We have a chance to have our voices heard on a critical issue of national importance: proposed revisions by the Army Corps of Engineers to a series of nationwide permits governing the destruction of wetlands. Please write to the Corps and urge them to STRENGTHEN the proposed rules. A sample letter that just needs your signature and address is enclosed as an insert to this newsletter; the deadline is October 7. Over half of all endangered species live in wetlands, which are disappearing rapidly. We need tight controls to ensure the survival of the remaining wetlands and the plants, insects, butterflies, birds and animals that live in wetlands. There will be lots of letters from developers and other land users who want to loosen the regulations on wetland destruction, so let’s send our message loud and clear: SAVE OUR WETLANDS. Both the Audubon Society and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment have been active on this issue. For further information, those of you with Internet access can check out the web site for the Audubon Society’s Wetlands Campaign Action Alert at: http://www.audubon.org/campaign/wetland/. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR LETTER TODAY.

Dianne Benjamin has agreed to head up our new Legislative Taskforce, a subcommittee that will monitor federal and state legislation of interest to our members. We will keep you informed of pending bills so you can contact your elected representatives. If you would like to volunteer to help with the Legislative Taskforce, you may contact Dianne at 997-2419.

Several weeks ago, some WGNSS members birding the "Blue Grosbeak Trail" at the Weldon Spring CA (along Hwy. 94 before the turnoff to Hwy. D) noticed that trees and shrubs along the gravel trail were being cut down. The Committee then alerted officials at the Dept. of Conservation that this trail is a sensitive area because of the presence of Bell’s Vireos and Blue Grosbeaks. These two species have declined precipitously in number and Weldon Spring CA is one of the last places left in the St. Louis area where Bell’s Vireos and Blue Grosbeaks still nest. WGNSS received the following courteous reply from Mr. Mark Flaspohler, Wildlife Mangement Biologist of the Dept. of Conservation, St. Louis Region: "Thank you for your concern regarding various activities taking place on the Weldon Spring Conservation Area… I appreciate your sharing information regarding the Bell’s Vireo and Blue Grosbeak nest sites in this area. The map you provided is a big help and we will certainly stop cutting trees in that area. . . Information regarding nest site locations, which you have provided, is helpful and very much appreciated. Again, I appreciate your interest and concern regarding the Weldon Spring CA". We are grateful that the Dept. of Conservation was able to respond to our concern so quickly. Thanks to their prompt action, Bell’s Vireo and Blue Grosbeak will find their breeding site intact when they return in the spring.

This summer, WGNSS members Dave Becher, Dennis Bozzay, Mike Brady, Yvonne Homeyer, Jim & Charlene Malone, Anne McCormack, Jeannie Moe, Kevin Renick and David Rabenau conducted a breeding bird survey at Busch Wildlife (see the end of the Bird Report for more information). This data will serve as a baseline to measure increases or decreases in numbers of each species in the future. Woodland species such as Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ovenbird and Worm-eating Warbler were found in low numbers. Edge birds such as Chat, White-eyed Vireo and Indigo Bunting are doing very well. Bell’s Vireo, formerly found in several places in Busch, was found in only one location.

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