by Yvonne Homeyer

Existing projects are moving along nicely and new ones get added at every meeting. There is a lot of work to do!

Does anybody know where we can find a bobcat? I mean the equipment kind! We are discussing with Tower Grove Park officials the possibility of WGNSS making a small pond in the park to give birds a year-round water source and to create habitat for birds. Before we get final permission, we need to have a clear plan to present. The project will be much cheaper (and more feasible) if we can find someone to DONATE the use of a BOBCAT. Mike Flieg has volunteered to be the project coordinator and supervisor. Please contact Mike or Yvonne if you have any ideas on where we can find a Bobcat at a friendly price.

One new issue is a letter writing campaign that we are initiating to save some wetlands near the Gateway racetrack at Hwy. 203/70 in Illinois. The Corps of Engineers has issued Public Notice P-2167 asking for comments on the racetrack's proposal to DRAIN and FILL 150 acres of wetlands to become a parking lot. The area in question is to the west of (behind) the racetrack plus a small wetlands on the south end. Both areas are clearly visible from the highways. Wetlands are rapidly disappearing and species that depend on wetlands are on the decline. Common Moorhen, for example, was reported found only once all last summer. That used to seen regularly. Although mitigation requires that the landowner replace the wetlands taken for development with new wetlands, studies have shown that the new wetlands fail more than 50% of the time. There is land for sale directly across Hwy. 203 from the racetrack that could be purchased for parking. If you want to write a letter opposing the racetrack's plan, please send your comments by April 22 to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CELMS-CO-F, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Mo. 63103 and reference Public Notice P-2167. In addition, anyone who has any information about bird, butterfly and plant species seen in that area should notify Yvonne.

We are also initiating an educational campaign on the danger that tall buildings present to migrating birds. Most species migrate at night and the lights of buildings in their flight path confuse them, causing many to fly directly into the building. Of 5 billion birds migrating in North America, approximately 1 BILLION die or are injured every year by striking buildings. It is documented that 30,000 birds have hit the Chicago Trade Center alone over a 20 year period. A simple solution is to turn off the lights of buildings over 250 feet tall.

Our native wildflower project will be at the North County Recreational Area in cooperation with the St. Louis County Parks Dept. Special thanks to the Special School District students at Northview School who have generously donated 60 coneflower plants to our project. Contact Kraig Paradise for information about planting dates and how you can help. We also have permission put up a sign if we make it - any volunteers?

David Rabenau will be the WGNSS liaison to the Meramec Greenway Project. This is a 125-mile proposed greenway along the Meramec River and many counties and governmental agencies are involved. Dianne Benjamin continues to monitor the Little Creve Coeur Lake area, part of the Page Ave. Freeway mitigation area. Jim Malone is collecting information on birds and plants in that area. Our planting of new pine trees at Comfort Pines/ Busch is scheduled for fall. On May 15, we will plant millet and milo near Lake 24 at Busch to create a food source for wintering sparrows (and hopefully attract Harris's Sparrow). This summer we will be mapping Busch to show where certain bird species are breeding. This will provide data on sensitive areas for species that are in decline such as Bell's Vireo, Wood Thrush, Dickcissel and Cerulean Warbler.