10 THE) AUDUBON B UDG Eee 
The bottom land along the east fork of Fox Creek forms an ideal habitat for such species as 
the Prothonotary Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Red-shouldered Hawk. 
This sign greets the tourist as 
he passes Bird Haven on the 
road. 
giving the “Save Bird Haven Committee” opportunity to publicize Bird 
Haven’s plight. Radio station WVLN was also cooperative in permitting 
members to discuss their objectives. Numerous letters were written to 
officials at every level of government, and publicity was given by major 
newspapers serving this area such as the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the 
Decatur Herald and the Chicago Daily News. 
On June 26, 1966, an open house was held at Bird Haven. Attendance 
was great; the concern expressed was gratifying. Visitors were given 
a small brochure, and guides took groups on tours and were stationed 
throughout the area to answer questions. Petitions were available for 
signing and support by local residents and non-residents was overwhelming. 
Over 2,500 signatures were gathered in a very few weeks. 
It was the hope of the Save Bird Haven Committee that this effort 
would sufficiently impress the city council so that the lake plans would be 
revised to prevent the flooding of Bird Haven. But the council informed 
the committee that its efforts were futile. It further stated that Bird 
Haven unfortunately stood in the way of “progress”, and that efforts to 
save it would be a waste of time and effort. The Save Bird Haven Com- 
mittee, realizing that a compromise was not to succeed, gave support to 
the other dissident groups in the community. 
But this time it was apparent that massive opposition to the lake 
