Over the summer, several WGNSS members participated in a breeding bird survey at Busch Wildlife. Thanks to Dave Becher, Dennis Bozzay, Mike Brady, Anne McCormack, Jim & Charlene Malone, David Rabenau and Kevin Renick. Woodland/forest species such as Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird andYellow-billed Cuckoo were found in only a few places. Chat, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, and Indigo Bunting were well-represented in their field/edge habitat. Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosbeak, and Bewick’s Wren were not located at all, although all 3 species formerly nested in Busch. Only one Bell’s Vireo was found. Cooper’s Hawks were found in several areas in good numbers. This data is being compiled by Jim Ziebol so we can share it with Busch Wildlife officials and monitor the birds on an annual basis.

A 30,000 acre tract of wetlands is in danger in southeast Missouri. Once the subject of a proposal to protect it as a national wildlife refuge, this wetlands is now the subject of a Corps of Engineers project, known as the New Madrid Floodway project, to DRAIN it. Nearby Big Oak Tree State Park will be negatively impacted. Please express your opinion by writing to Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt, Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (132 Cannon, Washington, D.C. 20515), Senator Kit Bond (274 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510 ), Senator John Ashcroft (Hart Senate Office Bldg., Room 316, Washington, D.C. 20510).

Several of you wrote as individuals to Dept. of Conservation officials regarding concerns over the proposed timbercuts in the Weldon Spring forest near Busch Wildlife. Jack Harris and I, along with other committee members, will continue to express our concerns to the Dept. of Conservation on behalf of WGNSS.

Concerning the Columbia Bottom proposal, Jack Harris and Rad Widmer attended the public hearing at Powder Valley. Our main concern is that the present proposal now calls for leaving 50% of the acquired 4300 acres in crops. We think a better use would be to allow some variety of vegetation to grow back; this would provide habitat for wildlife as well. If you want to obtain a copy of the proposal or offer your input, write to: Daniel Zekor, Policy Coordination Supervisor, Dept. of Conservation, P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102-0180.

Lost Valley Trail continues to be one of a handful of breeding locations in the St. Louis area for the Cerulean Warbler. Doug Corbett, 1^st Vice President, is participating in a national study of the decline of the Cerulean Warbler sponsored by the ornithology department at Cornell University. When some members of WGNSS noticed that sycamores along the trail had been marked with red paint, the Committee asked for clarification from the Dept. of Conservation officials at Busch, who have assured us that there are no plans to cut these trees down.

Over the summer, Dianne Benjamin worked hard to ensure that a section of the Page Avenue mitigation land, set aside for wildlife purposes, was not changed to recreational use. Dianne communicated WGNSS’s point of view to members of the St. Louis County Council, County Parks Dept. and Maryland Heights Planning Commission. WGNSS, along with other groups, was successful in defeating a proposal that would have allowed radio-controlled model airplanes to encroach upon a wildlife area. Congratulations, Dianne. Meanwhile, Jim & Charlene Malone continue to monitor the birds at Little Creve Coeur Lake, part of the mitigation land.

David Rabenau, Sue Gustafson and Yvonne Homeyer conducted surveys of birds, butterflies and plants this summer at the request of the St. Louis County Parks Dept. Areas surveyed included Hunter’s Ford, Lower Meramec State Park, and the prairie at Greensfelder Park.

Our wildflower project at the North County Recreation Area is a success, thanks to the dedication of Kraig Paradise who selected and planted the native Missouri species. Visitors to our garden can see 3 kinds of Coneflower, Butterfly weed, Common Mildweed, Joe-Pye weed, Mountain Mint, New England and White Heath Aster, Blazing Star, Ironweed, Black-eyed Susan, and more. The only thing lacking is a SIGN letting the public know about WGNSS! Is there a volunteer lurking among our readers?

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