Tom Foote writes:
> On Mon, 29 Jan 1996, Stuart MacKay wrote:

> > > (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..

We would certainly all agree here.

But I share Stuart's feeling from Michael message that his intention (or
the Festival's) is to *deliberately* launch a Falcon in the area in order
to trigger dramatic movement of shorebirds.

> ...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..

Again, that's fine... As far as they are not enticed to do so artificially.


Like Stuart and probably like many others, I would like some clarification
on what is going to happen at this Festival.


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