I’m glad that Fond du Lac is a Bird City, as you see here: https://www.fdl.wi.gov/parks/bird-city-usa/ Thanks to Fdl City parks staff and to parks and habitat volunteers for making it happen.
I got this wonderful book for Christmas and am reading from it now.
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The bird feeder near the creek is busy this windy morning, with visits from House Finches of different red head shades, the loyal “black hat” Chickadees, and mom and dad Cardinal.
What does it mean to be a Bird City? The Fond du Lac section of Wisconsin’s Bird City website, https://birdcitywisconsin.org/bird-city/fonddulac , has the answers, all fascinating. Why do I bring this up here on my website where I’m asking people to vote for me for City Council? I bring it up because the Bird City standards must be shown every year, to maintain the recognition as a Bird City, and if elected I will be paying attention to that.
As you see from the Bird City website, the City was required to comply with Wisconsin “Smart Growth” law for land use and its Ag, Natural and Cultural Resource section which makes reference to local efforts in landscaping and floodplain mitigation, among other things.
Second, the City has provided the required bird monitoring or data obtained by researchers and volunteers doing bird counts in City parks.
Third, the City provided evidence that bird habitat has legal protection.
Fourth, the City documented that the City seeks to provide additional bird habitat, at Lakeside Park, Lakeside Park West, Brookfield Park (along the Creek – near me!), and along the west branch of the Fond du Lac River. The documentation also notes tree planting by the City, and other work going on for the benefit of birds in City parks.
Talk of bird habitat brings to mind that pesky subject of pesticides. But this is getting too long, and that will have to be the subject of another post.
Tom Schuessler for Fond du Lac City Council 