Herb Curl wrote:

> Perhaps Dennis would volunteer to write the article on "subcommittees" and
> how they might function?

What would be the aims for establishing a formal organisation or special
interest group ?

If it is simply a group of people who get "turned on", I mean that in the
most innocent way ;-), by a species, then a informal grouping may be
appropriate.

If there is some research to be carried out, for example, surveys, nest
records, etc then it might be more appropriate to have some form of
organisation to coordinate interest and spread the word. Special interest
groups such as the Wader Study Group have evolved from
birders/banders/scientists getting together to exchange information, ideas,
etc.

In both cases tweeters and WOS provide interesting forums for exchange of
information, discourse etc.

> We also need some suggestions on candidate species that could use some
> attention.

Well, being totally biased towards shorebirds, I'll nominate sanderling. I've
working on them for the last few weeks, though my banding permit hasn't
arrived yet :'-(.

I'd also like to do lots of stuff on shorebirds at Grays Harbor. The fact
that no research is currently being carried out at this world class site as
far as I know, is in my opinion nothing short of a scandal !!!! By research I
mean answering simple questions such as "Where do the birds roost ?" The
answer to which is far from being answered.

Such work doesn't have to be too involved. Looking for roost sites is easy.
Looking for color banded birds is also easy - though a little tedious at
times, unless you find one.


There are far more thoughts, questions and answers which spring to mind when
considering the possibilites.....

Stuart
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Stuart MacKay AT&T Wireless Services
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stuart.mackay at mccaw.com
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