RE: [nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Rick]

Phil, in law that argument would be described as originalist. I was never a 
Scalia fan and don’t subscribe to originalism. (Prefer evolving traditions.) 
And to your other point I don’t mind the occasional upwelling of 
self-expression, even if it may edge toward wordiness. 

 

That said, e-sites are a replacement for what in the past were local bird club 
trips. I grew up as a birder in a pre-internet era, when these experiences were 
the main feature that drew us into this pastime. Open, democratic, chaotic, 
ineffable. You never knew who’d be in your car. Might be hi-performing peers 
quizzing each other as to a species’ identity by reading snippets from a field 
guide description. Or might be newbies thrilling to the experience to which the 
rest of us had long since become accustomed. We “experienced types” always fed 
off that newbie enthusiasm – all the while engaging in an oral tradition that 
honored new experience while passing along whatever knowledge we had acquired 
to the next spiritual generation (age notwithstanding); this practice was an 
essential feature of what we were  doing, and was a large part of what drew us 
to it. 

 

The internet presents complications. Newcomers may repeatedly inject sightings 
with little community significance, without realizing (or in some cases caring) 
that others might not share their interest. Veterans want the hard facts and 
locations, and become intolerant of those who enthuse to lesser experiences. 

 

What concerns me is that in the impersonal and encapsulated environment of the 
internet the communal escalator of the natural history oral folk tradition will 
be damaged. Socialization is difficult in this medium. Some degree of restraint 
and community attachment is required on all sides.

 

No, I do not personally like repeated postings on juncos, Blue Jays, or 
chickadees. And I would like to let people who make those posts know that 
they’re not all that interesting to the rest of us. I used to do that, in a 
subtle way, while driving along in a car in route to a field trip. Now what? 
Troll someone, or ban them from the site? 

 

I’m sure I don’t have the answer to this. Maybe an off-post note to individuals 
to say, politely, that they might want to step up the game a bit. Where they 
might go, how they could get more involved.

 

Finally, I’ve noticed since the election that some of us are venting more, and 
lacking tolerance to a greater extent; and who knows, maybe that’s me as well. 
We need to be careful of runaway angst and spite. If you’re there, maybe try 
this: http://wpo.st/3r6D2. (It discusses the need to go birding amid the fray.)

 

Oops, I see that this has become more than wordy now. Apologies.

 

That’s my two cents, anyway, & good birding,

Rick

 

 

From: bounce-121021658-3714...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-121021658-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Phil Jeffrey
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 7:56 PM
To: Steve Walter 
Cc: & [NYSBIRDS] 
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

 

Steve was wordily referring to daily digest mode, found via

http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

 

Daily digest mode has existed for about as long as list servers have.

 

In the same document tree is the source of at least one part of the identity 
crisis:

http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm

(bear in mind there are syntax errors on the originating page and you may have 
to append ".htm" to some URLs)

 

"The primary purpose of the List is to disseminate information about wild bird 
sightings in and around New York State in a timely manner and to provide an 
effective electronic forum for New York State area birders.

 

Questions and limited discussion on topics such as bird behavior, 
identification, conservation, and distribution, especially as these subjects 
relate to wild birds in and around New York State, are welcomed and encouraged. 
The List is not for the discussion of pet birds."

 

If it's allegedly an RBA list the description currently does not reflect that, 
and has not done so for quite some time.

 

Phil Jeffrey

Princeton

 

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:

  Welcome and Basics 

  Rules and Information 

  
Subscribe, Configuration and Leave

Archives:

The Mail Archive 
 

  Surfbirds

BirdingOnThe.Net  

Please submit your observations to   eBird!

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NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES

RE: [nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Rick]

Phil, in law that argument would be described as originalist. I was never a 
Scalia fan and don’t subscribe to originalism. (Prefer evolving traditions.) 
And to your other point I don’t mind the occasional upwelling of 
self-expression, even if it may edge toward wordiness. 

