Hi Tweets -

I have been enjoying our late extended summer up on our hill. Had a
small flock of mostly juvenile Yellow-rumped Warblers (Audubon's types)
thru yesterday afternoon. This morning there was much activity with
Steller's Jays fussing at something (never did reveal what), and a group
of crows acting like they were mobbing something but it turned out they
were really involved in morning yakking. Had my first Golden-crowned
Sparrows this morning. As I walked the hill it struck me again the
richness of bird life we have in the northwest, and also the increasing
number of involved birders.

This led me to reflect on one of the most rewarding experiences I have
had in birding. Every two to three years Seattle Audubon conducts its
Master Birder class for intermediate birders. I was fortunate to be in
the 97/98 class. You receive some of the best education and training
about birds (identification, habitats, behavior) and
ornithology/conservation you could wish for, including some great field
time. Great instructors including people such as Dennis Paulson, Gordon
Oriens, Bob Sundstrom, Bud Anderson, Andy Stepniewski and more. In
addition, the other folks in the class are always terrific people from a
real variety of birding and "real life" backgrounds. I recommend the
program highly and urge interested Tweeters to look into the Master
Birder 2000 program. (Statement of Bias - I am on the Master Birder 2000
Committee and am highly biased toward the program.)

Here is some additional information about the Master Birder Program
below (Application not attached).

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com
www.peregrinenorthwest.com

SAS MASTER BIRDER PROGRAM

Seattle Audubon Society will inaugurate a new session of the Master
Birder program on January 24, 2000. This will be the fifth time that
this series of enriching and challenging classes has been offered,
giving advanced intermediate birders the opportunity to improve their
birding skills and raise their ecological awareness.

The program runs for twelve weeks in 2000 (January 24-April 12), and
eight weeks in 2001 (February thru March). Classes meet on Mondays and
Wednesdays in the Douglas room at the Center for Urban Horticulture, and
last two hours, from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Courses are taught by a wide
range of environmental specialists, and Dr. Dennis Paulson, Director of
the University of Puget Sound?s Slater Museum. Several field trips are
included.

SAS Master Birder is an education-for-service program. Rather than
monetary tuition, participants will provide a minimum of 80 hours
service to Seattle Audubon?s many educational and environmental
projects. Participants in previous Master birder programs currently
fill many SAS leadership positions, enhance every area of our diverse
agenda, and continue to enthusiastically initiate new and exciting
endeavors.

This is a selective program designed for adults, and limited to 24
enrollees. Applicants should be Advanced Intermediate Birders, with a
background in classes and in the field. Applicants will be screened by
the Master Birder Committee and Dr. Dennis Paulson.

If selected for the program, you are expected to:

o Attend every class meeting and field trip
o Participate attentively in each class and perform satisfactorily on
tests and assignments
o Repay Seattle Audubon through substantial volunteer service?the
minimum expectation is 80 hours over three years (1/2000-12/2002)
o Maintain membership in SAS

Your signature on the application indicates that you understand these
expectations and agree to comply with them if selected for the program.

RETURN YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION IN PERSON TO THE SAS OFFICE BETWEEN
5:30 AND 7:30 P.M. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1st through THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4th,
OR BETWEEN 10:00 A.M. AND 12 NOON ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6th. A SHORT
BIRD IDENTIFICATION QUIZ WILL BE GIVEN AT THIS TIME. Questions? Call
Rick Romea, days: (425) 827-0460 x 316, eves and weekends: (206)
523-5831.