[BCNnet] LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WETLANDS

[ryanwc]

Last year, we had a lot of kingfishers on the stretch of the North Branch
above my canoe launch.  I think there were 5 pairs between us and River
Park, about a 2.5 mile stretch.

This year, I've seen virtually no kingfishers, but we've had 6-8
Black-crowned Night Herons in the same stretch of river.

I'm wondering whether there's a relationship between these two facts.  I
looked in the Birder's Handbook, which tells me that B-C Night Herons will
eat the young of other herons on occasion.

Would the kingfishers avoid nesting near the feeding grounds of Black
Crowns?

Also, with so many herons in this short stretch of river, is it likely that
there's a small rookery on the river somewhere, or are they just flying in
from elsewhere?

Ryan Chew
Chicago River Canoe & Kayak


----- Original Message -----
From: "Judy Pollock" <bobolnk@ix.netcom.com>
To: <BCNnet@ece.iit.edu>
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2002 11:10 AM
Subject: [BCNnet] LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WETLANDS


>
> >
> >
> > Washington, D.C., July 24, 2002 - Audubon today hailed proposed
legislation
> > that would restore federal protection for millions of acres of wetlands
that
> > provide crucial habitat for birds and other wildlife.
> >
> > The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2002 seeks to remedy a
Supreme
> > Court decision last year that removed federal protection for "isolated"
> > wetlands across the United States. That decision said federal officials
> > could not rely on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act -- or the presence of
> > migrating birds -- as the sole factor when acting to protect wetlands
that
> > are separated from navigable waterways or other wetlands.
> >
> > "These wetlands are not isolated from wildlife, they are a haven for
birds,
> > and the Supreme Court decision seriously undercuts their protections,"
said
> > Bob Perciasepe, Audubon's Senior VP for Public Policy. "Millions of
birds
> > depend on isolated wetlands for their survival."
> >
> > More than half of the duck population produced each year in North
America
> > comes from breeding in isolated wetlands known as "prairie potholes,"
for
> > example. Prairie potholes provide vital habitat for hundreds of
> thousands of
> > migratory shorebirds and endangered species including piping plovers and
> bald
> > eagles. These wetlands are in danger of disappearing as more land is
used
> for
> > agriculture and development.
> >
> > Other types of isolated wetlands, such as bogs and playas, provide
crucial
> > habitat for shore birds, raptors, cranes and other migratory birds.
Isolated
> > wetlands, which are connected hydrologically to navigable waters, also
> filter
> > pollutants from surface run-off, removing pollutants before the water is
> > taken up by animals, birds and plants.
> >
> > The legislation was introduced today in the Senate by Sen. Russ Feingold
> > (D-Wis.) and in the House by Reps. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and John
Dingell
> > (D-Mich.).
>
>
>
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