Connie, I have not been to the Fill since they posted these new directionary signs that you describe. But sounds great. This has bugged me for years...seeing people walking all over the space to get better looks at birds, or better photos, or just non-birders meandering every which way they so desire. Last Monday (10 May) there was a photographic class of teens who wandered all over with their little point and shoot cameras, trying to complete some assignment on photographing anything of interest. They had no concern as to where they were going and how that might impact the birds.

I am as guilty as the next. From this day forth, I pledge not to visit the north end of the Main Pond for those better views of shorebirds. I will stay on the main loop path and if I am lucky, I am lucky!

The birds have so few places to select from; the priority should always be the birds and for us to remember that we are just visitors. So what if we miss a good view of an uncommon species or a great photo...... Let's not ruin what we have!

Eric Kowalczyk

Seattle



----- Original Message -----
From: Connie Sidles
To: tweeters
Sent: 5/15/2010 11:23:27 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] Fill this and that





The second development is the posting of signage forbidding people from walking off the gravel trail on the main part of the Fill. The signs are posted so that they effectively close access to Main Pond except for one place at the southeast end. it also closes the social trail between Main Pond and Shoveler's Pond. So no longer are you supposed to walk along the east side of Main Pond or the north end of that pond. Neither are you supposed to get any closer to Shoveler's Pond than the gravel trail itself. Finally, you're forbidden to walk across Hunn Meadow West from Southwest Pond to Main Pond. These social trails have been in existence for 25 years or more.


IMHO, this is a good thing despite the fact that it reduces birding opportunities in some of the hottest spots of the Fill. For one thing, the signage should put an end (I hope) to the creation of ever-increasing additional social trails. For another, they make it clear that the Fill's main fields and ponds are there for the sake of the habitat and the wildlife. I like this openly signed commitment to preserving a little piece of the wild in the heart of a city. People are welcome to enter the wild as long as we don't love the place to death. It's a good balance of mixed use.


Take a look for yourself and let me know what you think. - Connie, Seattle


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