Subject: RE: Foster Creek WRA
Date: Oct 17 08:26:10 1994
From: Jerry Tangren - Jerry_Tangren at tfrec.ncw.net




Jim Elder <jime at eskimo.com> wrote

"Last week (October 8) I went out to Foster Creek near Bridgeport in
Douglas County. My hope was to see what gamebirds were present before
they were all shot this week (yesterday was opening day of hunting
season). To my surprise I found something rather different - namely
nothing. The upper part of the creek was entirely burnt. Furthermore, a
tractor or some sort of large machinery had gone over every inch of
ground very systematically as evidenced by the tracks. Large sections
were almost entirely lacking in any sign of vegetation, past or present.
In fact I wondered whether the area had been burnt deliberately for
clearing. Does anyone know? The lower part of the creek was unaffected
as was a very narrow strip (50 feet?) directly along the creek. It will
be interesting to see whether this continues to be a productive birding
site. Incidentally, in case you are wondering, there was one hen
pheasant in the narrow strip of vegetation near the head of the creek and
a large (30-40) covey of California Quail a couple miles down the creek
in the unaffected area.

Jim Elder, Seattle, WA"


This is in my backyard so I should be more aware of what is going on here,
but
I'm not. However, I know that the management of the Foster Creek area has
been
quite controversial over the last several years. About two years already
Andy
Stepniewski tried to get people excited about what was going on,
especially
to the creek bottom itself. The local Audubon chapter, NC WA Audubon, was
also
working on a challenge grant to do habitat improvement in the area. That I
think
flopped due to lack of interest--it would have required the chapter
providing
volunteer bodies--a little ambitious for a chapter in transition.

Jerry Tangren
Wenatchee WA