The annual Midwinter Waterfowl Inventory is being 
revised this year with the retirement of 2 of our observers.  Instead of 
contracting out to the lowest bidder for plane and pilot, we will be working 
with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pilot/biologist.  Since his 
responsibilities also involve flying Maine's survey, which takes about 9 
days, his time is limited.

 I have told him that for the past several years we had been working with a 
Boston based bird club for counts around Logan Airport and that in 2000, we 
relied on the TASL count for everything between Nahant and Hull.  I informed 
him that I expected the same thing would happen this year and that would save 
him siginificant flying time.  He was happy with the thought he would not 
have to deal with flying around Logan.