 |
 |
Hi all, Thanks Phil, My initial reaction is why doesn't MDC consider a grand restoration effort for Bachman's Sparrow and/or Swainson's Warbler, instead of focusing on a large mammal that will inevitably cause injury and even possibly death on Missouri's road ways? I like elk as well as anyone, but I question whether these large mammals should be reintroduced into a relatively small geographic area. We all know that MDC's effort in restoring giant Canada Geese and River Otters have been successful to a fault.... What if elk populations do half as well. What can we expect? And, being a bird advocate, a few hundred more Bachman's Sparrows in the state would be nice. $.02 worth.... Good birding, Greg Swick Ozark, MO On Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 11:53 AM, Philip Wire <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > MOBirders-- > > The Missouri Department of Conservation is currently considering > reintroducing a small population of elk into the eastern Ozarks in Shannon, > Carter, and Reynolds counties. There is a public comment period that ends > October 1st. Extensive woodland/savanna/glade restoration work has been done > in this area (benefitting many declining songbirds) and large grazers like > elk usually help that process along. Their presence would probably also > serve as an incentive to keep such efforts going. Here is a link to the page > with information as well as a place for the public to send in comments... > > http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/animal-management/elk-restoration > > Just my opinion... I did some surveys at Peck Ranch Conservation Area (in > the heart of the proposed range) over several days in the summer of 2007 as > part of a seasonal job and it was clear the MDC was taking restoration > seriously. They were doing lots to open up former glades and woodlands. > Given the role elk played in Missouri's landscape I think it would be a > definite step in the right direction. There was a less detailed elk > restoration plan that was shelved in the early 2000's due to concerns over > chronic wasting disease and damage to private property, but it seems this > plan addresses those issues pretty thoroughly. Check it out and comment one > way or the other if so inclined. > > Phil Wire > Bowling Green, Pike Co. > [log in to unmask] > > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum > ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ > > ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/