Greetings... This field trip might be of interest to the list. I'm unable to 
post to the Miami-Valley Audubon list, but they might be curious as well. 
Fernald has an interesting history, to say the least.

Take care,
---Mike Busam
West Chester, OH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ned Keller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 8:06 PM
Subject: Fernald birding field trip


On Saturday, September 17th, 2005, the Cincinnati Bird Club has been
invited to join Fernald employees on a birding field trip at Fernald.
Anyone is welcome. Details concerning this event were not available at
our newsletters press date, so it missed being publicized in that forum.
However, it should prove to be an interesting birding trip. According to
Sue Walpole, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Fernald Closure
Project, of the approximate 1400 total acres at Fernald, around 900
acres are in a natural state. This includes a diversity of habitats
which include 327 acres of grassland, 395 acres of woodland, 33 acres of
savannah, 81 acres of wetlands, unspecified acreage of pine stands and
60 acres of open water in several different ponds. The good news is that
this land is committed to remain in a natural state under Department of
Energy stewardship. I am told there will be no park or recreation
developement of any sort and the area will be kept as wildlife habitat.
While it is still unclear as to eventual public use, it is my
understanding that the area will eventually be open to the public, at
least on a limited basis, for wildlife observation once the clean up
project is completed.

We will meet at the Fernald Willey Rd. entrance (see directions below)
at 7:30 a.m.. Drive down the entrance driveway and stop/park at the
gaurd gate. We will meet Fernald staff there, some of whom are birders
themselves. We will be asked to fill out a short visitor form and will
then be briefed about the area. We will then go birding untill about
noon. The birding should be good, considering that fall migration will
be in full swing and the diversity of habitats present. It goes without
saying that we will not be taken into any unsafe areas. Sue Walpole has
offered to send the visitor form ahead of time to anyone who asks. Feel
free to contact Sue for any concerns or further information. She can be
reached at 513-648-4026 or via email to [log in to unmask]

Fernald is located in northwestern Hamilton County and southwestern
Butler County, just east of Miami Whitewater Forest. The main entrance
is located in the 7400 block on the north side of Willey Rd, about 1/4
mile west of Rt. 128. >From the I-275 Exit # 7(Miamitown, Rt 128) go
north on Rt 128 for 7 miles to Willey Rd. Turn left onto Willey Rd. and
go 1/4 mile to the Fernald entrance on the right. Another approach from
the east would be to take the I-275 Exit # 33A (US 27/Colerain Ave.) and
go north on US 27 for 5 miles to the Hamilton-Ross exit. Turn left/west
onto Rt 128 through Ross for 4 miles to Willey Rd. Turn right onto
Willey Rd and go 1/4 mile to the Fernald entrance on the right.

This is a good chance to find out what the current situation is and the
future plans are at Fernald, an oppurtunity to explore an unknown area
and the likelihood of a pretty good day of birding.
-- 
Ned Keller
[log in to unmask]




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