Trump Administration Announces $256 Million in Construction Projects Approved for National Parks
GW: Ambitious to say the least. Just wish we really had the money.
Approved projects will repair and rehabilitate aging National Park Service infrastructure
WASHINGTON— Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced more than $256 million in approved funding to rebuild critical national park infrastructure. The list includes projects like the repair of the Arlington Memorial Bridge in D.C., the visitor access upgrade at Herring Cove Beach at the Cape Cod National Seashore, and the rehabilitation of the Elkmont Waste Water System at Great Smoky Mountains National Park—dire maintenance and repair needs that contribute to the $11.6 billion backlog currently facing the nation’s national parks.
Roads, bridges, trails, water systems and visitor centers—even bathrooms, campgrounds and drinking fountains—are all part of this critical, but often unnoticed, infrastructure framework. In 2017, 330 million people visited the 417 NPS sites across the country. The NPS ?completed over $650 million in maintenance and repair work in Fiscal Year 2017, but aging facilities, high visitation, and resource constraints have kept the maintenance backlog between $11 billion and $12 billion since 2010.
“The President is a builder, he loves to build and he loves our National Parks, so it is a natural fit that the Administration is dedicating so much attention to rebuilding our aging parks infrastructure. These approved projects are more than just line items on an Excel spreadsheet. They have a tangible effect on a person’s experience when visiting our nation’s parks,” said Zinke. “Today’s announcement is another step toward eliminating the more than $11 billion in maintenance facing the National Park Service. It’s another step toward prioritizing infrastructure because it is an investment that bolsters local economies and gateway communities. And it is another step in prioritizing access for all Americans to our public lands.”
Secretary Zinke has made tackling Interior’s deferred maintenance backlog one of his top priorities. In April, he signed an memorandum of understanding committing Interior to follow President Trump’s One Federal Decision framework for processing of environmental reviews and permits for major infrastructure projects. In March, Interior announced the Secretary’s partnership with Congress on a bipartisan bill to address rebuild and repair National Park Service infrastructure.
Approved Fiscal Year 2018 National Park Service construction projects:
Unit
Project Title
State
Total
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Repair Arlington Memorial Bridge.
DC
$18,200,000
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Restore Jefferson Roof and Portico.
DC
$21,371,000
Lowell National Historical Park
Replace Unsafe and Inefficient Windows of Boott Mill Museum.
MA
$4,177,000
Cape Cod National Seashore
Upgrade Visitor Access at Herring Cove Beach.
MA
$5,442,000
Yellowstone National Park
Rehab and Seismic Retrofit of Mammoth Hotel Guest Room Wings.
WY
$21,264,000
Fort Point National Historic Site
Repair Leaks in North Barbette Tier and Repoint Brick Masonry at Fort Point.
CA
$5,996,000
Channel Islands National Park
Replace Anacapa Stiff-Leg Derrick Crane with Two-Crane System.
CA
$3,922,000
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Replace Plaza Paver System and Rehabilitate Visitor Center.
SD
$8,937,000
Vicksburg National Military Park
Stabilize Railroad Redoubt Earthworks.
MS
$5,909,000
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Construct Electrical Intertie to Falls Creek Hydro Project – Renewable Energy & Sustainability.
AK
$7,545,000
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Rehabilitate Elkmont Waste Water System.
TN
$2,594,000
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Rehabilitate Visitor Center for Access, Safety, and Energy Efficiency.
PA
$10,030,000
Old Santa Fe Trail Building
Rehab Building for Seismic, Rehab Exterior Envelope and Historic Elements.
NM
$2,822,000
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Replace Water Intake Barge with Shoreline Wells at Katherine Landing to Ensure Reliable Water Supply.
AZ
$1,976,000
Death Valley National Park
Restore Flood-Damaged Historic Scotty’s Castle Visitor Center.
CA
$5,394,000
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Replace Old/Failing Primary Electrical Distribution Infrastructure.
NM
$3,432,000
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Shore Road Monetary Settlement.
NC
$35,200,000
Mammoth Cave National Park
Reconstruct Unsafe Cave Trail Along Grand Avenue Tour Between Snowball and Grand Central.
KY
$13,894,000
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
Stabilize Ellis Island Seawall – Phase III.
NY
$33,021,000
National Capital Regional Office
Rehabilitate National Mall and Memorial Parks, US Park Police, and Regional Office Campus.
