This location is a small mitigation wetland created about three years ago and flooded and planted two or three years ago at most. The city of Delaware Ohio manages the new park (a hilltop recreational trail invites bikes and walkers). It's close enough to the Olentangy River to attract overflight migrants using terrain features as navigation cues. It is a good example of a responsible attempt at effective mitigation by introduction of very high biodiversity in an attempt to introduce a self-sustaining ecosystem (if that's possible) in a new small excavation (this was an average farm field a few years ago--still is in the Google Earth image dated 2006). Many "mitigation" attempts result in little more than retention ponds with a light mix of wetland species tossed in. A few firms take a different approach, attempting to leave an enduring wetland behind. This looks like one of these attempts to me. It is especially vulnerable to trampling at this time because it is very small and newly established. The plant assemblage is impressive, the macroinvertebrate fauna may be far less impressive and may never mitigate for loss of 'real' wetland, but the birds like the place, so do birders. Both are getting their fill, for now. Tread lightly. This location is designed for heavy multiple use--and will be used very much as it is discovered by more and more user groups (last time I was there I watched a bicyclist practicing acrobatics using the paved trail). If birders stay on the trails and dike--birds will undoubtedly remain observable. A little patience goes a long way! Tom Bain local -----Original Message----- From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Renee Tressler Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 9:53 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] No Nelson's Sparrows, Snipe Marsh, Delaware + word of caution Um, Isn't the marsh in question a 'permit access only' site? If so, perhaps it is for some of the reasons already stated If not, I'm confusing it with another location it that general vicinity. Of course this poses another, rather than answering any, question. Renee ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]