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Posted by Vince Lucas on 10:15:29 03/05/05
In Reply to: Peregrine Falcon. posted by Larry Manfredi
Larry:
Nice photo! The Peregrine hangs out on the highrise condos that you see on Marco from Tigertail beach. We've seen him many times including taking a Laughing Gull and peeps over the months. No surprise there that passersby didn't take notice of the Peregrine eating the Royal Tern. Most aren't there for the "nature." The following message taken from the Collier County Audubon Society's December "Audugram" may be of interest to you and other fellow TAS members:
Behemoth Boardwalk Threatens Sand Dollar
Ted Below, Collier County Audubon Society president and coastal water bird researcher for 30 years, recently wrote that the Tigertail Beach-Sand Dollar area on Marco Island is the second most important coastal bird habitat on the entire Gulf Coast for nesting, resting, and feeding.
Collier County is proposing to build a "superhighway" boardwalk across the central lagoon of this unique area to deposit as many sunbathers and beachcombers as possible on the now remote Gulf side of Sand Dollar.
Collier County Audubon Society Board of Directors is unconditionally opposed to the causeway and any other human actions that threaten Sand Dollar. The board will take legal action, if necessary, to defend Sand Dollar and its wildlife. President Ted Below conveyed this position to Collier County on October 28, 2004.
Since Florida established the Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area in 1988, the world has recognized this dynamic area as a coastal water bird mecca. It draws bird watchers and wildlife viewers from around the globe.
Incredibly, Collier County officials fail to see the treasure in Sand Dollar and are risking its demise.
The preliminary design shows a 1,688 foot long, 16 foot high, and 14 foot wide concrete and wood structure spanning the lagoon. The causeway is supported by 100 pairs of pilings and will accommodate "eight-seater" golf carts to shuttle people to and from Sand Dollar. An engineering firm based in Jacksonville has been hired for $40,000 to do a "feasibility study."
Point One: If a study is going to be done, it should be a comprehensive one that looks at all options to address the "problems." There is not enough public access to sunbathing because on Marco Island. People are foolishly trying to wade the lagoon and cross the closed bird nesting areas because they don't want to walk around.
Point Two: A behemoth boardwalk is not the only option to address these issues. The county must aggressively examine alternative way to open additional access points. Offshore parking locations and shuttle service should be explored. Also, parking and use of current beach parks can be better organized to promote bathing beach access.
Education and promotion of Sand Dollar as a unique, dynamic coastal habitat area is ultimately the right course of action. This will generate ecotourism, bird watching, and nature appreciation.
CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TODAY.
* 1. Urge them to protect Sand Dollar and coastal water birds.
* 2. Tell them the Causeway Feasibility Study must look at ALL the options including a "no build" option and shuttles to sunning beaches.
Send your comments to:
Collier County Board of Commissioners
3301 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34112
Commissioners@colliergov.net
fax (239) 774-3602
There will public hearings. CCAS will keep you posted through the Audugram, email alerts, and our web site www.collieraudubon.com
Brad Cornell, Environmental Policy Analyst
: I photographed this Peregrine Falcon on Tigertail Beach Marco Island. The bird is dining on a Royal Tern, I was able to get very close for this photograph. Beach goers where walking right by without even glancing at the bird.
:
: Larry Manfredi
: E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net
: http://www.southfloridabirding.com
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