What did I get myself into?

I mentioned yesterday that I'll be leading bird tours on Thursdays and Saturdays in April to see our two endangered species.  I also said that I didn't expect the response that I got.  This is the first time the refuge has offered these tours, so it's kind of an experiment.  I continued to receive inquiries today through email.  I finally had to start making a list of who was coming on what day!  The biggest surprise to me is that the majority of folks are not local.  People have signed up from Virginia, California, and New Mexico.  My goodness!  It's not necessary to make reservations, you just have to show up at headquarters at 8:00 a.m.  I have assured everyone that emails me that they will have a seat in the van. 

I'm excited about the prospect of having full tours, but wondering a little if I'll end up herding along a huge crowd of people.  That's not conducive to having a good birding experience when you're quietly trying to catch a glimpse of a little bird.  :(  On the other hand, maybe the only people to show up will be those who have contacted me.  A small intimate group is more fun in my estimation.  Time will tell.

Since the pressure is now on to find reliable places to view these critters, I'll be heading out early tomorrow morning to try to find a black capped vireo.  So far, there have been no reports that they have arrived yet.  I'm picking up my lucky charm, Peggy, tomorrow to go along, so I'm feeling confident that we'll be successful.  :)

It has been overcast with intermittent light rain all day, and severe thunderstorms with hail are possible for the next couple of hours.  It was March 25 of last year that we had that horrible hail storm here.  I'm hoping those storms bypass the refuge this year.  I don't want to live through that experience again! 

Thanks to all of you that send me comments.  They are the life blood to a blogger.  :) 

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy