Thank you, Scott, for providing some inspiration and ideas for other
Tweeters who may want to -- or already are -- keeping close track of the
changes in birdlife in their "neighborhood" or other favorite locale.

Scott Richardson wrote (among other things):

>My survey parameters call for censusing all waterbirds floating or taking
>flight from the water--except gulls. I note all species detected, but limit
>my careful censusing to shorten field time. Although sheer abundance of
>birds will not be impressive at this site, a good variety of species can be
>seen at close range. Water surface area in the survey unit is about 37 acres
>(15 ha) at high tide, with various amounts of mud flat exposed at lows.

I'm personally doing something similar, though not on a set schedule or
using a particular methodology. I do tend to go to the same areas again and
again, usually not more than a week or two apart, and lately I've started
counting the birds I see by species. Especially with diving birds, I know
this at best gives only a relative idea of abundance, but helps give a
general feel for who the players are and what's going on.

I would encourage anyone not doing so to start some sort of project like
this on their own. It reminds me of previous WOS meetings, discussions on
Tweeters, and other places where amateur study has been encouraged (I
remember Dennis in particular being an advocate of this in the past).
Someday when you least expect it, your "data" _may_ be requested and prove
valuable (we even see such requests on Tweeters from time to time -- anyone
sending sanderling sightings to Stuart?). Some sort of consistency and
structure to your effort (Scott's "survey parameters") could make it even
more valuable and useful in documenting trends, etc. Over time you can
learn a tremendous amount about birds in general, even if you choose to
concentrate on a single species -- you never know where it might lead you.
At the very least, to my mind, it offers a chance to be outdoors and have
fun.

BTW, the first Black Scoters showed up in this area only in the last few
days (that I've seen, anyway), and rafts of Buffleheads just turned up, but
I have yet to see a goldeneye ...

Now I should take my own advice and get back outside.

-- Janet Hardin
Port Townsend, WA
wings at olympus.net