Marty:

The primary qualifications are that you be able to identify birds by
sight, call and song. The majority of birds will be detected aurally so
that skill is critical. If you are a fast learner, you might be able to do
it with just a little tutoring. I will be out of the office Thursday but
will be in on Friday. Let me know what you think. Thanks for your
interest.

Dave Manuwal

On Wed, 1 May 1996, Marty Cassidy wrote:

> 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
>
>