The Au Sable Institute, an environmental education organization, is
attempting to restore several acres of glacial outwash prairie on Whidbey
Island. Part of this process is removal of encroaching snowberry and other
woody plants.
I've convinced the site manager to stop all brush clearing activities
during the White-crowned Sparrow and Brewer's Blackbird nesting season.
Does anyone know of early date nesting and late date fledging recordsfor
these species in western Washington? He needs a window of time to do this
work.
There are plenty of other areas in the vicinity that support the
aforementioned birds. It's hoped that along with the native flowers and
grasses that some extirpated bird species like Western Bluebird can be
coaxed into returning to the island. This site is the last best chance for
this kind of restoration in the north sound area (there's another site on
the Olympic Peninsula that is much smaller). This will also be a haven for
butterfly species.
Thanks for any and all help with nesting records of WCSP and BRBL!
Steve Ellis
Coupeville, Wa
sellis at coup.wednet.edu