Because I am in dire need of improving my shorebird id skills, I'm taking a weekend workshop with one of the best shorebird guys in my area, Doug Buri. Doug Buri has a BS degree in zoology. His interest in shorebirds has led him to pursue them around the globe on five different continents. The shores of Hudson Bay, the mud flats of coastal Columbia, the great rift valley of Ethiopia, and the marshes of central India all attract shorebirds. Doug followed them; intrigued by the challenge of studying and identifying this avian group. He was involved for many years in a multi year research project on Big Stone NWR studying Least Sandpipers and Pectoral Sandpipers. Doug has acted as an identification consultant for the study collection at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and for the Peabody Museum at Yale University in New Haven Conn. In other words, he knows his stuff.
It's a limited group--only ten people are going but I just got word from Doug that he has three spaces available. I know this is last minute, but if you have this weekend free and have wondered if you would ever figure out these little guys--this is the workshop to take. Doug says that his number one goal is to get the group up close looks so you can learn to tell a white-rumped from a pectoral. I just got this in an email tonight:
"My number one priority is to get very VERY close to the birds. Actually I had Least Sandpipers 12-15 feet from me yesterday -- which I consider to be normal. I hear that some people use a spotting scope for shorebirding, but I'm sure it is just a vicious rumor perpetrated by those evil optical goods sellers."
The workshop starts this Friday at 9am in Milbank, SD and runs through Sunday 12pm. It'll be a good time and you'll be able to wow your friends with your mad shorebirdin' skillz. The workshop is $100 plus a $25 non-refundable registration fee includes the entire weekend workshop. It does not include food, lodging, or other expenses. If you are forced to cancel, the registration fee can be applied to future workshops.
If you would like to sign up, contact Doug NOW at dougburi@tnics.com.