Inland NW birders,

Big-Day, Big-Year, Big-County, and every-day birders! The La Purisima Audubon Society (LPAS) of the central coast of California has just announced their fifth annual Central Coast Birding Rally, October 4-6, 2002. This is an incredible birding event, not just for birders with a competitive nature, but for anyone who enjoys getting out in the field, then sharing the experience with like-minded folks.

I know, getting away for 4-5 days in October is just not possible for most folks, but if you can, this is a great way to get some "lifers", meet some fine people, and have a good time. I have participated in the first four Rallys, and can recommend it highly. Even though I moved to the Spokane valley several months ago, I would still like to attend this year's Rally and would really like to see a team (teams?) from Washington to compete against the CA central coast's finest.

Here is some information about the 2002 Rally:

1. It is FREE!! That's right. The Friday evening reception (with food); the Saturday Rally and the Santa Maria-style BBQ lunch; the Sunday guided tours of Central Coast Birding Trail (CCBT) sites are all FREE!! The event is funded by LPAS through contributions from the business community. One may participate in all the activities, or just one or two. It's still FREE!

2. The Rally is a 5-hour event. Teams of 2-4 birders visit three CCBT sites and record as many species as they can. The record for the Rally is 118 species by Steller's Eagles, a world-class birding team from Arcata, sponsored by Eagle Optics. 90-100 birds for the Rally week-end can be expected by most birders. Past Rally "finds" have included Canada Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers, Ruddy Turnstone, Lawrence's Goldfinch, and more, a total of 197 species over 4 years. A complete bird list can be found on the Rally webpage, URL at the bottom of this message.

3. Not world-class birders? No problem, because these teams compete in a separate division from the rest of us. The Open Class allows for bird ID to be based on what is seen and heard, but the Hobby Class requires the bird to be seen to be counted. Prizes are awarded in both divisions. Frankly, most people just bird the Rally for the fun and the birds.

4. LPAS will arrange scouting tours of the Rally birding sites for those who don't know the area and can come a day or two early for scouting. This is also FREE!!

5. LPAS hosts a program called The Partnership for Green Tourism in which local hotel/motels and restaurants provide discounts and upgrades for members of ABA or National Audubon Society, so savings can be had for visiting birders.

6. You can visit the Rally website at http://lpas.westhost.com/rally for rules, Rally bird lists, etc. A Rally brochure is available by writing to LPAS at PO Box 2045, Lompoc, CA, 93436.

7. The Partnership for Green Tourism website for lodging and restaurant information is http://lpas.westhost.com/greentourism.htm.

Please feel free to contact me for information, off list.

Gene Lynch
Spokane