Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2001 11:48:11 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "Jeffrey A. Friedhoffer" Subject: [Fwd: Goshawk project: Thank you from Dave Brinker] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Thank you from Dave Brinker Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 11:22:53 -0400 From: sweidnsl@pottsville.infi.net (Scott Weidensaul) To: dab14@psu.edu Goshawk donors, I apologize for duplication, but wanted to make sure everyone got this thank you note from Dave Brinker, who returned from the field last night to the news that we'd taken the goshawk project over the top. I'd like to publicly recognize (via the list) everyone who made a pledge, but realize some would prefer anonymity -- and under NO circumstances would amounts be mentioned. If you would, please drop me a quick email to let me know if you'd rather not have your name included; those I do not hear from will be listed as anonymous, just to be on the safe side. I'll probably make the posting early next week. Thanks, Scott ======================= Dear goshawk project supporters, I'm overwhelmed, astounded and at a loss for words. The simplest thing that I can say is a big thank you for your belief in, and generous support of this effort. I never would have thought that we could raise $4,000 in less than a week by simply putting out a plea for support via a list server! Your support of this pilot effort to begin studying the winter movements of northern goshawks in the central Appalachians demonstrates the practicality of seeking general support for projects with exceptional merit. It also provides a very powerful example of the strength and conviction of conservationists. Most of the success of this plea rests on the creativeness of Cindy Adams Dunn and promotion/work of Scott Weidensaul. Cindy suggested that we attempt to raise funds via PA Audubon's list server and offered PA Audubon as a vehicle for gathering the funds so that they can be donated to this effort. Scott got behind the effort, promoted it and kept up with the numerous e-mails generated by the plea. Without the efforts of these two individuals this initial success would never have happened. Thank you both, this is now as much your project as mine. Most importantly, each and every one of the donors is also part owner of this effort. I can't thank you enough! This is truly a pilot study. The Center for Conservation, Research & Technology's (CCRT) role in this effort is the donation of two satellite transmitters. It has only been in the past few years that satellite transmitters have been miniaturized enough to allow them to be placed upon birds as small as goshawks and female broad-winged hawks. To see some results of the broad-winged effort go to CCRT's home page at http://www.ccrt.org. The transmitters we'll be using are cutting edge technology as they are solar powered and do not include a traditional battery. CCRT is donating these transmitters (worth about $6,000) to test how well they will work on a forest bird. Even if they experience some difficulty during the summer due to thick foliage, we expect them to function fine during the fall, winter and spring leaf-off period - the real focus of this pilot study. A very important added benefit is that the transmitters can easily function for several years. If this project is a success, we will seek a considerably larger amount of funds from other sources to expand this effort to several pairs of goshawks in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia next year. Again, your enthusiastic support at the last minute this year will be invaluable in demonstrating the need for, and interest in, this effort to others as we seek funds to expand the study. This idea and effort has seen a variety of challenges and starts/stops. Last year funding was not an issue, but goshawk nests were scarce and the one that we knew of failed. This year, at the last minute funding turned out to be the initial challenge. You've gotten us over that hump in great style. Now the next challenge -- this past Wednesday I learned that the nest where we had intended to net the adults had failed. Fortunately, since then we've been able to identify several other Pennsylvania nests at which we can work. This week we'll be checking these sites and selecting one where we'll net the adults to place transmitters on them. Transmitters should go on the adult goshawks by Father's Day. We'll keep you all informed of the progress. In a couple of hours I'm off to West Virginia to band adults and young at two nest sites there. Next week we'll be up in Pennsylvania. You will all be on our minds! We owe you all a big thank you, I can't find any better words. THANKS - Dave Brinker. ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================