On this episode Bob and I talk about his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, his birding story and stories and more. How many birders have birded in Area 51?  My guess is not many.  His career path involved working at many of the great U.S. National Wildlife Refuges including the Loxahatchee NWR in Florida, the Wheeler NWR in Alabama, Kern NWR in California, Stillwater NWR in Nevada, and the Ridgefield and Columbia NWRs in Washington. 

While Bob was at the Columbia NWR he helped Washington birder recognize how great the Washtucna Bassett Park oasis was for migrants. Every year in late August and the first half of September birders find eastern vagrants there, and Bob was one of the earlier regulars to haunt the area.

Ridgefield NWR is a great birding spot. Every winter I love to visit to see the Sandhill cranes, Tundra Swans, waterfowl, and raptors there. It is one of the regular places to find Red-shouldered Hawk in WA. The dusky race of the Canada Goose is there in good numbers too.

How many birders have birded on Area 51? Bob didn’t have to storm the area, he got permission to do a breeding bird atlas survey there. (spoiler- no extraterestials on his list) Hear about it on the episode, or just hear the snip of that time here.

Bob also was an early organizer and advocate for the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival.

Bob encouages birders to ask their senators Here are contacts for the WA Senators and Representative of that area. 

Senator Patty Murray
Murray.senate.gov
Vancouver Office (360) 696-7797
Seattle Office (866) 481-9186

Senator Maria Cantwell
Cantwell.senate.gov
Vancouver Office (360) 696-7838
Seattle Office (206) 220-6400

Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler
Jhb.house.gov
Vancouver Office (360) 695-6292
Washington DC Office (202) 225-3536

Thanks for listening.  

Read more on the  Birdbanter.com  blog. 

Until next time, good birding and good day!