Subject: Re: migration spectacle from the Gulf
Date: May 14 12:28:23 1998
From: John Fleckenstein - jfmm490 at gwgate.wadnr.gov


Folks,
I was just going through some old digests and found the messages
which Dennis forwarded regarding surveys from Gulf of Mexico oil
platforms. What a spectacular event!! It suggests the number of
phenomenona of which we have little grasp. A few that come to
mind...I had known that migration was a risky time for these guys, but the
mortality caused by this long over-water flight could be incredible. Why
is this type of event so rare - one supervisor said he had seen one
similar event in 25 years. How are migrations channeled? Were these
platforms in the main flow of birds, were there several such flows, or
was it over a broad front? I'm sure this will be a very useful event in our
developing knowledge on migration.

That's the scientific angle. My aesthetic personna is truely in awe. The
bruises on my chin will take a while to heal. When we produce "The
Best of Tweeters" these notes will surely make the list.

Thanks very much to Dennis for forwarding these messages.

John Fleckenstein
Natural Heritage Program
Washington Department of Natural Resources
John.Fleckenstein at wadnr.gov
(360) 902-1674