 

That said, e-sites are a replacement for what in the past were local bird club 
trips. I grew up as a birder in a pre-internet era, when these experiences were 
the main feature that drew us into this pastime. Open, democratic, chaotic, 
ineffable. You never knew who’d be in your car. Might be hi-performing peers 
quizzing each other as to a species’ identity by reading snippets from a field 
guide description. Or might be newbies thrilling to the experience to which the 
rest of us had long since become accustomed. We “experienced types” always fed 
off that newbie enthusiasm – all the while engaging in an oral tradition that 
honored new experience while passing along whatever knowledge we had acquired 
to the next spiritual generation (age notwithstanding); this practice was an 
essential feature of what we were  doing, and was a large part of what drew us 
to it. 

 

The internet presents complications. Newcomers may repeatedly inject sightings 
with little community significance, without realizing (or in some cases caring) 
that others might not share their interest. Veterans want the hard facts and 
locations, and become intolerant of those who enthuse to lesser experiences. 

 

What concerns me is that in the impersonal and encapsulated environment of the 
internet the communal escalator of the natural history oral folk tradition will 
be damaged. Socialization is difficult in this medium. Some degree of restraint 
and community attachment is required on all sides.

 

No, I do not personally like repeated postings on juncos, Blue Jays, or 
chickadees. And I would like to let people who make those posts know that 
they’re not all that interesting to the rest of us. I used to do that, in a 
subtle way, while driving along in a car in route to a field trip. Now what? 
Troll someone, or ban them from the site? 

 

I’m sure I don’t have the answer to this. Maybe an off-post note to individuals 
to say, politely, that they might want to step up the game a bit. Where they 
might go, how they could get more involved.

 

Finally, I’ve noticed since the election that some of us are venting more, and 
lacking tolerance to a greater extent; and who knows, maybe that’s me as well. 
We need to be careful of runaway angst and spite. If you’re there, maybe try 
this: http://wpo.st/3r6D2. (It discusses the need to go birding amid the fray.)

 

Oops, I see that this has become more than wordy now. Apologies.

 

That’s my two cents, anyway, & good birding,

Rick

 

 

From: bounce-121021658-3714...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-121021658-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Phil Jeffrey
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 7:56 PM
To: Steve Walter 
Cc: & [NYSBIRDS] 
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

 

Steve was wordily referring to daily digest mode, found via

http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

 

Daily digest mode has existed for about as long as list servers have.

 

In the same document tree is the source of at least one part of the identity 
crisis:

http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm

(bear in mind there are syntax errors on the originating page and you may have 
to append ".htm" to some URLs)

 

"The primary purpose of the List is to disseminate information about wild bird 
sightings in and around New York State in a timely manner and to provide an 
effective electronic forum for New York State area birders.

 

Questions and limited discussion on topics such as bird behavior, 
identification, conservation, and distribution, especially as these subjects 
relate to wild birds in and around New York State, are welcomed and encouraged. 
The List is not for the discussion of pet birds."

 

If it's allegedly an RBA list the description currently does not reflect that, 
and has not done so for quite some time.

 

Phil Jeffrey

Princeton

 

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:

  Welcome and Basics 

  Rules and Information 

  
Subscribe, Configuration and Leave

Archives:

The Mail Archive 
 

  Surfbirds

BirdingOnThe.Net  

Please submit your observations to   eBird!

--


--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) 

Re:[nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Brendan Fogarty]

Hey all,
Just for the record, Steve Walter was not referring to Digest mode but rather 
Vacation mode. You receive NO emails but can still post. I have been on this 
option for several months. I check on http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01, 
perhaps at the handicap of a few minutes of info delay, but it hasn't cost me a 
bird yet. Instructions to setup Vacation mode and  to get out of it are also 
here: http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm
My rule of thumb for posting is "will someone care about my info?" and in 
general the answer is that somebody will, and likely they'd want to know as 
soon as possible. I'd hate to a miss something due to someone else's apathy. 
This applies equally to lectures and conservation action items. Worst thing 
that can happen is that your info isn't a hit with people. In general, it takes 
about a second to inspect an email to see if it might have anything interesting 
in it. Although honestly this is literally the reason behind the subject line, 
which I feel is neglected in general. I like to post with my top one or two 
birds, location name and county, and date all conveyed with no further need to 
click. I appreciate concision and timely updates for the RBA side of things 
here, but besides backyard first-of-season sightings, I get a kick out of just 
about everything posted, however much is shared in the subject line. I mean, 
this is what we signed up for.
All my best, Brendan Fogarty
PS: see, no email train down here! I copy-and-pasted the title to feign 
normalcy heh heh. ;)
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
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http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re:[nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Brendan Fogarty]

