I just got this announcement: The guy who wrote one of the most comprehensive (and most sleep inducing) bird field guides is offering the following workshop:

WORKSHOP: ADVANCED AGING AND SEXING OF PASSERINES WITH PETER PYLE,

MAY 14-18,2007

Please join the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) and Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS), in cooperation with the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP), for an advanced aging and sexing of passerines workshop on 14-18 May, Monday - Friday, 2007. Peter Pyle, IBP Biologist, and author of The Identification Guide to North American Birds, Part I, will be the primary instructor. The action-packed week will consist of presentations, study of specimens, field mist-netting, banding, and processing at multiple locations on the central coast of California, and field trips to renowned birding locations. Participants will be trained in a synthesis of methods pertaining to identification, aging, and sexing of landbirds in the hand and in the field. Cost is $750 ($650 early registration, by 2 April 2007).

Breakfasts and lunches are included; lodging not provided.

For more information and a registration form please see our website at or contact JESSICA GRIFFITHS at the Big Sur Ornithology Lab (EM: jessicagriffiths AT ventanaws.org).

I actually really wish that I could go to this but I am too broke at the moment (so broke, I opened up what I thought was a royalty check and instead found a bill from the publisher). The Pyle book is essential for bird banding, it is not meant for the run of the mill birding. It's hardcore--some of the aging and sexing involves math--math of all things! Ack. Still, it would be a good time--San Francisco and birding. Sigh.