I would go one further and advocate building birding blinds (or in
Brit-speak, "hides") at appropriate sites. Examples of English-style viewing
hides can be seen at Terrapin Park, where, unfortunately, they don't get a
lot of use as the pond they face isn't very birdy. But they shelter you from
sun and rain, and prevent birds from being spooked. One might think -- they
will get vandalized, and that can happen -- but so far the ones at Terrapin
are doing okay. Certainly viewing hides and platforms are found in many
countries to accommodate birders, even countries where birders are rarer
than here (e.g., South Africa). Many are built by bird clubs at local
reserves, or are donated in memory of someone. I would expect that a blind
would be best in an area where there is at least modest oversight by park
officials. Blue Mash might be a good site, also the Oxbow Reserve.

Gail Mackiernan

on 09/14/2004 1:20 PM, Phil Davis at  wrote:

> Andy, et al.
>
> About every five years, I sound off about this ... there are many places
> around the state where viewing platforms would greatly augment our
> birdwatching abilities, and in some case, enhance personal safety. A few
> examples come to mind ... the North Beach marsh in Calvert County (lots of
> traffic and no shoulder), the former "Westinghouse Pond" next to the Bay
> Bridge, Oxbow Lake Preserve in Russet/Laurel. I'm sure there are tons more.
>
> "Viewing platforms" could be a great project for MOS to advocate, perhaps
> with funds and labor.
>
> Phil
>
>
> At 15:46 09/13/2004 -0400, Andy Martin wrote:
> (snip)
>> That pond begs for a viewing platform so you would not  have to scope
>> through the chain link fence.
>
> ==================================
> Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
> ==================================
>