The results of the first annual Breeding Bird Survey at Busch CA have been compiled and sent to officials at Busch CA, along with detailed maps showing species locations and numbers found. These results give us baseline data to measure against in future years and have helped us identify 7 key, sensitive areas (5 in Busch CA and 2 nearby) where certain species in decline are presently found. Highlights of the survey are:

1. Edge birds such as Chat, Indigo Bunting, Yellowthroat, Warbling Vireo, and Yellow Warbler are thriving in Busch.

2. Non-woodland birds such as Bell’s Vireo, Willow Flycatcher, N. Parula, and Blue-winged Warbler were in low numbers in Busch despite available habitat. Bell’s Vireo used to be found in certain areas of Busch with regularity.

3. Woodland birds such as Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Worm-eating Warbler were found in very low numbers in Busch. Just a few years ago, when the Busch CA bird list was updated, these birds were much more common.

4. The following species were not found at all in Busch: Black-billed Cuckoo, Red-headed Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren, Cerulean Warbler, Redstart, Prothonotary Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Dickcissel, and Blue Grosbeak. All of these species used to be regular nesters as recently as 5 years ago.

5. Blue Grosbeak was found only at Weldon Spring CA. Bell’s Vireo was also found there.

Five sensitive areas were noted within Busch CA: Dardenne Creek, Kraut Run, Archery Range, Lake 35/south end, and Lakes 22/23/24, in addition to Weldon Spring CA and Lost Valley Trail CA. Anyone who would like more information may contact Yvonne Homeyer.

Jim Malone has been monitoring the Little Creve Coeur Lake property, which is part of the mitigated land involved in the Page Avenue Freeway project. A small marsh located behind the Athletic Association soccer fields, formerly off limits, has proved to be an outstanding habitat for rails. This fall, Black Rail, Virginia Rail, Sora, and Common Moorhen have all been found there, along with Leconte’s Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Avocets, Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitchers and other shorebirds. Dianne Benjamin, David Rabenau and other committee members are working with St. Louis County Parks Dept. officials to ensure that this habitat is preserved in its present condition.

Our Legislative Task Force would like to build a telephone and/or email tree to alert WGNSS members when immediate action on state or federal legislation is needed. If you would like to be contacted either by telephone or by email, please call Dianne Benjamin.

We anticipate that 2 bills that came dangerously close to passing this past session in the Missouri Legislature will be reintroduced again in January. One bill would insulate the Dept. of Conservation from the standard referendum initiative that requires only a simple majority to pass. This initiative was recently used successfully by Missouri voters to ban cockfighting. As a result, certain forces would like to prevent this from happening again on other issues and are lobbying to require a 2/3 majority on any referendum initiative put on the ballot affecting the Dept. of Conservation. Another measure would prohibit the U. S. government from acquiring any land in Missouri without obtaining the approval of the Missouri legislature. Attention drawn to the pollution problems caused by large- scale pig and chicken "farms" (also known as CAFOs, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) may result in bills attempting to regulate these operations. When the Governor’s Chip Mill Advisory Committee finishes its report soon, there is likely to be legislation introduced on the chip mill issue. We will keep you posted on these and other environmentally related bills.

We encourage you to look into the name of your State Representative and State Senator. If you do not know, you can call your local Board of Election Commissioners to find out. Those of you on the Internet can access the Missouri House and Senate websites to contact your legislators, track bills, etc. (http://www.house.state.mo.us & http://www.senate.state.mo.us). For federal issues, here is information on how to contact our Senators and Congressmen: Sen. John Ashcroft, Room 316, Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D. C. 20510/(202)224-6154; Sen. Kit Bond, 274 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D. C. 20510/(202) 224-5721; Rep. William Clay, 2306 Rayburn HOB, Washington, D. C. 20515/(202)225-2406; Rep. Richard Gephardt, 1226 Longworth HOB, Washington, D. C. 20515/(202)225-2671; and Rep. Jim Talent, 1022 Longworth HOB, Washington, D. C. 20515/(202)225-2561.

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