Now that spring migration is almost here, the thoughts of many Minnesota birders turn to sewage ponds (where else?!). Many of this state's municipal sewage ponds (or sewage lagoons or wastewater treatment ponds, if you prefer) are excellent birding locations, although birders are also well aware that these sites are almost always posted and technically off-limits. (There are a few exceptions where access may be tolerated or possible to arrange, although such access is unavailable or unknown to most birders and still involves making special arrangements.)
The following item is from the March 2015 Birding Community E-bulletin, a monthly on-line newsletter authored by Paul Baicich and Wayne Peterson which is archived by the National Wildlife Refuge Association (http://refugeassociation.org/news/birding-bulletin).... ACCESS MATTERS: MUSKEGON CO. WASTEWATER RECOGNIZED In western Michigan, the 11,000-acre Muskegon County Wastewater Management System (MCWMS) is large enough with its imposing aeration and settling basins, storage lagoons, and irrigated croplands to be identified by orbiting NASA astronauts. It is also one of the best spots in western Michigan for birds and birding. We neglected last year to point out that MCWMS had been recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council's "Rookie of the Year" award at its annual symposium in November. The award is presented annually to a newly certified "Wildlife at Work" program which is designed to highlight work on creating, conserving, and restoring wildlife habitats on corporate lands. You can find the news on last November's award, here: www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2014/11/muskegon_county_wastewater_man_1.html The Muskegon County Wastewater Management System is impressive enough that it has already been designated s an Important Bird Area (IBA). See details here: http://netapp.audubon.org/IBA/Site/2144 The location of the MCWMS makes it especially attractive during migration to waterfowl, long-legged waders, and shorebirds. The concentrations of Semipalmated Sandpipers can be particularly notable. The raptors regularly recorded at MCWMS can include Rough-legged Hawks, Golden Eagles, Short-eared Owls, and, in winter, Snowy Owls. MCWMS not only protects and enhances habitat for birds and other wildlife, but it also allows welcoming access to birders. In fact, birders have had a good working relationship with MCWMS management for years. Visitors need only stop by the MCWMS office to pick up an entry permit, good for two years, to display on their vehicle's dashboard. This is another fine example of a wastewater facility where birder access, and public access, can mean a great deal... and is a benefit to all parties. Last year's award to MCWMS is living proof. ____________________ Muskegon County is just one of many examples of wastewater management facilities in other states that welcome birders. Among those I am familiar with that annually cater to hundreds (if not thousands) of visiting birders are in Gilbert, Sierra Vista, Tucson, and Willcox (Arizona); in Austin, Corpus Christi, Edinburg, Port Aransas, San Antonio, and Uvalde (Texas); in Hoaquim and Ocean Shores (Washington); and in Vancouver, B.C. Some of these even include informational kiosks, trail maps, and bird lists. Meanwhile, by my count there are nearly 370 municipal sewage ponds here in Minnesota, and not one of them that I know of has a policy of welcoming visiting birders. I wonder if someone could be contacted at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, some other state agency, or the individual cities themselves to see if Minnesota can change its way of thinking. If sewage ponds in other states are open and even welcoming to visiting birders, is there a reason why the same is not possible here? - Kim Eckert, Duluth http://mbwbirds.com ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