Hey all,
Just for the record, Steve Walter was not referring to Digest mode but rather 
Vacation mode. You receive NO emails but can still post. I have been on this 
option for several months. I check on http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01, 
perhaps at the handicap of a few minutes of info delay, but it hasn't cost me a 
bird yet. Instructions to setup Vacation mode and  to get out of it are also 
here: http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm
My rule of thumb for posting is "will someone care about my info?" and in 
general the answer is that somebody will, and likely they'd want to know as 
soon as possible. I'd hate to a miss something due to someone else's apathy. 
This applies equally to lectures and conservation action items. Worst thing 
that can happen is that your info isn't a hit with people. In general, it takes 
about a second to inspect an email to see if it might have anything interesting 
in it. Although honestly this is literally the reason behind the subject line, 
which I feel is neglected in general. I like to post with my top one or two 
birds, location name and county, and date all conveyed with no further need to 
click. I appreciate concision and timely updates for the RBA side of things 
here, but besides backyard first-of-season sightings, I get a kick out of just 
about everything posted, however much is shared in the subject line. I mean, 
this is what we signed up for.
All my best, Brendan Fogarty
PS: see, no email train down here! I copy-and-pasted the title to feign 
normalcy heh heh. ;)
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Phil Jeffrey]

Steve was wordily referring to daily digest mode, found via
http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

Daily digest mode has existed for about as long as list servers have.

In the same document tree is the source of at least one part of the
identity crisis:
http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
(bear in mind there are syntax errors on the originating page and you may
have to append ".htm" to some URLs)

"The primary purpose of the List is to disseminate information about wild
bird sightings in and around New York State in a timely manner and to
provide an effective electronic forum for New York State area birders.



Questions and limited discussion on topics such as bird behavior,
identification, conservation, and distribution, especially as these
subjects relate to wild birds in and around New York State, are welcomed
and encouraged. The List is not for the discussion of pet birds."

If it's allegedly an RBA list the description currently does not reflect
that, and has not done so for quite some time.

Phil Jeffrey
Princeton

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Phil Jeffrey]

Steve was wordily referring to daily digest mode, found via
http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

Daily digest mode has existed for about as long as list servers have.

In the same document tree is the source of at least one part of the
identity crisis:
http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
(bear in mind there are syntax errors on the originating page and you may
have to append ".htm" to some URLs)

"The primary purpose of the List is to disseminate information about wild
bird sightings in and around New York State in a timely manner and to
provide an effective electronic forum for New York State area birders.



Questions and limited discussion on topics such as bird behavior,
identification, conservation, and distribution, especially as these
subjects relate to wild birds in and around New York State, are welcomed
and encouraged. The List is not for the discussion of pet birds."

If it's allegedly an RBA list the description currently does not reflect
that, and has not done so for quite some time.

Phil Jeffrey
Princeton

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Steve Walter]

Earlier this year, I had about had it with my e-mail box being flooded with
unnecessary posts - some of which amount to "Dear diary, today I saw.". I
looked at the NYS-Birds instructions, with the intent of unsubscribing - at
least for that period of the year when some feel the need to let you know
about every last bird that lands in their favorite location.  Anyway, the
list is indeed archived, and you can access that. But I found that there is
an option that allows you to not receive e-mails, but still allows you to
post. I went with that. I feel that if you're going to use the service in
any way, there is an obligation to post sightings of note (on those rare
occasions that I'm that fortunate). Now my e-mail box is smaller - and I
think I'm a happier person for it.

 

The down side is that I don't always have the most immediate information.
Birding is not a full time job for me and I do like to disengage for a
couple of days now and then - not even looking at the archive. I was hoping
that my friends might let me know when there was a special bird around. But
of course, they find it more amusing to alert me when contentious posts come
along. Which is how I got here today - and why I'm posting with a different
subject instead of replying to e-mail (that's not in my box).

 

In my experience, every well intended list inevitably declines. For example,
butterfly lists end up with "Cabbage White in my back yard". The parameters
of a perfect list are debatable. Of course, you start with rarities. But the
definition of a rarity may not always be so clear cut. The downstate folks
may see things differently than the upstate folks.  So too experienced
people vs. not so. I see posts from the field - with updates - that get me
thinking "this couldn't wait until you got home?". Do early and late dates
belong? Unusual numbers? Hawk watch reports? Personally, I'm interested in
that. But big hawk numbers are built off common birds. After the 57th one, I
think I'd take Golden Eagle off the rarity list (hey, we'll take one anytime
on Long Island). Meetings and other announcements? Discussions about various
topics, such as migration? I remember one person telling me he'd like to see
more of that. I can't say I disagree.   

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY


--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Another option to the drivel

[Steve Walter]

Earlier this year, I had about had it with my e-mail box being flooded with
unnecessary posts - some of which amount to "Dear diary, today I saw.". I
looked at the NYS-Birds instructions, with the intent of unsubscribing - at
least for that period of the year when some feel the need to let you know
about every last bird that lands in their favorite location.  Anyway, the
list is indeed archived, and you can access that. But I found that there is
an option that allows you to not receive e-mails, but still allows you to
post. I went with that. I feel that if you're going to use the service in
any way, there is an obligation to post sightings of note (on those rare
occasions that I'm that fortunate). Now my e-mail box is smaller - and I
think I'm a happier person for it.

 

The down side is that I don't always have the most immediate information.
Birding is not a full time job for me and I do like to disengage for a
couple of days now and then - not even looking at the archive. I was hoping
that my friends might let me know when there was a special bird around. But
of course, they find it more amusing to alert me when contentious posts come
along. Which is how I got here today - and why I'm posting with a different
subject instead of replying to e-mail (that's not in my box).

 

In my experience, every well intended list inevitably declines. For example,
butterfly lists end up with "Cabbage White in my back yard". The parameters
of a perfect list are debatable. Of course, you start with rarities. But the
definition of a rarity may not always be so clear cut. The downstate folks
may see things differently than the upstate folks.  So too experienced
people vs. not so. I see posts from the field - with updates - that get me
thinking "this couldn't wait until you got home?". Do early and late dates
belong? Unusual numbers? Hawk watch reports? Personally, I'm interested in
that. But big hawk numbers are built off common birds. After the 57th one, I
think I'd take Golden Eagle off the rarity list (hey, we'll take one anytime
on Long Island). Meetings and other announcements? Discussions about various
topics, such as migration? I remember one person telling me he'd like to see
more of that. I can't say I disagree.   

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY


--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Syracuse RBA Addendum

[Joseph Brin]

 A SNOWY OWL was reported in Cayuga County on Rt. 104A in the Town of Sterling 
on 11/16.
--

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ARCHIVES:
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3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

[nysbirds-l] Syracuse RBA Addendum

[Joseph Brin]

 A SNOWY OWL was reported in Cayuga County on Rt. 104A in the Town of Sterling 
on 11/16.
--

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ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Syracuse RBA

[Joseph Brin]

*  New York*  Syracuse   
   - November 21, 2016
*  NYSY  11. 21.16 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird AlertDates(s):November 14, 2016 
- November 21, 2016to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.comcovering upstate 
NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refugeand Montezuma Wetlands 
Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, 
Oneida, Herkimer,  Madison & Cortlandcompiled: November 21  AT 4 p.m. 
(EST)compiler: Joseph BrinOnondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org  
Greetings: This is the Syracuse Rare Bird Alert for the week of November 14, 
2015.
Highlights--
RED-THROATED LOON CATTLE EGRETBLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONTRUMPETER SWANCACKLING 
GOOSEGREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSEEURASIAN WIGEONPEREGRINE FALCONNORTHERN 
GOSHAWKSANDHILL CRANELITTLE GULLICELAND GULLLESSER BLACK-BACKED 
GULLBLACK-LEGGED KITTYWAKENORTHERN SHRIKEMARSH WRENRUBY-CROWNED KINGLETEVENING 
GROSBEAK

