For those of you who have not already heard the news Onik Arian was
washed off the jetty at Crescent City, CA while doing a seawatch for
the DeNorte Co. CBC and was killed. Orik was a well respected member
of the Cascadia birding community and he will be missed.

This unexpected and terrible accident will hopefully remind us all,
especially in a season that is beginning with severe and dangerous
ice, snow and wind to be careful out there. It shouldn't have to be
said, but let's be clear, there is no data point connected to counting
birds at Christmas time, that is so important that it warrants taking
overly risky chances. I, for one, would rather have my counters miss my
count, than be missed permanently.

Watch the weather reports over the next few weeks. Choose to stay
home, if the ice and snow make getting to or from a count dangerous.

We had a much smaller turnout for the Columbia Estuary this year, quit
early to get everyone home before the streets froze and only managed
107 species (we average 120), but we had fun and got 485 BROWN PELICANS.

Those who would like to learn more about the accident at Crescent City
can go to http://www.triplicate.com/

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR