In intriguing news, a Nature Conservancy project seems to link parallel
benefits to both farmers and migrant shorebirds by deliberately flooding
agricultural lands. See a news media story at
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37191750/ns/us_news-environment/from/ET
        Readers who birded sky-ponds in the farm fields south of the  public
properties in NW Ohio this spring will instantly recognize the value of
this habitat for shorebirds. The larger news is that this can be a boon
to farmers as well. Think of the Benton-Carroll property before it was
acquired by ONWR.
        There is much to be learned. Do shorebirds use ponded fields merely as
stopovers to rest, or are there sufficient food sources? Or harmful
chemicals? Will farmers and public agencies alike be willing to try this
in their fields?
Bill Whan
Columbus

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