Thanks, everybody, for the suggestions on release sites for my Lapland
longspurs. I thought at first that I might take them to Ocean Shores
(Laplands are apparently commonly seen there on migration). But on second
thought I realized that I am not certain how disoriented my captives might
be. Theoretically, they should know that it's time to migrate, but they
might be one or two months off. So I decided to put them somewhere not
quie so close to the big vast Pacific, and a little closer to agriculture,
in case they fly the wrong way at first or don't migrate at all for a
while. So I drove them up to Skagit Flats on Thursday. They shot out of
the travel kennel in roughly the same direction, with excited flight
calls, so they might still be in a flock (or they might not). I left a
bunch of seed for them, which I'm sure they'll never find!

They are all banded with a single FWS aluminum band on the right leg.

If anyone sees them, please let me know (not necessary for my research --
I'd just like to know how they're doing)

And also, how was the WOS meeting? I wish I could have come...I had to
change my plans at the last minute due to a foot injury (couldn't walk or
stand much, therefore field trips were out) and band rehearsal conflicts.
Darn...

szia,
Kathleen