I think somebody needs to educate beavis! He is the joke!

Actually, in the last two months, I have driven to the Goose Pond as often as possible -- nearly daily -- because there are animals there I have never seen in my lifetime.

I grew up in a landlocked state and I have not seen many different species and types of birds.

Did you know that there are SHOREBIRDS in landlocked southern Indiana! Yes -- the American Avocet, gulls, Black-necked stilts, Ibis, numerous sandpipers, and wetland rare birds like Great White Egret, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, American Bittern, King Rail, and a whole host of other amazing birds -- both migratory and indigenous.

In addition to those, I have also seen for the first time a Bob White, a mink, three different snake species, Killdeer nesting, 11 different types of ducks (that I could identify), and so much more. A pair of Hooded Mergansers have made their home in the Goose Pond.

The funny thing is, if you had told me that I'd EVER take up birding, I'd have laughed long and hard. I have come to love it though in the past couple of months and have invested in a good binocular and camera to document what I see.

As for the "mozzys" that's what the birds are for -- they EAT them. Hundreds of swallows feast on them at dusk every night. It is a beautiful spectacle.

Every time I'm there, I see other birders and nature lovers. Only twice have I been there and not seen anyone there -- and those were very cold mornings and days. There were 17 people there one day when it was raining because the rain brings the migratory shore birds down out of the weather to eat! Enjoy this wonderful RARE gem!

"Oh and most already forgot how much the misquito pit south Linton is costing our schools!"

I really wish we could educate beavis a bit because the costing our schools comment really doesn't make sense.... Are you saying that during recesses they have to buy bug repellent for the students? Probably not. I am sure you are alluding that the money for the Goosepond / Beehunter Fish and Wildlife Area should be going to our school budgets.

Let me explain to you how I understand that the system works. First of all, the federal government is paying for most of the restoration along with the Indiana DNR. You must understand, that having Goosepond developed in Greene County is quite an honor. The state and federal government has this money budgeted to spend on these restoration and management projects and they are going to spend it somewhere, no matter where that is. Do you not see a point in them spending that money here? Would you rather someplace already in prosperity getting the millions invested in their area or would you prefer to see our local economy grow, even if a bit? Also, most of that money is not your tax dollars at work. The people that use the facility are the ones paying a lot of the bill. You know how the state requires hunting and fishing licenses? Yeah, guess what, those cost money and that money goes into a fund for these types of projects. Also, the environmental license plates that you see on cars, yeah, that money goes into a similar fund. If you don't want money coming into your local economy that is going to be spent somewhere, no matter what, please move out of the county!

So to clear up the matter on the schools, if they did get the money from the project, I would be excited about that too. Think of the stadium we could build for the football team!!! Wow, that would be excellent, even if the students don't know who Picasso is...

Next, I think they cleared up that the birds attracted to the Goosepond eat mosquitoes and that actually having it there will likely decrease the population in this area. Lets get our facts straight before we spout off our mouths.

Also, one more thing. If you haven't seen any tourists, open your eyes. This would be a perfect weekend to do so. Drive out to Wampler and Reservoir 26 and take 30 minutes to walk to the camps and ask the people where they are from. I would almost bet near 50% of them do no live in Greene County and at least 50% of those do not leave in a bordering county. Guess what those campers are??? Yeah, you got it, tourists, spending their hard earned dollars in our local economy.

All I have left to say is get ready because the tourism industry is coming and soon as long as the United States economy straightens out. Those of you who are not prepared will be left in the dust by those, like Chuck, who are!

A binocular and birding shop is the PERFECT type of business to open up in the downtown of Linton! Excellent idea!Actually, someone needs to do just that as soon as possible. The carloads of birders (that arrive in the area as early as 5:00 a.m.) will need a place to get repairs done, buy additional batteries, scopes, tripods, DVDs, digital camera supplies, do instant printing of photos, etc. Someone really should do it.

Of course one of the main things that would be available would have to be a repellent of some type. With all of the birds eating the mozzies, I have fewer and fewer flying around me. For spending hours and hours in the Goosepond each day, I have ZERO mozzy bites. If I'm there every day and have not been bitten, the birds are doing their jobs!

Noone said anything about Linton Schools.

If it was $100 acre that would be 1.6 million dollars a year.

Who cares what school it goes to

That is a lot of tourism money