Subject: RE: Sage Thrasher
Date: Aug 30 09:19:39 1995
From: Dennis Paulson - dpaulson at ups.edu


>On Tue, 29 Aug 1995, Dennis Paulson wrote:
>> How about single-species field trips? An Audubon or WOS or OFO or BCFO
>> field trip just to appreciate and learn about a single species of bird?
>
>Actually, how about the annual SAS trip to the Yakima Firing Range to see
>Sage Grouse? While the birders do not ignore the other species seen, it
>is principally to see and study Sage Grouse, and is quite an experience
>if any of you haven't already done it. Being there at 4 AM is also a bit
>of an experience...
>
>Anyone out there want to get together a Boreal Owl trip? I'll go! (how
>about a Spoon-billed Sandpiper trip?)
>
>-------------
>Michael R. Smith

Mike, I meant a *common* bird, not a *rare* bird; there's *no* end of
enthusiasm for the latter. No offense meant.....although number of
asterisks does indicate intensity of feeling. And you know better than
most of us how short we are on information for many of the common species.

Sage Grouse is only available as an example because the only way people can
see their Sage Grouse is to go on the organized trip. Maybe in the
(hopefully distant) future, when many birds are to be found only on
strictly controlled reserves, there will be a lot more single-species field
trips.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416