Montezuma National Wildlife Complex (MNWC) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex 
(MWC)
     11/16: CATTLE EGRETS were again seen at Goose Haven. They were reported 
through 11/19. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at the Visitor’s Center.     11/18: 
Shorebirds are not gone yet (although after today they probably are.) A 
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were still being found 
along the Wildlife Trail and in Benning Marsh. The Greater was seen through the 
19th. and the White-Rumped and Lesser were seen through the 20th. 10 TRUMPETER 
SWANS were seen at the Audubon Center. An EURASIAN WIGEON was again spotted in 
the Main Pool.     11/19: 55 SANDHILL CRANES were seen from East Road. A late 
MARSH WREN was seen along the Wildlife Drive.     11/20: A CACKLING GOOSE was 
spotted along the Wildlife Drive.

Onondaga County
     11/14: A late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was seen on Jamesville Ave. in 
Syracuse.     11/15: 12 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE found at Beaverr Lake last 
week continued through 11/18. No reports since. A GREATER YELLOWLEGS was seen 
at Otisco Lake Park.     11/16: A single EVENING GROSBEAK was seen at Beaver 
Lake Nature Center.     11/17: A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at the Inner Harbor 
near Destiny Shopping Mall in Syracuse.     11/19: A late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 
was seen along the West Shore hiking trail on Onondaga Lake.

Oswego County
     11/17: An ICELAND GULL was seen at Oswego Harbor.     11/18: A 
RED-THROATED LOON was seen at Selkirk Shores on Lake Ontario.     11/20: A 
LITTLE GULL, a BLACK-LEGGED KITTYWAKE and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were all 
seen on favorable winds at Derby Hill.

Madison County-
     11/15: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen on Woodman Pond north of Hamilton.     
11/19: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Irish Hill Road south of Cazenovia. A 
NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen on Holmes Road south of Cazenovia.     11/20: 2 
SANDHILL CRANES were seen on Gee Road north of Chittenango.

Oneida County
     11/14: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen along Rt. 365 west oh Hollend Patent.

Herkimer County-
     11/17: 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS were at a feeder north of Dolgeville.
     
        --end report 
    
Joseph BrinRegion 5Baldwinsville, NY 13027  U.S.A.  
--

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ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Syracuse RBA

[Joseph Brin]

*  New York*  Syracuse   
   - November 21, 2016
*  NYSY  11. 21.16 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird AlertDates(s):November 14, 2016 
- November 21, 2016to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.comcovering upstate 
NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refugeand Montezuma Wetlands 
Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, 
Oneida, Herkimer,  Madison & Cortlandcompiled: November 21  AT 4 p.m. 
(EST)compiler: Joseph BrinOnondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org  
Greetings: This is the Syracuse Rare Bird Alert for the week of November 14, 
2015.
Highlights--
RED-THROATED LOON CATTLE EGRETBLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONTRUMPETER SWANCACKLING 
GOOSEGREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSEEURASIAN WIGEONPEREGRINE FALCONNORTHERN 
GOSHAWKSANDHILL CRANELITTLE GULLICELAND GULLLESSER BLACK-BACKED 
GULLBLACK-LEGGED KITTYWAKENORTHERN SHRIKEMARSH WRENRUBY-CROWNED KINGLETEVENING 
GROSBEAK

Montezuma National Wildlife Complex (MNWC) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex 
(MWC)
     11/16: CATTLE EGRETS were again seen at Goose Haven. They were reported 
through 11/19. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at the Visitor’s Center.     11/18: 
Shorebirds are not gone yet (although after today they probably are.) A 
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were still being found 
along the Wildlife Trail and in Benning Marsh. The Greater was seen through the 
19th. and the White-Rumped and Lesser were seen through the 20th. 10 TRUMPETER 
SWANS were seen at the Audubon Center. An EURASIAN WIGEON was again spotted in 
the Main Pool.     11/19: 55 SANDHILL CRANES were seen from East Road. A late 
MARSH WREN was seen along the Wildlife Drive.     11/20: A CACKLING GOOSE was 
spotted along the Wildlife Drive.

