[mou] Fw: New Pool 7 viewing area, Miss. R. & Brownsville mudflat (Houston Co.)

[fred lesher]

--- On Mon, 11/3/08, fred lesher <corax6330 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: fred lesher <corax6330 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: New Pool 7 viewing area, Miss. R. &  Brownsville mudflat (Houston Co.)
> To: "min bird" <mnbird at lists.mnbird.net>
> Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 4:59 PM
> From the newly constructed viewing area along Hwy 26 in
> Houston Co. south of Brownsville this afternoon, Nov. 3:
> 
> Tundra Swan---------2000-3000 Mostly far to the east side
> of Pool 7.
> Double-crested Cormorant---------????
> Duck species: Mallard, Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, scaup
> species----????
> Bald Eagle-----------250+
> Am. Coot------------????
> 
> The USFWS & MNDOT have collaborated to construct an
> excellent viewing area south of Brownville on Hwy 26. It is
> about 200 feet long & 50 feet wide, paved, handicapped
> & open parking, interpretive kiosk with pamphlets,
> safety rail, & two mounted/secured spotting scopes
> including one wheel chair accessible. The COE has dredged
> & constructed sandbars & mudflats subject to river
> levels as well as sites for backwater vegetation in front of
> the viewing area about 100 yards distant & extending
> east further toward the main channel (distant, in
> Wisconsin). Ducks, Canada Geese & Bald Eagles stand
> safely on sandbars. Well, at least the eagles are safe, and
> in fact prey on wounded waterfowl & unlucky coots. 
> 
> This is a fine place to view Mississippi River birdlife,
> especially in migration, as well as wintering Bald Eagles
> & other raptors. 
> 
> Fred Lesher
> LaCrosse, Wis.