[obol] A Summer Saturday with Shorebirds - at Tualatin River NWR

[Paul T. Sullivan]

A couple weeks ago I made the suggestion (below) of  Summer Saturdays with 
Shorebirds.  I'd like to follow through on the idea.  [sequel to Sullivan's 
suggestion...]

Announcing: Summer Saturdays with Shorebirds
Location: Tualatin River NWR, main entrance off Hwy 99W
Date:  August 4, 2007
Time: 8-11 AM
Leaders: Paul Sullivan & Carol Karlen -- and anyone who knows more than we 
do.
Aim: To see what species of shorebirds are using the mudflats of the refuge 
at this time of migration.  To explain the difference between confusing 
peeps.
Format: Come for all or part of the time. Leave when you like.  Bring a 
scope if you have one.  Look for us on the dike east of the bus stop. 
Beginners welcome.

Let's see what we can find, and see what we can learn.


Paul T. Sullivan
(503) 646-7889
ptsulliv at spiritone.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul T. Sullivan" <ptsulliv at spiritone.com>
To: "obol" <obol at lists.oregonstate.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 6:06 AM
Subject: A proposal: Summer Saturdays with Shorebirds


> OBOL:
>
> Summer (and fall) is the time for shorebirds.  Reports are already coming 
> in from hot shorebird spots on both sides of the Cascades, from excellent, 
> keen observers.  In the next couple months I suspect we will be treated to 
> reports of Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Ruffs, etc.
>
> There are also folks poised to collect the data and save it for posterity 
> or provide it to land managers.
>
> Let me suggest an additional approach:  **Summer Saturdays with 
> Shorebirds**
> This could be modeled on the Morning Birdsong Walks which are held each 
> spring.  Experienced leaders agree to show up at a particular location for 
> a specified period of time each week.  The leader will show people 
> shorebirds and explain why one little brown shorebird is different than 
> another.  The whole thing lasts for 2-3 hours.  Participants may drop in 
> and out as they see fit. Participation is free.
>
> Greg Gillson offered a Saturday walk at Fern Hill wetland last summer and 
> it filled quickly, and was well received..  Steve Doughill (& ECBC) is 
> offering Friday evening outings at the Redmond Sewage Ponds this year.
>
> If folks are willing, I suggest that **Summer Saturdays with Shorebirds** 
> should be organized locally [Vanpoprt wetlands, Fern Hill, Fern Ridge, 
> Kirtland Rd., Bay Ocean, Yaquina Bay, Coos Bay, Prineville, Hatfield 
> Lk.,White Lake,Ladd Marsh] by whoever wants to offer the service.  Pick 
> your own schedule.  If you are a keen observer, don't just report on OBOL 
> that you found a Rare Stint at Local Mudhole #3.  Take some folks with you 
> and show them the difference between a Least Sandpiper and a Western 
> Sandpiper. Maybe teach something about how to tell the age of shorebirds.
>
> Just a suggestion...  Run with it.
>
> Just publicize your **Summer Saturdays with Shorebirds**,  when and where, 
> so I can come and learn -- from someone who knows more than I do.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Paul T. Sullivan
>
> My late friend Frank Conley did not want a memorial service.  He said:
> "There will be a memorial service every day you take yourself, or someone 
> else, out into the great outdoors -- away from the monitors, videos and 
> TVs we see mirrored in our eyes -- and learn something about birds, 
> butterflies, elk, or biscuitroot."
> -- Frank Conley 1942 - 2005
>