Subject: [Tweeters] Shorebird enlightenment for the non-birding public...
Date: Aug 21 21:46:26 2010
From: johntubbs at comcast.net - johntubbs at comcast.net




Hi everyone,



While at the Sportco ponds this evening, I had the chance to do some shorebird education?with three guys.? One was the Sportco employee who was blocking off the main parking area as they were closing, and then a Sportco customer who simultaneously came up to talk to the employee.? They asked what everyone with the scopes and cameras was doing at the ponds, and I gave them a brief shorebird migration lecture.? They seemed a bit?incredulous at the effort people were making, but were definitely not looking down on the activity.? Shortly after I set the scope up on the sidewalk, a local guy who was out for a walk came by.? He said that he has seen 'lots of people there every day when I drive by' and was perplexed at what?they were all looking at.? He said, 'I didn't think anyone would go to all that work to look at the geese that are always here.'? (Correct!)? So I gave the mini shorebird migration lecture again, got one in the scope and had him look through it.? He was really amazed and thanked me multiple times for taking the time to explain what was going on - especially when I showed him the approximate actual size of the bird we were looking at through the scope at 50X.?



My experience is that most?folks are?quite appreciative and intrigued by our avocation when you take some time to do some education.



John Tubbs

Snoqualmie, WA

johntubbs at comcast.net