Dear fellow tweeters,

I want to draw your attention to a neat class that will be taught by Bud Anderson of the Falcon Research Group (FRG), this coming Saturday (August 16) at the Center for Urban Horticulture (University of Washington, Seattle), and Sunday (August 17) at the Padilla Bay Visitor Center (near Bay View, WA). It's his annual Fall Hawk Migration Class.

Bud is a licensed bird of prey researcher who teaches a variety of classes throughout the year. The Falcon Research Group is involved in a number of projects ranging from the Seattle Peregrine Project to genetic material analysis of peregrines worldwide to relocating raptors away from airports to reduce the risk of airstrikes.

For the past few years each fall FRG members (volunteers) have been setting up a raptor trapping station in the eastern North Cascades. The trapping station is active between 1 September and mid-October (when the snow comes).

New recruits to the project usually come from people who take Bud's Fall Migration Trapping class. It's one day (9 AM - 2 PM) packed full of interesting information (see a partial topic list below) on the study, techniques, and past results. The cost of the class is $ 100, all of which goes to support the trapping/banding project. For more information or to sign up contact Bud at FRG (360) 575-1911 or check out the FGR website at www.FRG.org

Volunteers are needed to observe migrating hawks and call them in to the blind, in order for trappers to have a better chance to attract and catch the birds. There will be opportunities to get close-up views of raptors in the hand during banding. There's nothing like looking for that one remaining immature feather to determine that a sharp-shinned hawk that looks like an adult is actually a second year bird!

Here's the partial topics list for the class:

Introduction to fall hawk migration (lots of slides), NA in scope. Washington.

The Entiat site (location, geography, elevation) directions, attire, camping, housing, food, water. Study dates).

The fall migrant raptor population (what species, %'s, when, variation in daily trapping rates, seasonal totals)

Trapping

Removing birds from the traps safely / Avoiding footing and being bitten by the hawks

Processing
Techniques for identification, aging and sexing.
Banding techniques
Recording data
Injured and sick hawks
Releasing birds


To avoid misunderstandings: I am one of the sub-permit holders under Bud's trapping license, I volunteer at the project. I am advertising Bud's class because I think it's one of the best ways to get a better understanding of WA raptors, their id. and life history.

Sincerely,
Martin Muller, Seattle
MartinMuller at email.msn.com
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