Jul 12, 2008

Bird education to take flight near refuge

Permanent displays to nest on nearby Tunnel Avenue Bridge

By Christine Morente / Bay Area News Group

A family of ducks swam through the algae-laden waters of the Brisbane Lagoon at low tide. Not too far off, a lone great white egret stood and looked around its murky home early Friday morning.

To most people, the habits and characteristics of the birds that live there are a mystery.

So to help the average person understand them better, permanent bird signs are expected to be mounted along nearby Tunnel Avenue Bridge.

"The lagoon is a wonderful refuge for birds," said Margery Bushman, a Brisbane resident and avid bird watcher. "If you educate people to what's around, (the birds) are respected."

Bushman is a part of a strong contingent of residents working hard to preserve the lagoon for wildlife habitat.

There are 24 species of birds living in the lagoon, according to a 2007 bird species count by the Golden Gate Audubon Society.

Regulars include the brown pelican, the great blue heron, the mallard, and the red-tail hawk.

On a recent walk, resident Dana Dillworth said she counted 14 egrets - a "mommy egret and baby egrets."

From the Tunnel Avenue Bridge, which goes over the Caltrain tracks, pedestrians can look out to the lagoon and bird-watch.
Twenty different bird signs with illustrations and brief descriptions are proposed to flank both sides of the east railings.

Jim Skeels, Brisbane parks and recreation director, said the signs will be paid for through donations. Residents and businesses are welcome to purchase a sign for $530. The deadline to participate in the project is Sept. 5.

Signs would mimic the ones already on the Bay trail at the Oyster Point area of South San Francisco.

The lagoon makes up 101 acres of the Baylands, and is one of the Bay Area's largest migratory stop-overs for certain birds.

The tidal pool is mostly shallow, feeds from the Bay, and has both salt and fresh water.

Bushman, who is also the director of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce, drove around the lagoon Friday morning and marveled at how primal the area looked. Bushman pointed out an egret.

"You always find that the most beautiful birds live in the most beautiful places," she said. "I think they are quite beautiful. I especially think the herons and the egrets are beautiful. We're lucky we have a lot of them."