[birdky] Shorebird habitat at Ballard

Took a quick trip to Ballard this afternoon before work.  Was quite surprised 
at the change in water levels at Mitchell and Lower Beaver Dam Slough.  
Mitchell is about 6 to 8 inches lower than it was 2 days ago.  The mudflat at 
the levee is probably 1/2 acre in size and had about 125 shorebirds on it.  
Lower Beaver Dam Slough however is a foot to 18 inches higher than 2 days ago.  
This is due to the fact that the drain from Lower Beaver Dam slough has been 
closed but Mitchell is still being allowed to drain into Lower Beaver Dam 
slough.  There is no longer any decent shorebird habitat on Lower Beaver Dam 
slough but Mitchell has improved nicely.  I didn't have time to check the north 
end of Mitchell but can only assume the ankle deep water I was wading through 2 
days ago is now mudflat.  If this is an attempt by KDFWR to provide quality 
shorebird habitat on Mitchell Lake in spring, then it's a nice start.  If the 
rain continues to hold off, (and no water is pumped), Mitchell Lake should only 
get better in the coming days and should be really nice this fall.  Highlights 
include;
MISS KITE  3
BALD EAGLE  1
SEMI PLOVER  6
KILLDEER  1
LESSER YEL LEGS  2
SEMI SANDPIPER  6
LEAST SANDPIPER  75
PECTORAL SANDPIPER 25
DUNLIN   1
BOBOLINK  6

Scott Record
Ragland KY
================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBERS==============

The BIRDKY Mailing List requires you to sign 
your messages with first & last name, city, & 
state abbreviation.
--------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, send e-mail to:
birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send e-mail to:
birdky-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject line.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Visit the Kentucky Ornithological Society
web site at http://www.biology.eku.edu/kos.htm
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
BIRDKY List Manager: Gary Ritchison, Richmond, KY
E-mail: gary.ritchison@xxxxxxx

Other related posts: