Subject: [Tweeters] FW: Shorebirds in Bowerman 31 years ago
Date: Apr 22 19:09:25 2012
From: Steven Herman - stevenherman at hotmail.com
> > As we run up on the shorebird migration extravaganza, I like to look back 30 years to a time when I and others were lobbying for what became Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. At that time the core of what is now the Refuge was called Bowerman Basin, and it was slated to be filled and converted into what the Port of Tacoma is now, plus an international airport. Death threats had eliminated the local Audubon chapter, and loggers barricaded the bridge over the Hoquiam River (the day Dan Evans was headed for the Basin to see the birds). The opposition to any protection for the site was vicious.
> >
> > On April 22, 1981 there were 500,000 shorebirds in Bowerman Basin (2 independent counts, one by me and my students, another by the Game Department).
> >
> > I travelled around with a 16 mm projector and a bulky tape recorder, showing a short movie that was crudely synched to some Vivaldi. Mike Lowry was a Congressman then, and when the lights came up after my showing, he said, simply, "Lotsa' birds, Steve". He got it, and subsequently did much to create Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge.
> >
> > A couple of years ago I put that up on YouTube. If you're curious, Google or do a YouTube search for "Bowerman Basin, 1981". I think it's 4 minutes long
> >
> > There are those who have questioned the high numbers that were reported. This little film offers some perspective. And don't miss the nurturing Spartina the Westerns cavort in!
> >
> > Steve Herman