On 11/04/2011 4:25 PM, Laurie Rockwell wrote:

Mark, here are the news from my monthly tour:

• I was in the ER from 6.50-9.05 am; walk in and out time was 50 minutes.

• at 8.25 it was 7 degrees, with minimal wind and periods of sun.

• I saw or heard 11 species of birds, twice the number I expected in the winter, including a hooting Dusky Grouse and a pair of Mountain Bluebirds examining a hole in a small snag at the top of the east ridge;

• I have not found a nest in the ER for years.

• many plant species are in leaf, bud or flower. I found no knapweed rosettes on the old road and no Sulphur Cinquefoil at the site I am monitoring.

• I remove any that I find, so maybe that is why.

• there were no signs of human activity, including vandalism.

• see my March 11th report for the fence repairs that are needed.

Cheers..........Laurie