Subject: Black Phoebe continues
Date: Nov 22 11:46:39 1997
From: Raymond Korpi - rkorpi at clark.edu


The BLACK PHOEBE at the Washougal Sewage Ponds is still being seen this
morning. Several birders have reported it being active in the same area
as previously described. The bird was sighted as of about 10:45 am.

The sewage ponds at present are locked, gated, and posted as "No
Trespassing." No mention has been made in Thursday and Friday posts of
this condition, so I'm assuming it's a weekend condition like has happened
at so many others have become in the Northwest. There were birders on the
other side of the gate and climbing back over the gate when I got there.
I chose not to seek the bird due to the clear status of the gate and
postings.

Perhaps someone more local to Washougal can post about the access to the
sewage ponds for all so that some clarification about access can be made.
If the sewage people don't care if the fence is hopped, I'd like to know
before I decide to hop it. If the ponds are ungated during the week, I
can also go early next week. IF SOMEONE COULD POST THIS INFORMATION TO
ALL ON BOTH LISTS, DO SO. Let's not make this a situation where locals
lose access to habitat because twitchers decide to do something untoward.

I think that past discussions, especially on OBOL, about access to sewage
lagoons and the risks therein (like losing access for ALL) must be taken
into consideration when chasing. What's the use of losing access over one
bird when others have gained access permission and good realtions for CBCs
and other events (atlases, NAMC) over the years.
Ray K
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray Korpi "Television doesn't allow much depth."
Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA --Dan Rather, interviewed by
rkorpi at clark.edu Don Imus, 11/6/97
Compiler, Portland, OR CBC, January 3, 1998
President, Oregon Field Ornithologists
--New members always welcome--