Hi Tweets

Michael Brown put the following on the screen last night:

----------
> From: Michael B. Brown <borealis at borealis.seanet.com>
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Eagle Trouble?
> Date: Wednesday, January 21, 1998 10:40 PM
>
> When I was leaving Harry Todd Park on Monday, a man who lives across the
> street asked me if I'd seen "it". Obviously he's talked to others who
came
> to see the Little Gull.
>
> He then proceeded to tell me about a piece of land nearby, at "the end of
> Portland Avenue" that was scheduled to be developed. He said that two or
> three Bald Eagles were seen there- with some regularity I presumed. I was
in
> a hurry, so couldn't really grill him for more info, but I did go look
for,
> and found, the property in question (I have the address and other
specific
> info, but I left it at work). There is a large parcel (twenty acres) with
> mixed Douglas Fir, Garry Oak, and Madrone. I saw no indication of plans
for
> development on Portland. But then I went around the corner onto what
> appeared to be more of a driveway, and found a Determination of
> Non-Significance had been posted last July. Of course, it was posted out
of
> sight of the heavy traffic flow. Plans call for fifty plus housing units
to
> be built.
>
> Does anyone know about this? Is it possible this could be having a
negative
> impact on Bald Eagles? Do they nest anywhere in the vicinity?
>


I have talked to this gentleman a number of times since we started looking
for the Little Gull. He is on oxygen and apparently can't leave the house
but he enjoys talking with folks heading for the Lake to try their luck.
He knew about the Little Gull and tried to engage us by arguing about it.
Unfortunately, we were usually in a hurry or the weather was not
'Arizona-like' so conversations were short. A pity because he is trying
to have some contact outside his home -- understandable.

He talked to Greg about a bare-topped conifer on the other end of the park
that he says is a roosting spot for Baldies. My guess is that he has a
fair understanding of what happens in the area!! I almost left unsaid that
although we are entitled to be their, it is their neighbourhood and it is
good that someone has concern for the wildlife/development issue.

Next time I am down there I think that I will drop off a few Birding
magazines that I am done with. He can be abrupt but if I had the problems
he had, I probably would be, too.

Bob
Federal Way,WA
taylorrt at foxinternet.net