The Mudflats at Hoover are in the Hoover Nature Preserve - which many of
you are aware. Because of this, rules are in place to protect the
wildlife and natural areas. It is against the Nature Preserve Rules for
people to be walking on the Mudflats. Access is only allowed in
designated areas - the boardwalk, Weise Road, Old Sunbury Road by the
East Shore Yacht Club, Oxbow, Area N and Area L. It is not that we are
trying to keep well-behaving birders out of the area - but other who
damage the area.
We have had problems with people letting their dogs run on the mudflats
and chase the birds, drive their ATVs on the mudflats, etc. And, to be
honest, with the large amount of birders coming to the area - the impact
of their feet is much greater than you would imagine. Therefore, the
best practice is to follow the rules to protect the mudflats and the
birds who depend upon them by not going out onto the mudflats.
Please, only use the approved areas. We do understand and support your
interest, that is why we put up the boardwalk. (BTW - we are seeking
funds to finish the boardwalk).
Help us to protect what makes Hoover special and the birds that come
there.
Thanks,
Elayna M. Grody
Natural Resources Manager
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
(614) 645-3304
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
[log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 1:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Hoover Nature Preserve Shorebird Viewing at Areas
M and N
Bill Heck in his posting noted the low water level at Hoover Reservoir
(now
almost 10 feet below normal) and the distance to the edge of the water
from
the boardwalk at Area M. This is a real disadvantage, especially for
birder's
that do not have spotting scopes or very good optics. There is a
solution
though which should help those craving for a good view of the phalarope
and other
species.
Just to the east of the parking lot to Area M, as Front Street curves
back
to the village square, is the entrance to the old road that goes into
Area N.
Park near the kiosk and enter by going around the wire barrier and
follow the
old road until you near the old bridge base at Big Walnut Creek. From
this
vantage point you can easily access the mudflats (which are baked pretty
hard
at this point) and gain a better and closer view of the shorebird
activity.
This is where I have entered for years rather than traverse the mud
from Area M
before we built the boardwalk.
This area works best in the morning as that places the sun behind you
(no
glare). Access is not restricted, but please keep enough distance as to
not
harass or spook the birds off as others will also want to view them.
If you are adventurous you can then backtrack and follow the shore
around
the corner along Big Walnut Creek. I haven't see any sign of anyone
other than
myself checking this area and I have found small numbers but good birds
here
(Wilson's Phalarope - which gives the preserve a trifecta this year).
Wiese Road is best in the afternoon or evening as that will then put the
sun
behind you at that location.
Charlie Bombaci, Naturalist
Hoover Nature Preserve
Delorme 58 C (2) & (3)
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Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
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