Hi Tweets-
On the issue of invasives creating habitat for certain species...

Yes, this is a very complicated issue. But please everyone keep in mind
that when non-native species invade a habitat, they eliminate the original
diversity of plant and animal life. The new crop of invasive plants may add
habitat for some species, but they certainly take away habitat for others.
Original animals and birds are squeezed out. Others move in that can adapt
to the change. Many of those are other non-native species.

This is a tough issue because it is hard to determine when human
intervention is a good thing and when we should let nature take its course.
I don't think it is unfortunate that our land management agencies are taking
a stand to help habitats control invasion from non-natives. This is
happening because over time we have learned that when we do nothing,
invasives can take over to a state beyond any control.

While nothing taken in extremes is a good thing - I don't think our agencies
are saying if it isn't native take it out. Habitat restoration is happening
is small, planned segments of targeted areas where we think we can make a
difference. They are doing this to save habitat for native species - which
I'm sure we all enjoy.

While I agree that judging when to intervene is complicated - I just don't
agree that it's a good thing to let invasives (brought here mostly by human
mistake - read "Tinkering with Eden - A Natural History of Exotic Species in
America" by Kim Todd) run rampant.

Happy spring birding-
Melissa Willoughby
Seattle
mawilloughby1 at comcast.net