WHAT TO BRING: Binoculars, clothing for all types of weather (including hot, cold, and rain), bug repellant, sun screen, spotting scope (if you have one),  field guides as well as sparrow specific guides if you have them, etc. On field trips we will be informally "car pooling" - snacks and refreshments are not provided so bringing an ice chest with that type of thing might be a great idea.

LOGISTICS: We will be conducting field trips in groups of 10 people per guide. This allows the guides to give the most individual attention to people of all skill levels. We will all come together as a single group for most classroom instruction. The guides / instructors can be most effective and learning is greatly accelerated when they use this team teaching method.

TRANSPORTATION: With such small groups we will be car-pooling during the field trips. We will be going to locations on both public land and private property that are as close to Milbank as possible. Some of the most exceptional sparrow rich spots are only accessible on private land. We have arranged to gain access to some of these prime locations. Usually we are able to find good locations that are next to roads that require only a small amount of walking, but we should be prepared at times to do some considerable amount of walking across rough fields, thick vegetation and possibly muddy ground.

SCHEDULE / AGENDA: The printed agenda should be used only as a guide and as a group we may change this due to weather, etc. Rain, extreme heat, lightning, etc. can all cause changes to the agenda, but once again this is very easy on the spur of the moment with such small groups. Starting times for both field trips and classroom are not flexible; we will start / leave on time.

MOTELS: We will be meeting at the Super 8 motel (Ph# 605-432-9288), which is located on the east side of Milbank on Hwy #12. This would be the easiest location for accommodations. The Manor Motel (Ph# 605-432-4527) is just a quarter mile away and the Lantern Motel (Ph# 605-432-4591) is on the south side of town. There are also motels in Ortonville MN and a very small motel in Big Stone City. Motel space is very limited during the weekends so make your reservations as soon as possible.

EATING: Just the usual fast food and local places to eat. On Saturday we will have a working lunch catered into our meeting room at the Super 8 motel. On Saturday night the Pizza Ranch is on Main St.; we will be in the back in a private room.