Hi,
The wonderful report of birding on the Long Beach Peninsula prompted me to
give you an update. As many of you may recall the wetlands (1,000 acres,
3.5 miles long) north of the Oysterville Road were illegally drained as a
result of the largest hydraulic permit violation in state history. A
developer and Pacific County Planning Commissioner paid to have two people
use a backhoe to destroy a dune/dam belonging to The Trumpeter Swan
Society. As of this writing, Mr. Jack Golden has been charged with several
crimes, including felony malicious mischief. He has pleaded innocent and a
trial is scheduled for September. Next week a hearing will be held on
whether he will forfit his backhoe used in the crime.
Meanwhile, the dune has been restored at considerable expense and the
marsh has been returned to its normal water levels. This year I noted many
breeding tree swallows, woodduck, Canada geese, mallard, rails, red tail
hawk, and rufous hummers and much more --snakes, salamanders, frogs and
mosquitoes.
If anyone is interested in knowing how to view this hidden extensive marsh
system please contact me privately. It can be a wonderful walk on the wild
side and is just south of the main Leadbetter State Park boundary.

Martha Jordan
marthaj at premier1.net