Dave,


At 04:30 PM 5/1/96 -0700, you wrote:
>
>We are in the second year of a two year study characterizing birds,
>particularly Neotropical migrants, in habitats in Klickitat County. As
>many of you know, this is a good birding area. I need some volunteer help
>conducting point counts in our study areas.

This sure sounds like an interesting project to me. I'd
be interested in volunteering, but:

You didn't say what kind of experience you were looking
for. I've been birding for three years now, and would
like your honest, blunt, assessment on my qualifications
to work on such a project. Your opinion would help
me greatly to work on my skills.

I've recorded just over 200 species in Wash state,
noted that I needed to spend more time in E wash as I
was weak there, and haven't been off shore. I bird
pretty much in all weather and in all conditions. I
seek out new locations, am willing to drive, and love
back- and forest roads. Usually I camp.

I've birded in Cal, NM, and Arizona, as well as OR. I
am not a joiner type, so don't usually go out in groups
or bird clubs, although now and then it isn't bad. I
have not done any such work as you are asking for.

On the plus side, I likely can make the committment
you ask, I'm certainly interested in spending time in
the area, and the time schedule sounds good. If this
works out, I'm positive I will learn a great deal; not
a great deal for you, but appealing to me.

As I said, your perfectly blunt opinion on my
suitability for this project is requested. Believe
me, a negative response, with a bit of explanation,
would be most helpful to me to map my next steps
in this avocation. A positive response would send
me to my calendar to identify the days I could make
it.

Thanks a lot for hearing me out. Looking forward to
your advice....

Marty Cassidy
cassidym at accessone.com (2 c's and 2 s's)
Seattle, WA USA