[mou] Hillside Rd. , Houston Co.: Birds,Ethics,Aesthetics

[fred lesher]

Hillside Rd. runs about 6 miles between the tiny
community of Reno at the west end of Dike 8 of the
Miss. R. and Co. Rd. 3, just west of Brownsville. 

Birding includes access to Dorer Hardwood Forest and
snowmobile/horse trails into habitat still attractive
to nesting Cerulean Warblers, Veerys, & Wood Thrush,
not to mention Wild Turkeys & Ruffed Grouse. Countable
numbers of raptors pass over this route near the River
in the fall. Countless numbers of waterfowl are
visible passing overhead spring & fall.

Ethics includes how property along this road is cared
for by private owners and how the forest is managed by
the state. Over the years, I have become acquainted
with some owners and foresters. Squirrel, deer, &
turkey hunters access this area heavily. How are
birders represented in maintaining their interests in
Houston Co. and its non-game birds?

Aesthetics includes the fact that the rural aspect and
agricultural use of the lands along Hillside Rd.
combine with elevated views of the Mississipi River to
the east and the wooded hills to the west to create
scenery that is still essentially 19th century. Is it
possible to retain some of that scenery? Does anyone
want to? Is "scenery" part of birding? 

Are birders/birdwatchers and MOU interested in
participating in creating a "big picture" of Houston
Co.? Presuming so, how is that picture presented
within & without the birding "community" and MOU? If
not, why not?

When do birders define what they do and what they
value?

Fred Lesher, LaCrosse, Wisconsin


	
		
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail