FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Re: Experiences at Occoquan Bay NWR

["Glenn Koppel" <gjkoppel@xxxxxxx>]

Jay,
Interesting, we were there Saturday during the day and the personnel we
encountered were very nice.  And the picnicing thing is weird, they just
build that pavillion with picnic tables, what do they think that is used
for?
We also did now see any closed signs except for the driving loop out of the
parking area which we thought odd also, considering all those Exxon people
were there.
Hopefully this won't become commonplace and birders will be welcome at the
refuge.
Glenn Koppel
gjkoppel@xxxxxxx
Centreville, VA 20120-2901


-----Original Message-----
From: va-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:va-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Jay Keller
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 8:17 PM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [va-bird] Experiences at Occoquan Bay NWR


VA-Birders,

  I think it is important that I let you all know about some unfortunate
occurrences that I have recently experienced at Occoquan Bay NWR if you are
planning to visit.

  I will preface this by saying that the refuge is one of my very favorite
places to visit not just in Virginia, but in the country.  It is a place
that I have birded dozens of times and think it is well maintained and is
very much appreciated being so close to a major metropolitan area.

  I posted this weekend that my family and I were unable to access the
refuge before 7 PM because the gates were already closed, and that we were
planning to "picnic" in the refuge while awaiting the possible return of the
reported Sandhill Crane.  I was contacted via e-mail from a US Fish and
Wildlife representative that picnicing on the refuge would not be tolerated
and that law enforcement would intervene if the activity was observed.  My
"picnic" would have merely consisted of my family and me eating sandwiches
from the comfort of my car in the parking lot.  However, the fact that I was
"reminded" about potential law enforcement action is something that I do not
believe is appropriate, especially since the response came from one of my
posts on this listserv.  Additionally, I believe this contact from the FWS
representative violates the terms of this listserv.  My apologies if my
earlier comments contributed to a belief that picnicing was welcomed at the
refuge.

  I would also like to point out that my experience earlier that day was
also marked with an unfortunate encounter by another FWS employee.  I was
walking past the gazebo and noticed that one trail that is normally closed
was apparently open, presumably to allow the nice folks from Exxon to host a
clean-up of the refuge.  Several of these folks were meandering through this
area so I walked the trail that eventually leads to the bird banding area to
pay them a visit to see what was going on and maybe lend a hand if they
needed it.  After I arrived, one of the FWS banders reprimanded me for
walking on a closed portion of the refuge, even though no sign was posted
and the Exxon volunteers were freely walking the area.  I left the refuge
that day with a very bad taste in my mouth, as would be the case on my
second visit that same day!

  As someone who has been a steward of the refuge for years, taking hundreds
of hours of bird data (all entered on Cornell's eBird), informally helping
out with a King Rail survey (and continuing that on a personal level since),
posts often which may help attract visitors who want to see birds, and who
buys an annual federal refuges pass (formerly the Golden Eagle pass), I take
issue with those who choose to take this tact with the very folks who are
among the best stewards of their refuges.  Of course the rules and laws of
the refuge need to be enforced, but there is a reasonable manner in which to
do that in my opinion.

  I am not sure I will feel comfortable posting my bird observations at
OBNWR any longer.  I would hope that the relationship between FWS and the
folks that pay taxes and additional fees to access the refuges while doing
so within the rules and laws would improve beyond what I have experienced of
late.  We are all on the same team.

  Thanks,

  Jay Keller,
  Arlington





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