LETTERS

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BIRD COUNT RESULTS On Jan. 4, 2015, 25 observers endured cold, wind and snow from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. to complete Springfield’s 80th annual Christmas Bird Count. All birds that were seen and heard within a 7 ½-mile radius of the Old State Capitol were counted. The total number of birds was 23,113, which represented 85 species including 14 bald eagles.

The data in these counts is made available to the public and for use by researchers studying bird populations through the National Audubon Society, the organization that promotes Christmas Bird Counts. You can find more information on their website, http://birds. audubon.org/christmas-birdcount.

Since Springfield’s first Christmas Bird Count in 1909, the counts for many woodland species have been decreasing. This is due in large part to commercial and residential development and thus diminished habitat.

Unusual birds encountered were: black scoters, merlin, peregrine falcon, lesser blackbacked gull, ruby-crowned kinglet, hermit thrush, Eastern towhee and purple finch. Of most concern, however, were low counts for some woodland species such as black-capped chickadee, tufted titmouse, golden-crowned kinglet and others. Only one covey of Northern bobwhite was seen and only two mockingbirds.

We can support species populations in Sangamon County through preservation of existing habitat and various practices such as leaving fallen trees and tall grasses undisturbed, abiding by speed limits and leaving out bird feeders so that birds have access to food in snowy and icy conditions. H. David Bohlen, zoologist Author of A Study of the Birds of Sangamon County, Illinois, 1970-2010 Springfield

INTEGRATE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS In regard to the article “Rooting out Systematic

Racism” (Patrick Yeagle, Jan. 15), a step in the direction of bringing more equality in Springfield would be to reduce the housing segregation. The housing segregation in Springfield is extremely high. There has not been any improvement. Mayor Mike Houston should appoint a task force along the lines of the task force appointed by President Obama to submit recommendations as to how to reduce housing segregation in Springfield. Then the city should implement those recommendations. Vinod Gupta Springfield

AN ACCURATE ACCUSATION William Tecumseh Sherman wrote, “I think I understand what military fame is: to be killed on the field of battle and have your name misspelled in the newspapers.” Stephane Charbonnier, the late editor of Charlie Hebdo, has suffered the same fate in Chris Britt’s otherwise excellent opinion essay. Jonathan E. Reyman Springfield

Illinois Times regrets the error.