Journal of a Sabbatical |
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June 7, 2001 |
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least terns |
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Today's
bird sightings: Today's Reading: Unbeaten Tracks in Japan by Isabella Bird, Summer from the Journals of Henry David Thoreau edited by H.G.O. Blake, Sand Dunes and Salt Marshes by Charles Wendell Townsend, Books and Habits by Lafcadio Hearn Today's Starting Pitcher: Tim Wakefield Plum Island Bird List for 2001 Plum Island Life List |
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It's been an easy day until the very
end of the shift when I stop a visitor who has entered the
closed area along the water line. She's indignant and
informs me the beach is public at the low tide line. I tell
her this is federal property and the beach is closed to the
mean low tide line. She argues that in all her 35 years
living there no one has ever told her that, but finally
turns and leaves. As I'm leaving I notice out of the corner
of my eye that I drive up to headquarters and just explain that I don't want to leave without telling someone that it looks like the trespasser I had deterred is coming back. That's being all I can do, I take off for other commitments. I can't shake off the feeling that whatever we do to try to save the piping plover will not be enough. The pressures on the beaches from human settlement are so intense that I'm afraid all beach nesting birds are doomed. They'll maybe survive on remote islands but not so close to civilization. The pit of my stomach sinks at the thought of life without piping plovers and least terns (to name two beach nesters already in trouble). This reminds me about an article I read in Tuesday's Boston Globe about beach erosion and about how PI residents want to bring in sand and do a beach renourishment project and take other desperate measures like seawalls and groins to protect their property rather than planting beach grass and other sand loving plants to catch the sand and let the sand circulate normally. I guess if my house was that close to the water I'd be worried too. Most of these houses were built before very much was known about sand circulation on barrier beaches, so it's hard to be critical. On the other hand I see new buildings going up both here and on Salisbury Beach and I have to wonder if people have learned much from the storms of this winter and winters past. My mood worsens as I drive back into town along the river and see a For Sale sign on a very narrow strip of land next to the Merrimack. I can't imagine building a house there - it would have to be on stilts like the one house further east that's built in the river. One less spot for wintering ducks and brant. People gradually nudge out all the natural beauty they've come here to enjoy. Without any sense of irony at all. |
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Copyright © 2001, Janet I. Egan |