Birders and other friends, Most of you are aware that the famous migrant trap, the Last Chance Oasis, suffered from the June 2012 wildfire. Last November birders joined local folks and held a clean-up day there to show our appreciation for the generous and open access we have enjoyed for decades at this birdy site. Although many shrubs and trees are bouncing back, lots of trees and grassy slopes were burned black, burned down and won't be coming back.
Yesterday, April 6th, an even dozen birders*, tools in hand, joined members of the Woodlin Lions Club to help mitigate habitat losses from the fire. A lot got done, and we also strengthened friendships among us birders and local residents. Johnny Miller, whose grandfather pioneered the area, helped out. Lois Scott, local news reporter, delighted us with tales of the old days. What we did: 1) We prepared the soil and broadcast over a wide area a custom blend of native grasses (switchgrass, both big and little bluestem, side-oats and blue grama) and wildflowers (yarrow and prairie coneflower). 2) We planted over 100 fruit-bearing bare-root shrubs, e.g., sumac, sand cherry, chokecherry, native plum, and trees in containers such as Hackberry, Rocky Mountain Juniper, and even a few oaks. Each of these was planted with a fertilizer pellet and was surrounded by rabbit-resistant mesh, and supported by small bamboo poles. Hundreds of feet of a drip irrigation system were laid out to water each plant and give them a chance during the dry summer. 3) Big piles of downed and burned limbs were sorted into smaller branches (deemed a fire hazard and hauled off at Mr. Miller's request) and larger limbs that we set aside as artists' materials. In late May, eco-artist *Lynne Hull*** and Colorado University Boulder art students will repurpose these as only artists know how to do. What will that look like? Come out in June and see! They will also fabricate a naturalistic Bat House, a Kestrel box and a Barn Owl box to be placed under the bridge. Illustrative of the project are nice photos taken by Tom Wilberding at this link... http://bit.ly/ZGyT98 **** The noon we enjoyed a big pot-luck lunch and social hour, then it was back to work. We realize that not everything we planted will thrive and turn the place into Sherwood Forest overnight! But we do hope that 75% will become established... and there is always next Spring to replant if need be. None of this could have happened without the big water tank local caretaker *Jim Kleinschmidt* will place on the west slope of the Oasis, keep filled with water from his deep well and supply the drip irrigation system until plants get established, which will take years for some of the trees. What a guy! Birders are also very grateful to: *Rose Cronk*, Woodlin School Superintendent, a horticultural expert who tirelessly gathered all the supplies and energetically led the group by her example. *Noe Marymore*, a habitat specialist with RMBO and NRCS, who gave us needed professional input. Landowner *Johnny Miller *and other Lions like Ken Cronk. *Tom Thompson*, pastor at the Howard Methodist Church at Last Chance, the effective community leader who helped us all get together in the first place. (Pardon me if I left someone's name out inadvertently). The project could not have happened without a generous grant from the DFO and checks from over 15 birders and tour groups to defray the cost of materials. We are close to our goal of $1,500 now. And finally, watch for an article about the history, birds and people of Last Chance in this month's *Colorado Birds*, the CFO quarterly. *Birders who participated were: Chuck Hundertmark, Tom Wilberding, Edie Israel, Kevin Corwin, Betsy Shaw, Doug Kibbe, Lisa Edward, Maggie Boswell, Tina Jones, Gwen Moore and Paul Slingsby ** (examples of Lynne Hull's work can be seen at http://www.google.com/search?q=lynne+hull+eco+artist&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=zNhhUeOYApG6qQGPpIGoBw&ved=0CEsQsAQ&biw=1989&bih=1228 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
