Tweeters:

So many have contributed on these, I think it's time to throw in my two cents...

I can understand that some prefer the Union Bay name because from a sheer marketing perspective it is more appealing perhaps. But I'm with Gene: (a) the Union Bay Natural Area seems a major misnomer, since this is highly altered habitat, with resultant flora (and some fauna) being quite adventive; and (b) the Montlake Fill seems a more precise name, since Union Bay suggests to me a larger area, including areas south of the fill (along Union Bay). The fact that the area was once a dump should not deter anyone from birding there, in fact it's a cause for celebration that a former waste site could be so successfully converted into a super birding spot. Like others, I recall birding the Fill frequently in the early 80s, during UW days, and have many memories associated with the 'ol Fill...

And then on directions: I guess what disturbs me the most is the prevalent "I exist, therefore you owe me" attitude of so many. I guess it's missed on them that some contributors don't always have the time to give a georgraphic treatise on what county, what turns, what pulloffs, etc.--and where do you draw the line on geographic tips? Some visitors probably need even more info that just a county or site name. Let's also remember that the vast majority of readership is probably not apt to give chase to every bird; therefore those people who want to give chase and don't have knowledge of locality should simply contact the person posting (I have received many such queries over time) and my general impression is that there are few that would deny such a query for info. Instead of looking a contributing (who has taken their own time to post) gift horse in the mouth, why not be grateful that we have a medium like Tweeters, and that at least you have a tip on which to start?

The alternative is to force strict georgraphical posting requirements, censoring out those that don't comply with same; in which case it is most likely that several constributors, including myself, will simply stop posting...

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com
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