Lower Klamath mudhole to become 5 star bird diner
By Pat Ratliff
Klamath Courier Reporter
July 27, 2006
LOWER KLAMATH REFUGE - Travelers along Hwy 161 may have
noticed the main bird viewing area has been drained of water and is now
basically a large mudhole with a number of green and brown mud stained
pelicans working the last remaining holes for fish.
Calls were made to the Klamath Courier wondering why the
section of refuge was drained and whether the timing put baby honkers at
risk from coyotes, so we called the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to find out why.
"We're draining that section of the Refuge because the
mudflat will generate to seed." Dave Mauser, Wildlife Biologist
with the US F&W told the Klamath Courier, "Lots of plants that many
different birds prefer will sprout. Birds prefer the seasonal
marshes."
The drained area will be filled up later and draw many birds
to that area of the refuge, which may also keep some of them out of local
farmers fields prior to harvest.
The seasonal marshes are on a six to seven year rotational
plan.
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