Subject: REMINDER-Kent Ponds Field Trip This Sunday
Date: Jan 20 06:25:23 1999
From: L. & C. Schulz - linusq at worldnet.att.net


Hi Folks:
I posted this field trip (which is open to all of you) last week and have
gotten a pretty good response. So far 12 participants have emailed me.
People are coming here from as far away as Chimicum near Pt. Townsend. Did
some research in the Tweeters archives and I think this might be the FIRST
EVER Tweeters Field Trip (stop me if I'm wrong). Anyway, sorry to repeat
this information, but the trip is still open and I hope to hear from a few
more of you. Yours, Carol Schulz

TWEETERS KENT PONDS FIELD TRIP

Time: Sun. Jan. 24, 1999 8:00AM until Noon (or later, if desired)
Place: Green River Natural Resources Area (Kent Ponds)
Location: Kent, WA south of Seattle (Directions Below)
Meeting Place: NW Entrance to GRNRA on Russell Rd. next to the Green River
(Directions Below)
Purpose: Orientation to a newly-created wildlife area which is ordinarily
closed on Sundays
Obsevation of Raptors, owl-trees, ducks, coyotes?, birds (over 200
spp. of mammals and birds
have been observed at or near the lagoons).

The Green River Natural Resources Area is a 304-acre wetland/open field
project constructed by the city of Kent. It includes 3 viewing towers, and
access to public trail systems. There are three ponds. This is a major
wildlife habitat restoration project. Increases in scrub-shrub, forested
wetland, and improved upland habitat is expected to improve the diversity
of habitat, particularly for water fowl. "This is one of last remaining
open tracts of land in the Kent Valley and incorporates state of the-art
techniques of wetland creation and enhancement, urban wildlife management,
and stormwater treatment. With its adjacent public park and trail system,
the site is one of the largest man-made, multi-use wildlife refuges in the
United States."

There have been lots of reports from Tweeters fairly recently about
observations at the Kent Ponds. There has been activity by raptors at
almost any time of the day. The sitings of water birds change almost
daily. Owls frequent the area. There are at least 4 eagles in the area.

Come on down and join us. Tweeters and friends are welcome. The areas
that we'll visit have gravel, or asphalt trails. The trails are flat, but
the towers are inside the area at least 1/4 mile away. Bring your
binoculars
and if you have scopes, please bring them. Tell me if you are coming, and
how many people & cars will be coming. Respond off the list to my personal
email please.

DIRECTIONS:
On I-5 south of Seattle take exit 152 (near SeaTac Airport). Go east (it's
Orillia Road) down to the Kent valley and continue on Orillia (which turns
to S. 212th) to the Green River (approx. 2/3 mile after getting down to the
flats). Go over the Green River and take an immediate right (go south) on
Russell Road. Russell Rd. is on the east side of the Green River. Go one
block to the first paved parking lot on the left. This is the NW entrance
to the GRNRA (Kent Ponds). This is right next to a small grove of pine
trees called Anderson Park. Owls have been observed in these trees, eating
their prey just before dawn. Owl pellets can be seen beneath these trees.
During the day, harriers perch in these trees.

If you are coming west on S. 212th St., you can't turn south onto Russell
Road because there's no left turn lane. Go west ~2/3 mile on 212th to the
left turn lane and do a U-turn. Come on back to the Green River/Russell
Road turnoff.

Coordinator:
Carol Schulz (I'm a Rainier Audubon Soc. Member)
DesMoines, WA
linusq at worldnet.att.net

This is a Tweeters trip open to all. Since I am an Audubon Soc. member, I
will have info for participants, if they are interested. Please no small
children (unless they can be quiet). Dogs are not allowed in the area.
PLEASE RESPOND TO MY HOME EMAIL, NOT TO THE LIST.
My phone is 206-824-7618 days or evenings. But I prefer email!