Hi Tweeters:
I'm hoping that someone can answer my questions about shorebird habitats.
>From observing a number of areas where shorebirds are now, or were formerly,
it seems like we humans are "enhancing" many areas for ducks or salmon, and
are ignoring the need for mud for migrating shorebirds. Shorebirds seem to
like BARE areas w/ mud flats and some water during migration. Ducks seem to
like water w/ lots of emergent or surrounding vegetation. I guess salmon
also require this vegetation? I see humans changing the environment in some
areas from the formerly muddy seasonal ponds in farm fields to slightly
overgrown lakes w/ no mud in sight during migration.
I see this in the Kent Valley. At Green River Natural Wildlife Area (Kent
Ponds) we used to see shorebirds on the mudflats during migration. This
used to be farm fields and some sewer ponds, with mud and grass, and a few
bushes. There were cottonwoods a short distance away from the ponds. Now
it is a series of lakes, w/ plants, lush emergent vegetation, and even trees
growing. No mud at all and no shorebirds except an occasional Killdeer.
At
Smith Bros Dairy in the Kent Valley, the dairy folks have moved out and the
rumor is that the area will remain in agriculture, but be coverted to farm
lands w/ row crops. There will likely not be any mud there. We see a
number of shorebirds there right now, and lots of ducks. Will they be there
any remaining a few years from now?
Down at the wetland in Brady Loop, near the highway to Ocean Shores, the
former seasonal ponds w/ bare mud seem to be overgrown, "enhanced" and
closed off from the public. I haven't been able to see if any mud remains
for shorebird migration... But it's looking good for future ducks.
At Nisqually NWR the fields are perfectly barren and have recently been
scooped out for seasonal ponds, and there is mud showing. But there is a
sign in place that says the area will be changing there too. They will be
bringing in plants, and it will be "enhanced", probably for ducks. It's
good right now for shorebirds and some ducks. What will we see at Nisqually
in the future?
I hope I'm wrong in my observations. Do people need to start increasing
shorebird habitat along w/ the habitats for ducks and salmon? Aren't people
concerned about shorebirds?
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines
206-824-7618