Hello Bob and Tweeters,
I very much appreciate that you post this.As we ourself the last time the Stilt Sandpiper was there ask the owner (male).As we came out from view the birds, his wife ask us what we was doing in the facility,but when i mention her husband give us permission she was nice.She give us all kind of information about the ponds and the suroundings.She also mention if we ever come again to come to her house and let her know.
Since hunting is now in process,it would be not so good to going in to the facilty.You also can see the ponds way on top where people fishing,but you need a good Scope.We also know that you and Randy got special permission to get to keep an eye what is in the ponds.We already mention this to many birders ,to ask first to going in to the pond.There is a big sign on the gate what we noticed.


Ruth Sullivan
Tacoma
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Flores
To: Tweeters ; Inland Birds
Sent: Friday, October 04, 2002 2:46 PM
Subject: Sharp-tailed sandpiper in othello


Hi all,

I had seen these birds, only two, on Weds evening. I did not post it because I first wanted to check with the landowner about access. The reason for this is the upcoming, Saturday, opening of duck season. The owner said he did not want people walking around because he has duck hunters who pay to hunt in there and there will be a conflict. I contacted him again today and told him about Tom finding the birds and that I thought it would get posted on the internet. He immediately said the property is posted, and I said people have walked around here before and they may come in not knowing. He then asked if I would send out a message asking people to respect the private Property. I said I would if in fact it did get posted on the internet. I find myself in a uncomfortable position, one that I have helped to create, of not wanting to lose access to this area for myself and others. On my way out of the property I did see one, possibly two, of the birds in the Para Ponds where they were viewable from McManoman Rd. They were roosting with a group of dowitchers on a small point of land that juts out into the open water. This is found on the east end of the pond directly across froma large stand of bulrush. I would never guarantee they will be there this weekend. Para Pond is also hunted although in the corner away from the public road.

I just wanted to get a heads up out to you all.

Bob Flores
Othello, WA
rflores at cbnn.net