There seems to be some confusion as to whether birders are allowed to walk
out onto the wooden boardwalk/bridge at the Hoquiam STP. According to Ruth
Sullivan, birders are never, ever supposed to go out there. But I was out
there on Saturday with many other birders, and we were given permission to
enter the area inside the gate and go out onto the boardwalk. After we all
had a chance to see the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bob Norton, Doug Watkins,
and I spent about half an hour talking to one of the very nice staff people
in the headquarters office, and he definitely said that birders are welcome
to walk through the gate and go out onto the boardwalk, AS LONG AS THEY
SIGN IN AT THE OFFICE FIRST (as I stated in my BirdBox report). There is a
book on the counter for this purpose. He said that many birders don't know
that they are allowed on the boardwalk, but they are. So, all I can say
is, check in at the office and do what they say.

Rachel Lawson
Seattle
RachelLawson at softhome.net