|
When Sheila and Jim Lawrence moved to their
retirement home in a beautiful wooded setting
on the banks of the Mississippi River near
Monticello, they thought they would finally
have a chance to relax. Instead, they found
themselves the tireless keepers of hundreds
of birds that overwinter in their backyard
because the warm-water discharge from the
nearby power plant keeps the river open
year-round.
Most notable among the winter residents
are reintroduced trumpeter swans, a
state-threatened species. Sheila soon found
herself tracking individual swans,
documenting their activities, and recording
important data for ongoing research in the
DNR Nongame Wildlife Program.
|
