As some of you may know, I have had the good fortune to be able to work with the Operation Migration Whooping Cranes this year at their training site at White River Marsh. Last year they were also here, and I served as the coordinator for the blind tours -- scheduling people for visits to the blind to view the training activities with an "ultralight" aircraft. This year Doug Pellerin has taken over the coordinator responsibilities, but I still help him in leading tours. Last year there were two "interns" who were working with the ten cranes (in their white costumes), but this year they only were able to get six birds for training -- and only one intern was hired by Operation Migration. OM asked Doug and me if we'd be willing to volunteer to help work with the birds this year, and of course we were delighted. It is a big responsibility and honor to be able to work intimately with the rarest cranes in the world! Anyway, for the past week or so, when I have been there walking to the pen site, I have seen a sparrow-type bird with white outer tail feathers hopping ahead of me along the gravel roadway, and then flushing as we approached. I was never able to get a good look at it, since at that point I am always wearing the white costume and am hooded, with a shaded/reflective face shield (Mylar) to hide my face. Yesterday, however, I was finally able to lift my hood enough to get a good look at the bird I had seen previously, and was quite surprised to see that it was a Dark-eyed Junco! Previously I had assumed that it was probably a Vesper Sparrow, but I never had a very good look -- but I was suspicious, since it seemed like this bird had more white showing on the tail edges in flight. By the way, if you are interesting in coming for a blind tour sometime, please contact Doug Pellerin to set up a date -- which happens pretty much daily, weather permitting. Arrival is currently about 6:00 AM, and the tours generally end by 8:00 or 8:30. About 30-45 minutes of this time is spent in the blind, observing the flight training. Doug's email is: pelican0711@xxxxxxxxx This training will continue until they depart for migration, around mid October. Tom Schultz Green Lake Co. #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn