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For ibises, just add water

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THE water rushed in, the Kern National Wildlife Refuge filled and the white-faced ibis came.

This spring is the first time in its 44-year history that the wetlands filled, attracting 5,000 to 6,000 protected birds, more than five times as many as last year.

For the record:

12:00 a.m. June 25, 2004 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday June 25, 2004 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 50 words Type of Material: Correction
Ibis population -- An article in the June 15 Outdoors section said the number of white-faced ibises at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge in the spring was five times greater than in the previous year. The population of 5,000 to 6,000 birds grew by about 1,000 between 2003 and 2004.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday June 29, 2004 Home Edition Outdoors Part F Page 3 Features Desk 1 inches; 50 words Type of Material: Correction
Ibis population -- An article in last week’s Outdoors section incorrectly said the number of white-faced ibises at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge in the spring was five times greater than in the previous year. The population of 5,000 to 6,000 birds grew by about 1,000 between 2003 and 2004.

“I look at the ibis as a bellwether that the things we’re doing are good,” says Bob McLandress, president of California Waterfowl Assn.

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David Hardt, refuge manager, says the bird influx may signal an increase in the ibis population, nearly killed off by DDT.

The birds are greenish-black and long-billed, with a smattering of white facial feathers.

-- Ashley Powers

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