We live on 40 acres in Montana, just northwest of Great Falls. We have spent the last few years reclaiming the land and stabilizing the banks of the Muddy Creek from erosion. We were once on one of the worst portions of the creek as far as yearly erosion was concerned. But, through the judicious use of Navajo-Churro and allowing a fairly large portion of the land to lie unused we stopped all erosion and the Muddy Creek Reclamation Project has declared us one of the best sections along the creek. We use no pesticides, sprays or fertilizers, relying on nature and the sheep.

We have seen a huge increase of bird population settling here, or using us as a stopping point before heading for the wetland preserve about 50 miles northwest of us. The following bird species are now sighted annually on the property; robins, three variety of sparrows, White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose (we have six nesting couples at present), Mallards, Teals, Pintails, Golden Eagle, Goshawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Pheasant, Crane, Plovers, Killdeer, Sandpiper, Franklin's Gull, Seagull, Terns, Doves, Great Horned Owl, Swifts, woodpeckers (including Pileated), Flycatchers, Western & Eastern Kingbird, jays, Meadowlarks, Swallows, Rusty Cowbird, warblers, Yellow Grosbeak, Yellow-headed & Red-winged Blackbirds and finches. The numbers in each species grows annually. We feel fortunate.

We also have a kennel for breeding Border Collies and boarding dogs-usually for dogs who are obedience clients. We work by referral only and take very few dogs at any given time as we treat them as if they were our own. They are allowed family/house time, given walks and play time and become very important to us. Many owners tell the dogs they are going to "camp" or to visit "Aunt Susan". Some have been with us since they were puppies.