On Mon, 29 Jan 1996, Stuart MacKay wrote:

> Michael Carmody wrote:
>
> > There is a way that you can help. The festival is centered around> the annual spring migration of shorebirds. Competent observers
> > (and hunting falcons) are needed to make the migration come alive ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > for the many novices that will be present.
>
> Pinch me hard, I must be having a bad dream !!!!!
>
> Is this what I think it is - ie "dammit, these shorebirds are not flying around in spectacular formation - send in a falcon to stir
> them up a bit !!!". I sincerely hope not and I apologize in advance if I have got the wrong idea. However it begs the quesion - Why would you want birds of prey at a Shorebird Festival ?????
>
Stuart--

I don't think that was Michael's intent..we've had this discussion
on-going on the air many times with callers who ask about predation
in one form or other..it's not bad, it's not good, it's what is
and an environment that has falcons and shorebirds is a complete
environment..Janet Partlow gave a really good answer to this
when she guested on Bird Talk and a woman called who was somewhat
perplexed by a Sharpie that grabbed a pine sisken off her bird
feeder. Janet simply told the woman she was very lucky to have such
a wonderful backyard that it contained all the aspects
of a healthy environment including predation. When Janet finished
talking the woman was less distressed about the event and very
excited about her backyard and the bigger picture.

When I've talked with Michael about this he's always talked about
the shorebirds and I'm the one that marvels at the falcon attacks..I
guess what I like about the falcon presence is not so much the
sensational attacks they might make, but that incredibly beautiful
shorebird ballet they set in motion...few things in this world are more
impressive than dunlin balling up and flashing their collective
underbelly so it catches the sun, again and again..back and forth.
it's startlingly gorgeous and something novices would not soon
forget..and it's a chance to educate them when they ask why that's
happening..

Hurry back, Stuart...we all miss you and your amazing energy.

Tom