DC
$11,807,000
Yosemite National Park
Rehabilitate Wawona Wastewater Treatment Plant.
CA
$21,578,000
Glacier National Park
Rebuild/Reconstruct Sperry Chalet.
MT
$12,000,000
Textron Off Road Introduces the All-New Prowler™ Pro
A true, whisper-quiet workhorse for the farm or hunt camp
AUGUSTA, GA — Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and its Textron Off Road brand continue to innovate the company’s off-road vehicle lineup with the introduction of the all-new, pure-utility Prowler Pro. Built in Thief River Falls, Minn. by the company known for precision engineering that fuels adventurers and hard workers all over the world, the Prowler Pro offers quiet gas power and unmatched reliability to tackle the toughest jobs and handle the most-extreme hunts.
“Textron Off Road focused on the driver experience when developing the new Prowler Pro,” said John Collins, Vice President, Consumer for Textron Specialized Vehicles. “The legacy of Textron, a leader in design and production of combat vehicles, military helicopters and advanced marine craft trusted to keep our warfighters safe, has been built into this vehicle making it a formidable work partner.” Read more
FireDisc® Cookers to Giveaway Ultimate Alaska Fishing Trip for Two
June, 2018… FireDisc® Cookers, the new leader in innovative and convenient portable propane outdoor cooking solutions, has partnered with Alaska Rainbow Lodge to giveaway an all-expenses-paid fishing trip for two in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. In addition to participating in a world-class fishing expedition, the winner will take home two FireDisc® Deep 36-inch Fireman Red portable outdoor propane cookers. No purchase is necessary to win and the online entry form is easy to complete. Read more
Winnebago Acquires Chris-Craft
FOREST CITY, Iowa (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WGO), a leading outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer, today announced that it has acquired Chris-Craft, an iconic recreational boat builder, from Stellican Ltd., which has owned Chris-Craft since 2001. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
With a brand heritage that dates back to 1874, Chris-Craft is an industry leader in recreational boating craftsmanship and quality. The business is poised to leverage its strong brand reputation and drive future growth through the introduction of new models and product lines, category extension opportunities supported by increased production capacity and expanded dealer reach. Read more
Comment Sought on Plan to Divert Water from Great Lakes Basin
The Great Lakes Compact Council and the Great Lakes Regional Body are seeking public feedback on draft updates to the procedures for reviewing requests to divert water from the Great Lakes Basin. The compact is federal law that governs the use of water in the Great Lakes watershed. The compact council and regional body are accepting comments through June 21, at 4:30 p.m.
Under the compact, diversions of water out of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin are generally prohibited. However, the compact identifies limited circumstances under which diversion may be allowed. In some instances, before a diversion proposal can be approved, it must undergo review by the regional body and may require approval by the compact council. The draft updates are strictly procedural and would not modify the compact’s basic terms. Read more
Michigan: fire danger increasing across the Upper Peninsula
Firefighters with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be cautious with fire, as predicted weather conditions suitable for wildfires have heightened fire danger across the Upper Peninsula.
All areas west of a line from the Huron Mountains south to Stephenson are expected to experience extreme fire danger today. Over the next couple of days, very high fire danger is expected at least through Saturday, and possibly beyond, depending upon the significance of rainfall forecast for Saturday night.
The remainder of the U.P., east of the line, will experience very high fire danger. Read more
Three Michigan state parks to offer water parks this summer
These three floating playgrounds are fun for the whole family. Many of the courses include a series of connected inflatable slides, runways, jumping pillows and bouncers that are suitable for both kids and adults (age and height restrictions apply). There is an additional fee and reservations are recommended.
All three water parks will open May 25 and include:
- Water Warrior Island is located on Lake Michigamme in Van Riper State Park in Marquette County. This floating playground includes 20-foot water slides, rock climbing walls, trampolines, floating walkways and a ninja-warrior-like obstacle course.
- Jump Island situated on Bishop Lake within the Brighton Recreation Area in Livingston County, offers the “ultimate inflatable water park experience.” The water course includes an inflatable iceberg, inflatable slides, runways and other obstacles that give visitors the ability to balance, walk, run or slide on water.
- The WhoaZone on Heron Beach is located at the Holly Recreation Area in Oakland County. The course offers four different routes with four different challenge levels – from easy up to challenging. Visitors can climb, jump, crawl and slide on the gigantic springboard, semi-circle step, the wiggle bridge, half-pipe and more.
Check out a cool video on the water parks.
