Subject: [Tweeters] LEO Eide
Date: Feb 7 16:59:51 2015
From: Philip McCrain - phil at mccrain.com


I find it quite ironic that the same WDFW that posted links to the King 5 report without any comment about keeping your distance habitat might be thinking of closing the area because people may be disturbing the owls. Isn?t this the same WDFW that is considering the destruction of this habitat by flooding it?

When I was at Chinook Bend last weekend the person from King County that I spoke with was quite excited that the area was getting attention. She felt that it was a great opportunity to highlight the County?s restoration efforts in the area.

Eide Road also provides a lot of opportunities. Educational opportunities about the value of habitat, how to respectfully observe and photograph wildlife, how to discern when an owl is exhibiting signs of being disturbed, etc. Signs as mentioned below is a great idea! A holder with educational pamphlets would help also. Heck, volunteers handing out pamphlets and giving tips to the families out to see an owl in the wild for the first time would be great. I would guess that many of the offenders just don?t know better and a few gently delivered words would go a long way with most. The others, well yes, they should be reported.

Phil McCrain
Kirkland

On Feb 6, 2015, at 8:47 PM, Sammy Catiis <hikersammy at msn.com> wrote:

Just an FYI. So many photographers are encroaching on the LEO, that the WDFW is considering closing it. You must at all times stay a minimum of 30 feet from the Owl. There is to be no chasing, taunting, breaking down enviro for better photo opts, flash photography or baiting. I have seen all of this listed but the baiting. It has NOT helped that KING 5 did a report saying how they were 6 feet from the Owl and giving directions for everyone to come see this. PLEASE, do not hesitate if you see ANYONE breaking these rules to call them on it, or feel free to call 911 as a non-emergency. Fish and Wildlife and those designated to police the area, are standing by to assist. This needs to stop before it's closed all together. It will not matter to those policing the site or WDFW what your intent or background is. This behavior will not be tolerated. The Chinook Bend area is another area they are monitoring. Lets keep the owls relaxed and asleep during the day, so maybe they will continue to call this area their home, or at least come back to visit. I for one, have been going to Eide for many years and would be sad to see it closed due to a few people.

Thank you,
Sammy
Arlington

Feel free to write me with any questions regarding this. Signs will be posted at parkinglot or trail entrance soon.


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