Hi Tweeters In response to Irene Wanners question about shooting fish
in a barrel - One of my greatest pleasures in birding comes when I
decide to find a lifer or other special bird. I'll research the bird's
habits, habitats, migration routes and times. Then, the big test. I
think my biggest thrill was last summer when I decided to see my life
buff breasted sandpiper. I found the right habitat earlier in the year,
picked a day, drove to the spot, stepped out of the car and there was a
flock of 13 of them. Further down the road was a field with at last 100
more. I guess I forgot to mention the final ingredient for such a quest
- unbelieveable luck. You need less of the latter with more research.
The same morning I came across a prairie falcon - the first I had seen
in canada. I don't thin k the thrill was too much less than finding the
target species.

To find whooping cranes in Canada I did a bit more research, finding
scientific papers on their migration and contacting both bird chatters
in the target area and the wildlife biologist responsible for endangered
species. This also was a successful search on which I actually found
some cranes at sites other than the ones suggested to me.

I guess my answer to Irene's question is that I would use whatever
amount of help I feel comfortable with to find a certain bird. The more
I can do on my own the more satisfied I am. I never hesitate to contact
Tweeters or Chatters.

Cheers, Larry
--
Larry de March ldemarch at escape.ca
467 Churchill Dr. (204) 452-6338 (H)
Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 983-5182 (W)
Canada
R3L 1W3