Ticket and reservation information, rules, height requirements and hours of operation vary between each individual attraction. Links to the three water park websites, a short video and a map can be found at michigan.gov/DNRwaterparks.
A Recreation Passport is required for entry into most state parks, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state trailheads.
Contact: Mike Donnelly, 810-229-6566 (Brighton Recreation Area); Shawn Speaker, 248-634-8811 (Holly Recreation Area) or Doug Barry, 906-339-4461 (Van Riper State Park)
Michigan: Reclamation project will improve, restore Island Lake State Recreation Area
As a result of a mineral lease signed Tuesday with Spring Mill Reclamation, LLC, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources now can move forward on a long-awaited effort to improve and restore a significant portion of Island Lake State Recreation Area in Livingston County.
The reclamation project site involves a 540-acre former gravel mine in the state park south of Spring Mill Pond in Green Oak Township. The site consists of a large, open area scattered with old spoil piles and mining debris.
Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said the 10-year lease will facilitate the restoration of the site’s native grassland habitat that will benefit grassland-dependent songbirds and other wildlife species. The project includes the removal of mining debris, sand and gravel to make way for the ultimate restoration of a mix of hilly and flat terrain, primarily planted for native prairie.
“This restoration project has been on the horizon since 2014 when we began looking into creative ways to fund this cleanup and enhancement at Island Lake State Recreation Area,” said Olson. “The DNR is proud to have the opportunity to improve and expand access to public outdoor recreation opportunities in southern Michigan through this agreement.” Read more
Springtime Birds and Bugs
By Glen Wunderlich
Our recent warming period has brought with it some perennial inhabitants that can torment any person full of springtime exuberance: black flies. Typically seen during the month of April, these annoying pests emerged a bit behind schedule and are with us now. They will buzz about one’s face and upper body where females seek a meal of blood for egg development. There’s little that can be done to eliminate them, but head nets without eye holes work great. Long-sleeve shirts and DEET insecticide can also provide protection. But, these pesky critters will find a way to skin through small openings, so beware.
The bites of black flies cause different reactions in humans, ranging from a small puncture wound, where the original blood meal was taken, to a swelling that can be the size of a golf ball. “Black fly fever” can result and include symptoms of headache, nausea, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
On a lighter note, Michigan’s migratory birds are showing up in waves of warm air. Most recently, white-crowned sparrows
white-crowned_sparrow
have found one of my feeding sites, where seed is spread in the straw of white pines. The tiny migrants wouldn’t stand a chance competing with bullies such a common grackles and red-winged blackbirds at a typical feeder, but given some space, will forage right along with others. With northern ranges of Alaska, Manitoba and east to Labrador and Newfoundland, they’ll be here just long enough to stock up on nutrition before the next leg of their arduous journey.
Another sparrow variety seen within the past few weeks has been the fox sparrow. Larger than our house sparrows, they are boldly striped with a rich rufous markings including a bright tail. They are well-suited for scratching in the pine straw and can be singled out from similar birds by their foraging technique alone.
Technology has advanced to the point that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has developed a website called BirdCast,” said Michigan bird conservation coordinator Caleb Putnam. “The site gives you real-time information about the bird migration that’s occurring in your backyard. It’s a great tool for planning your birding trips.”
Using the U.S. NEXRAD weather surveillance radar network, BirdCast can detect large concentrations of migrating birds by sensing the water in the birds’ bodies. Because many birds migrate at night, checking the radar at night is a good time to see if birds are headed your way.
The Cornell Laboratory of Birds “All About Birds” website is a great source for bird identification tips and song samples.
Birding doesn’t necessarily require a lot of equipment, but good binoculars – and not the compact models – can make identification more likely. Of course, a field guide small enough to tote is helpful, too. Smart phones or cameras can be used to capture images and with today’s technology, can be used to magnify details, thus making for more enjoyable ventures afield.
Where Big Ethanol is King, Many Prefer Ethanol-Free Gas
Report: More ethanol-free fuel sold in Iowa than E15 and all flex fuels combined
DES MOINES, Iowa, May 3, 2018 – Even in Iowa, it appears many Hawkeye State residents aren’t fond of ethanol fuels mandated by the federal government’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
A report from the Iowa Department of Revenue shows that ethanol-free gas (E0) is a more popular fuel choice than E15 (15 percent ethanol) and all flex fuels (E20, E85) combined, with Iowans purchasing more than 200 million gallons of E0 fuel in 2016.
