Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 13:00:09 -0800
From: Stuart MacKay <stuart at animal.blarg.net>
Subject: Re: Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival

Michael Carmody wrote:
>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.
Perplexed as ever, Stuart

Tweeters:
I admire an individual who can *apologize in advance*. No falcon
attacks have been arranged. Thirty years ago my grandmother worried about
communist invasions and UFO landings. Both of her concerns have a better
chance of happening during the shorebird festival than does a deliberate
falcon release.
The dialogue between Mr.MacKay, Mr.Foote, and others(I subscribe to the
digest and am at least one day behind) has helped to keep my original
invitation for volunteers from becoming lost amid the numerous daily
postings.
During the past three days eleven birder/tweeters have contacted me
about participating at the festival. I am pleased with this first round of
contacts. Once again I am asking readers to consider giving time and
talents to this event. This festival is worthy of being more than a one
day 'thread' on tweeters. This is a great event for the refuge.

My original posting follows:
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 16:05:20 -0800
From: legacy at halcyon.com (Michael Carmody)
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival

The weekend of April 27 & 28, 1996, The Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
will occur. The refuge at Bowerman Basin is a big winner from this event
as it is receiving a lot of positive press---and funding. Support for the
festival comes from the State of Washington, Audubon(both national and
local chapters), WOS, The Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and many
others.
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.
My task, as a volunteer birder like yourself, is to provide the event
with birders and scopes to facilitate viewing. There will be three viewing
areas. In each area my goal is to have at least two birders with scopes.
The field time can be divided into three hour blocks (8-11AM, 11AM-2PM, and
2PM-5PM). The same schedule can be used for both days. A total of
thirty-six birders with scopes will be needed to reach this goal.(My fear
is only the King Eider can gather thirty-six birders to one spot during a
two day period). A response from you will help me to learn the level
interest--and commitment--there is among the birding/tweeters community.
You are more knowledgeable than the hundreds of curios 'civilians' that
will attend. You can contribute to this event. Check out the great web
page at http://www.wln.com/~dschwick/ to learn more about the festival.
Please respond to me directly if you can commit to sharing your knowledge
during either of the two days. This will be a lot of fun.
Michael Carmody
Legacy at halcyon.com
(360) 754-6186
113 W 5th Ave.
Olympia WA 98501