I think fences are never a welcome sign to bird watchers. Today, I was stunned to see a massive new chain link fence being installed by an army of Excel workers along the traditional gull viewing causeway area near Black Dog Park. The fence appeared to extend from the power plant along the east side of the RR tracks all the way to the RR tracks. They were also dismantling the pedestrian foot bridge that previously provided access over the RR tracks to the MNVNWR trails in this area. I did not try to negotiate access due to the work activity, nor did I try to talk with anyone as the noise level was awful.
Perhaps someone from MNVNWR, or anyone with knowledge of the situation, could respond with an explanation of what this fence is intended to accomplish. Somehow, I think I know the answer. And how will this fence affect access to the refuge's trail system? This is the most well known gull viewing locale in the metro area and it will truly be a loss if access is no longer permitted. Some clarification will be appreciated. I went to the site at about 11:00am today as I could see several 100 gulls loafing near the causeway - as seen from Black Dog Road at east end of lake. Jim Mattsson Eagan ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
