One bird stands alone amongst the construction at the Oxford Retention Basin. In talking with the one of the workers, that bird knows a good meal when he sees one. Apparently, the locks are opened to refresh the basin and fish get thru so this little guy has a “gourmet buffet” to himself said the worker.

Buddy, a worker, walked with me Thursday morning and said within two weeks all the screening would be down and the rail fencing up. The next couple weeks after that would be completing the final touches.

Buddy had some other interesting facts that have probably been in the paperwork but never got translated for the public.

1. All greenery–trees and shrubs are both salt and fresh water tolerant.

2. The locks have pumps, which is new. The pumps can lower the water level one foot in about 15 minutes.

3. The soil that was removed was contaminated. One load was so badly contaminated that it had to go to Arizona to be processed. California has processing places but cannot handle soil contaminated to the extent the one load was.

4. The “curved surface in the middle is for birds. Probably, has other purposes, but hopefully birds will nest there, according to Buddy.