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<DIV><FONT size=3>Hello,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>I've been in touch with Steve Thompson of LIncoln Park Zoo
about fencing protection for the most urban nesting colony of Black-crowned
Night-herons in America.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Steve said the zoo, Chicago Park District and
Illinois Department of Natural Resources officials have met and have agreed to
fence the nesting colony again this year to protect the birds from disturbance.
He noted that the fencing material will be more substantial than in prior years,
although he is not sure exactly what type will be used yet. The colony will be
monitored daily by LPZ staff.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>I am waiting for an answer about when the fence will be
erected. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Steve will provide final protocols for reporting incidents at
the BCNH rookery (human or dog disturbance, nestlings that have fallen, etc.)
and I will post them up to IBET and BCN.net. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>If you see problems, please e-mail me (<A
href="mailto:birdchris@aol.com">birdchris@aol.com</A>) or phone me
(773/415-5217) and I will pass concerns along ASAP. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Birders are asked to stay out of the fenced-in area, which I
think we all have been doing anyway. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Cross your fingers for mild weather, gentle breezes and lots
of small fish to insure the success of the 2012 nesting season for Chicago's
BCNH population.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Christine Williamson</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Chicago/Cook</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3><A
href="mailto:birdchris@aol.com">birdchris@aol.com</A></FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>