Stuart:
>The bottom line question is the festival promoting shorebirds,
>birds of prey or falconry ?

This thought crossed my mind, as well. Is it to celebrate
shorebirds, or raptor food?

I'd also like to point out that raptor displays are as stereotyped
as the Gatoraid dunking of the winning coach in the Superbowl. It
seems that whenever bird conservation comes up, shortly thereafter
someone shows up with a raptor on their fist.

I've liked the concept of the shorebird festival, as there aren't
too many such events around - enjoyment of a simple spectacle.
Yes, we have the Waterfowl Festival at Malheur, but that exists
because ducks taste yummy. We have our Eagle Festival at K-falls,
and you folks greatly publicize the wintering birds up the
Skagit Valley. The shorebird festival isn't about food for
man or our national emblem, but just about amazing numbers of
group of birds that many have noticed at the coast, but have never
stopped to wonder about.

Though a raptor display (static) wouldn't harm shorebirds,
obviously, it would dilute the focus of the event, IMO.

If we're trying to enlighten the locals by distracting their
attention from shorebirds, let's go whole hog and bring a spotted owl.

- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>