Esteemed Birding Colleagues:
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????I am in the process of formulating a research project on the role of fruit-eating birds in spreading certain introduced trees from cultivation into natural habitats. I have personal observations collected over a period of years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but in order to draw meaningful conclusions, I find I will need to expand the scale of observation beyond what one person can do. I am therefore seeking assistance from birders in the South Sound region -- specifically, Mason, Thurston, Kitsap, and Pierce Counties -- who would be willing to include some specific types of observations in their late summer and fall birding.

????The specific data required is observation of birds feeding on the fruits of the rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia), holly (Ilex opaca), and cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus); and, for comparison, of the native bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) and madrone (Arbutus menziesii). Relevant data would include: habitat (e.g. urban area, early-successional shrub, mid-successional conifer, etc.); number of birds in group; length of time spent feeding. I can provide standardized data sheets which can be reproduced as needed. I expect that the most important birds involved will be the American Robin and Cedar Waxwing, and possibly to a lesser extent the Band-Tailed Pigeon. I wish to compare feeding by these birds on these three introduced and two native tree species.

???Interested parties may contact me directly at jason.hernandez74 at yahoo.com. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jason Hernandez