I attended two meetings at Port HQ and thought I might encourage the Port to embrace the terns as a gold mine/discovered resource, one that would bring lots of birders into town, who would spend money, of course.
I asked that they consider setting aside even a small corner for the terns, given that the property won't be developed for many years. There's even an old pier that would be perfect....for the terns. And how phenomenal is it to have a large nesting colony of spectacular birds just two blocks from downtown?

They wanted no part of any idea about welcoming the terns for another year. They do not want a single egg laid on the property, even though they created an ideal nesting ground when they razed the old pulp mill buildings.

The plan involves erecting concentric circles of silt fencing around the entire nesting area of last year (it was huge!) to reduce the 360-degree visibility that a colony requires to keep all eyes out for land predators. It also involves thin, two-color mylar strips that move in the slightest breeze, and coyote silhouettes and Bald Eagle kites.

It breaks my heart to consider that those magnificent birds will, more than likely, move on if the port has its way.

I could go on.....
Joe Meche
Bellingham















-----Original Message-----
From: travel girl <travelgirl.fics at gmail.com>
To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 8:26 pm
Subject: [Tweeters] Tern of Events in B'ham


http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_bellingham_terns.html?source=pimail
seems the city would prefer the terns remove the city from their address book...

00 caren
http://www.ParkGallery.org
george davis creek, north fork


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