The Windsor Prison Lands in Windsor, VT, is a large tract of mostly 
undeveloped land West of Windsor and I-91.  They contain one of the 
largest contiguous tracts of "natural" grassland habitats in eastern 
Vermont.  These fields are home to the only known pair of nesting 
Northern Harriers on this side of the Greens and Grasshopper Sparrows 
have been found in the fields.  Lawrences and Blue-winged Warblers 
have also been seen and photographed here, and several pair of Am. 
Kestrels nest here every year.  This area is included in the UV 
Birder's Trail.  The State is currently considering options for the 
future of these lands.  One of the options is high-density housing, 
proposed by the town.  Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, through 
Michael Quinn, a resident of Windsor, science teacher, AMAS member, 
and President of the Coon Club, is working to preserve these lands as 
a state wildlife management area.  The State is open to this option, 
but we need to help Michael with some data.  If anyone has any 
records on this area (BBA data, bird lists, RBA-type sightings, 
etc.), please send them to me.  They will help us greatly to steer 
the eventual disposition of the property.

Mike Walsh
-- 

##########################

Marianne and Michael Walsh
151 East Camp Hill Road
Weathersfield, VT  05156-9629

802-885-9420

****************************************************************
To post messages, send e-mail to:  [log in to unmask]
Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages.
To contact the list owner:  [log in to unmask]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Web based archives and subscription management are available at:
http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
****************************************************************