Area Birders: Tennessee Nature Conservancy bog sites in Shady Valley, TN have been closed to public access, according to Charles McQueen who manages Shady Valley preserve properties for TNC. The decision has been made due to extensive vandalism. A Conservancy lawyer has determined that the properties must be closed for all public use in order to enforce protection of the properties. Any entry must be approved with TNC in advance on an individual basis. This closure applies to all birders for whatever reason and whatever hours and includes not just birders but all persons. The Conservancy is in the process of making arrangements needed to gate, or chain and/or post properties. Field trips sponsored and conducted this weekend by the Tennessee Ornithological Society and accompanied by leaders will be permitted to access the bogs for the purpose of birding the areas. Let's go birding . . . Wallace Coffey Bristol, TN