That’s more fuel that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) projects the entire US will be able to use in the near future while still satisfying growing annual biofuel obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Read more
GW: Ambitious to say the least. Just wish we really had the money.
Approved projects will repair and rehabilitate aging National Park Service infrastructure
WASHINGTON— Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced more than $256 million in approved funding to rebuild critical national park infrastructure. The list includes projects like the repair of the Arlington Memorial Bridge in D.C., the visitor access upgrade at Herring Cove Beach at the Cape Cod National Seashore, and the rehabilitation of the Elkmont Waste Water System at Great Smoky Mountains National Park—dire maintenance and repair needs that contribute to the $11.6 billion backlog currently facing the nation’s national parks.
Roads, bridges, trails, water systems and visitor centers—even bathrooms, campgrounds and drinking fountains—are all part of this critical, but often unnoticed, infrastructure framework. In 2017, 330 million people visited the 417 NPS sites across the country. The NPS ?completed over $650 million in maintenance and repair work in Fiscal Year 2017, but aging facilities, high visitation, and resource constraints have kept the maintenance backlog between $11 billion and $12 billion since 2010.
“The President is a builder, he loves to build and he loves our National Parks, so it is a natural fit that the Administration is dedicating so much attention to rebuilding our aging parks infrastructure. These approved projects are more than just line items on an Excel spreadsheet. They have a tangible effect on a person’s experience when visiting our nation’s parks,” said Zinke. “Today’s announcement is another step toward eliminating the more than $11 billion in maintenance facing the National Park Service. It’s another step toward prioritizing infrastructure because it is an investment that bolsters local economies and gateway communities. And it is another step in prioritizing access for all Americans to our public lands.”
Secretary Zinke has made tackling Interior’s deferred maintenance backlog one of his top priorities. In April, he signed an memorandum of understanding committing Interior to follow President Trump’s One Federal Decision framework for processing of environmental reviews and permits for major infrastructure projects. In March, Interior announced the Secretary’s partnership with Congress on a bipartisan bill to address rebuild and repair National Park Service infrastructure.
Approved Fiscal Year 2018 National Park Service construction projects:
| Unit | Project Title | State | Total |
| George Washington Memorial Parkway | Repair Arlington Memorial Bridge. | DC | $18,200,000 |
| National Mall and Memorial Parks | Restore Jefferson Roof and Portico. | DC | $21,371,000 |
| Lowell National Historical Park | Replace Unsafe and Inefficient Windows of Boott Mill Museum. | MA | $4,177,000 |
| Cape Cod National Seashore | Upgrade Visitor Access at Herring Cove Beach. | MA | $5,442,000 |
| Yellowstone National Park | Rehab and Seismic Retrofit of Mammoth Hotel Guest Room Wings. | WY | $21,264,000 |
| Fort Point National Historic Site | Repair Leaks in North Barbette Tier and Repoint Brick Masonry at Fort Point. | CA | $5,996,000 |
| Channel Islands National Park | Replace Anacapa Stiff-Leg Derrick Crane with Two-Crane System. | CA | $3,922,000 |
| Mount Rushmore National Memorial | Replace Plaza Paver System and Rehabilitate Visitor Center. | SD | $8,937,000 |
| Vicksburg National Military Park | Stabilize Railroad Redoubt Earthworks. | MS | $5,909,000 |
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Construct Electrical Intertie to Falls Creek Hydro Project – Renewable Energy & Sustainability. | AK | $7,545,000 |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Rehabilitate Elkmont Waste Water System. | TN | $2,594,000 |
| Valley Forge National Historical Park | Rehabilitate Visitor Center for Access, Safety, and Energy Efficiency. | PA | $10,030,000 |
| Old Santa Fe Trail Building | Rehab Building for Seismic, Rehab Exterior Envelope and Historic Elements. | NM | $2,822,000 |
| Lake Mead National Recreation Area | Replace Water Intake Barge with Shoreline Wells at Katherine Landing to Ensure Reliable Water Supply. | AZ | $1,976,000 |
| Death Valley National Park | Restore Flood-Damaged Historic Scotty’s Castle Visitor Center. | CA | $5,394,000 |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | Replace Old/Failing Primary Electrical Distribution Infrastructure. | NM | $3,432,000 |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | North Shore Road Monetary Settlement. | NC | $35,200,000 |
| Mammoth Cave National Park |
Reconstruct Unsafe Cave Trail Along Grand Avenue Tour Between Snowball and Grand Central. |
KY | $13,894,000 |
| Statue Of Liberty National Monument | Stabilize Ellis Island Seawall – Phase III. | NY | $33,021,000 |
| National Capital Regional Office | Rehabilitate National Mall and Memorial Parks, US Park Police, and Regional Office Campus. | DC | $11,807,000 |
| Yosemite National Park | Rehabilitate Wawona Wastewater Treatment Plant. | CA | $21,578,000 |
| Glacier National Park | Rebuild/Reconstruct Sperry Chalet. | MT | $12,000,000 |
Textron Off Road Introduces the All-New Prowler™ Pro
A true, whisper-quiet workhorse for the farm or hunt camp
AUGUSTA, GA — Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and its Textron Off Road brand continue to innovate the company’s off-road vehicle lineup with the introduction of the all-new, pure-utility Prowler Pro. Built in Thief River Falls, Minn. by the company known for precision engineering that fuels adventurers and hard workers all over the world, the Prowler Pro offers quiet gas power and unmatched reliability to tackle the toughest jobs and handle the most-extreme hunts.
“Textron Off Road focused on the driver experience when developing the new Prowler Pro,” said John Collins, Vice President, Consumer for Textron Specialized Vehicles. “The legacy of Textron, a leader in design and production of combat vehicles, military helicopters and advanced marine craft trusted to keep our warfighters safe, has been built into this vehicle making it a formidable work partner.” Read more
FireDisc® Cookers to Giveaway Ultimate Alaska Fishing Trip for Two
June, 2018… FireDisc® Cookers, the new leader in innovative and convenient portable propane outdoor cooking solutions, has partnered with Alaska Rainbow Lodge to giveaway an all-expenses-paid fishing trip for two in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. In addition to participating in a world-class fishing expedition, the winner will take home two FireDisc® Deep 36-inch Fireman Red portable outdoor propane cookers. No purchase is necessary to win and the online entry form is easy to complete. Read more
Winnebago Acquires Chris-Craft
With a brand heritage that dates back to 1874, Chris-Craft is an industry leader in recreational boating craftsmanship and quality. The business is poised to leverage its strong brand reputation and drive future growth through the introduction of new models and product lines, category extension opportunities supported by increased production capacity and expanded dealer reach. Read more
Comment Sought on Plan to Divert Water from Great Lakes Basin
Under the compact, diversions of water out of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin are generally prohibited. However, the compact identifies limited circumstances under which diversion may be allowed. In some instances, before a diversion proposal can be approved, it must undergo review by the regional body and may require approval by the compact council. The draft updates are strictly procedural and would not modify the compact’s basic terms. Read more
Michigan: fire danger increasing across the Upper Peninsula
Firefighters with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be cautious with fire, as predicted weather conditions suitable for wildfires have heightened fire danger across the Upper Peninsula.
All areas west of a line from the Huron Mountains south to Stephenson are expected to experience extreme fire danger today. Over the next couple of days, very high fire danger is expected at least through Saturday, and possibly beyond, depending upon the significance of rainfall forecast for Saturday night.
The remainder of the U.P., east of the line, will experience very high fire danger. Read more
Three Michigan state parks to offer water parks this summer
These three floating playgrounds are fun for the whole family. Many of the courses include a series of connected inflatable slides, runways, jumping pillows and bouncers that are suitable for both kids and adults (age and height restrictions apply). There is an additional fee and reservations are recommended.
All three water parks will open May 25 and include:
- Water Warrior Island is located on Lake Michigamme in Van Riper State Park in Marquette County. This floating playground includes 20-foot water slides, rock climbing walls, trampolines, floating walkways and a ninja-warrior-like obstacle course.
- Jump Island situated on Bishop Lake within the Brighton Recreation Area in Livingston County, offers the “ultimate inflatable water park experience.” The water course includes an inflatable iceberg, inflatable slides, runways and other obstacles that give visitors the ability to balance, walk, run or slide on water.
- The WhoaZone on Heron Beach is located at the Holly Recreation Area in Oakland County. The course offers four different routes with four different challenge levels – from easy up to challenging. Visitors can climb, jump, crawl and slide on the gigantic springboard, semi-circle step, the wiggle bridge, half-pipe and more.
Check out a cool video on the water parks.
Ticket and reservation information, rules, height requirements and hours of operation vary between each individual attraction. Links to the three water park websites, a short video and a map can be found at michigan.gov/DNRwaterparks.
