Portia wrote:

> Excuse my ignorance--I'm new to the upper northwest
> corner--but tell me about Scotch broom. What's wrong with it?

It's everywhere and difficult to dig up, phew, Jetty Island included.
Remember if you want to do something for Caspian Terns and the local
vegetation give John Flavin a call on 744 0805.

It spreads very easily, disturbed and well drained soils seem to be its
preferred habitat. The down side it that it grows really thick and chokes out
all other plants. On Jetty Island it is about 8 feet high so only a thin
carpet of grass is able to live underneath it.

In my experience its pretty sterile for birds, nothing nests in it - too
accessible to predators. And birds only occasionally forage in it. However it
is great for spiders, just go to Discovery Park on a dewy morning to see that.


Stuart MacKay