Most of the comments I have seen about the Magee Marsh / Crane Creek changes
appear to be from the perspective of experienced birders.  Most (other than
the handicapped ) don't mind walking to get to a great birding spot.  There
is another perspective and that is from the point of view of getting new
people involved in birding.  There have got to be great birding places that
are readily accessible to get new people hooked on birding.  Magee Marsh is
currently one of those places and I have seen it work.  Getting new people
involved is as essential to the long term health of the birds as is adding
new habitat.  It will take more people (and the money they spend) to support
birding in the future.  There needs to be a good balance of maintaining
habitat (and not loving it to death) and making great birding readily
accessible.  Don't go overboard in restricting access that may have
unintended consequences that are not in the best long term interest of the
birds.

Richard Esker
Wood County
West Virginia
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