A Recreation Passport is required for entry into most state parks, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state trailheads.
Contact: Mike Donnelly, 810-229-6566 (Brighton Recreation Area); Shawn Speaker, 248-634-8811 (Holly Recreation Area) or Doug Barry, 906-339-4461 (Van Riper State Park)
Michigan: Reclamation project will improve, restore Island Lake State Recreation Area
As a result of a mineral lease signed Tuesday with Spring Mill Reclamation, LLC, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources now can move forward on a long-awaited effort to improve and restore a significant portion of Island Lake State Recreation Area in Livingston County.
The reclamation project site involves a 540-acre former gravel mine in the state park south of Spring Mill Pond in Green Oak Township. The site consists of a large, open area scattered with old spoil piles and mining debris.
Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said the 10-year lease will facilitate the restoration of the site’s native grassland habitat that will benefit grassland-dependent songbirds and other wildlife species. The project includes the removal of mining debris, sand and gravel to make way for the ultimate restoration of a mix of hilly and flat terrain, primarily planted for native prairie.
“This restoration project has been on the horizon since 2014 when we began looking into creative ways to fund this cleanup and enhancement at Island Lake State Recreation Area,” said Olson. “The DNR is proud to have the opportunity to improve and expand access to public outdoor recreation opportunities in southern Michigan through this agreement.” Read more
Springtime Birds and Bugs
By Glen Wunderlich
Our recent warming period has brought with it some perennial inhabitants that can torment any person full of springtime exuberance: black flies. Typically seen during the month of April, these annoying pests emerged a bit behind schedule and are with us now. They will buzz about one’s face and upper body where females seek a meal of blood for egg development. There’s little that can be done to eliminate them, but head nets without eye holes work great. Long-sleeve shirts and DEET insecticide can also provide protection. But, these pesky critters will find a way to skin through small openings, so beware.
The bites of black flies cause different reactions in humans, ranging from a small puncture wound, where the original blood meal was taken, to a swelling that can be the size of a golf ball. “Black fly fever” can result and include symptoms of headache, nausea, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
On a lighter note, Michigan’s migratory birds are showing up in waves of warm air. Most recently, white-crowned sparrows
white-crowned_sparrow
have found one of my feeding sites, where seed is spread in the straw of white pines. The tiny migrants wouldn’t stand a chance competing with bullies such a common grackles and red-winged blackbirds at a typical feeder, but given some space, will forage right along with others. With northern ranges of Alaska, Manitoba and east to Labrador and Newfoundland, they’ll be here just long enough to stock up on nutrition before the next leg of their arduous journey.
Another sparrow variety seen within the past few weeks has been the fox sparrow. Larger than our house sparrows, they are boldly striped with a rich rufous markings including a bright tail. They are well-suited for scratching in the pine straw and can be singled out from similar birds by their foraging technique alone.
Technology has advanced to the point that the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has developed a website called BirdCast,” said Michigan bird conservation coordinator Caleb Putnam. “The site gives you real-time information about the bird migration that’s occurring in your backyard. It’s a great tool for planning your birding trips.”
Using the U.S. NEXRAD weather surveillance radar network, BirdCast can detect large concentrations of migrating birds by sensing the water in the birds’ bodies. Because many birds migrate at night, checking the radar at night is a good time to see if birds are headed your way.
The Cornell Laboratory of Birds “All About Birds” website is a great source for bird identification tips and song samples.
Birding doesn’t necessarily require a lot of equipment, but good binoculars – and not the compact models – can make identification more likely. Of course, a field guide small enough to tote is helpful, too. Smart phones or cameras can be used to capture images and with today’s technology, can be used to magnify details, thus making for more enjoyable ventures afield.
Where Big Ethanol is King, Many Prefer Ethanol-Free Gas
Report: More ethanol-free fuel sold in Iowa than E15 and all flex fuels combined
DES MOINES, Iowa, May 3, 2018 – Even in Iowa, it appears many Hawkeye State residents aren’t fond of ethanol fuels mandated by the federal government’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
A report from the Iowa Department of Revenue shows that ethanol-free gas (E0) is a more popular fuel choice than E15 (15 percent ethanol) and all flex fuels (E20, E85) combined, with Iowans purchasing more than 200 million gallons of E0 fuel in 2016.
That’s more fuel that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) projects the entire US will be able to use in the near future while still satisfying growing annual biofuel obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Read more