I neglected to mention another observation from yesterday: the presence
of what could remain as shorebird habitat at Ottawa NWR. The
northeasternmost public impoundment (2B) of the refuge has been drawn
down, exposing what would, if allowed to persist, locally rare foraging
habitat in the form of mudflats, accessible to visitors, for migrant
shorebirds in the season to come. This is the impoundment where part of
the loop path has been closed because of an eagles' nest, but good
viewing of the exposed mudflats would be available on the south, west,
and northern pathways. This will be well worth checking over the coming
months.
        I feel sure our wildlife managers have made such important habitat
available for sound biological reasons, rather than because of various
widely ballyhooed public birding events coming up this spring, and that
such commendable practices will continue in the future solely in the
interest of shorebird conservation.
Bill Whan
Columbus

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