Article posted Thursday, March 13, 2014 10:03am

Dear Mary Ellen,

I don’t know about you but I am visibly upset at the idea that the designation “Bird City” should be shared with other communities in Door County or that the entire county be so identified. Our community has been careful to attract only the most desirable feathered friends and we certainly don’t cotton to migratory types. Our birds are third and fourth generation and do not come from (gasp) other areas nor do they just roost here when the season suits them, only to fly off to some winter location such as (gasp) Orlando. What can we about this ill-advised plan?

Mabel Messerschmitt
Ephraim, WI

Dear Mabel,

As usual, you leave me at a loss for words…temporarily.
Matters of nature and wildlife are not exactly my specialty, however, I have taken a little time to research Bird City. And by research, I mean I Googled BIRD CITY, DOOR COUNTY, WI. Through this method, I found the websitebirdcitywisconsin.org.

You might not want to hear this, but Bird City isn’t even exclusive to our state. At this point, Egg Harbor, Ephraim, and Baileys Harbor are all considered Bird City certified. As far as I’ve read, Bird City is not an all county thing.

The county is large enough for all kinds of birds, all kinds of awards and recognition and even some people who only live here half the year, i.e. Snow Birds. Broaden your horizons, Mabel.

Good luck,
Mary PAT