The Avalonia Land Conservancy's Bell Cedar Swamp preserve is, without a doubt, one of my favorite refuges, both because of what's preserved and because it's very close to home. But earlier this year, it was marked for "improvement"—a major forestry endeavor aimed at creating habitat for the imperiled New England Cottontail rabbit and more than a dozen songbirds that might benefit from the shrublands that develop in the wake of taking down trees and building up brush piles. I've been involved in several other bunny projects, and I've seen the good they do. But they're horrifying to watch, and I couldn't be present while the loggers were doing their necessary work. They're pretty much done now, so this morning, I forced myself to return to the Bell Cedar. It's, well, open, and I barely recognize the place. But I believe in the process, and, as a boost to my spirits, I heard one of the target birds, a Blue-winged Warbler, giving its signature "bee-buzz" calls. I'd never heard a Blue-winged in this refuge before. I think things will be fine.