MONITOR NEWS, October 2010

Restoration at Orland Grassland began in 2001 with contractors doing the “heavy lifting” and volunteers doing a variety of detail work: gathering and planting seeds, cutting brush in sensitive areas, and offering tours and events for the public. Last year a more ambitious 5-year management program began, as contractors hired by the Army Corps of Engineers removed drain tiles and additional invasives, stepped up the seeding of native forbs and grasses, and conducted controlled burns. Volunteer activity is more important than ever and continues under the energetic direction of site steward Pat Hayes.

This year the Grand Birding Event, organized by volunteer Jeanne Muellner, attracted 30 participants into the field in nine teams, each team led by an expert birder. Altogether the teams tallied 112 species of birds.  Among the teams was one led by Wes Serafin (behind the spotting scope), who birded at the Grassland long before restoration began and was one of those responsible for directing attention to the site. With Wes, are Lori Tucker, Robert Tucker, and Dave Carson.

Another team was headed up by John Staudinger (on the right), a veteran monitor at Orland. With John are Dick Thomas and Ron Blazek. Suzanne Koglin, formerly a regular monitor, headed a third team. Thanks to the tile removal, this spring’s count produced a lot of wetland birds, rarely seen at Orland in recent decades. Among the 112 species counted were Wilson’s phalarope, dunlin, and American bittern. Look for Orland Grassland to keep getting better and better!

[Bobolink and Birding Event photos by Jeanne Muellner. Yellow-breasted chat photo by Wes Serafin]