Onondaga County
     11/14: A late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was seen on Jamesville Ave. in 
Syracuse.     11/15: 12 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE found at Beaverr Lake last 
week continued through 11/18. No reports since. A GREATER YELLOWLEGS was seen 
at Otisco Lake Park.     11/16: A single EVENING GROSBEAK was seen at Beaver 
Lake Nature Center.     11/17: A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at the Inner Harbor 
near Destiny Shopping Mall in Syracuse.     11/19: A late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 
was seen along the West Shore hiking trail on Onondaga Lake.

Oswego County
     11/17: An ICELAND GULL was seen at Oswego Harbor.     11/18: A 
RED-THROATED LOON was seen at Selkirk Shores on Lake Ontario.     11/20: A 
LITTLE GULL, a BLACK-LEGGED KITTYWAKE and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were all 
seen on favorable winds at Derby Hill.

Madison County-
     11/15: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen on Woodman Pond north of Hamilton.     
11/19: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Irish Hill Road south of Cazenovia. A 
NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen on Holmes Road south of Cazenovia.     11/20: 2 
SANDHILL CRANES were seen on Gee Road north of Chittenango.

Oneida County
     11/14: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen along Rt. 365 west oh Hollend Patent.

Herkimer County-
     11/17: 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS were at a feeder north of Dolgeville.
     
        --end report 
    
Joseph BrinRegion 5Baldwinsville, NY 13027  U.S.A.  
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC 11/21, & 11/19

[Thomas Fiore]

Quick links to information pages, including for the NYSbirds list- 
serv, may be found at:
http://www.northeastbirding.com/
Reading all of that info may answer (some of) questions or comments  
being placed here today.
(& we all have a fast way of dealing with any posts we may not find of  
interest: the "delete" key -
I know I can't ever see too many reports with a heading that includes  
"Ash-throated" mentioned.
And I enjoy seeing bird reports that are from any-every part of this  
very large and diverse state!)

__
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City
Monday, 21 November, 2016 -

I did a circuit of much of the park, from the Meer area & zig-zagging  
south to the Pond (SE corner of the park), with some time in the  
Ramble, & visiting every water-body (yes, including the model-boat  
pond) & a few less-birded areas as well as more effort around the  
inner-perimeter zones on all 4 sides of the park (which at least once- 
in-a-while, may hold unexpected species, especially in these colder  
months.

Drake Wood Ducks were seen at - Meer, Pool, Lake (2, one of those in  
the "Upper / NW Lobe"), & Pond (for me, seen in the shaded south side  
of sanctuary vegetation along that shore, with many resting mallards)  
& 3 hen Wood Ducks, at Pool, Lake, & Pond - for a total minimum of 8  
"Woodies" - while Hooded Mergansers were on at least 4 water-bodies,  
with a minimum of 14 - five on the reservoir, 4 on the Lake, 3 on  
Turtle Pond, & 2 on Meer (these all still in place on a 2nd-pass by  
the four areas;  American Coots numbered ten on the reservoir, all ten  
could be viewed at one time with 12x optics, from the SE area of the  
reservoir - some by the SW & west shore & more near the SE "corner";  
an eleventh Coot is ongoing at the Pond, where a Great Blue Heron was  
again.

"Red" Fox Sparrows were found in a number of areas but for me, the  
best area was not far from the Boathouse cafe & north, with 2 within  
ten yards of the Boathouse north side, and 3 more just up-slope, and  
another one by the balanced-boulder in the ramble not far from these.  
A few more in the north woods, & at locations I don't check on too  
often right near Fifth Ave. & below East 72 Street;  I found &  
photographed a Chipping Sparrow in the new meadow area a bit south of  
'Balto's' bronze statue (of the famous dog, the area is just north of  
the 65 St. Transverse, or a bit more north of the CP Children's Zoo  
entrance - that meadow has potential, with many dozens of native  
sparrows (and House, also) & some juncos there today.  Total numbers  
of White-throated Sparrows are still very good, & sifting thru flocks  
of them (or any good-sized flocks) can sometimes pull out an  
unexpected or "late" species; Junco numbers are also good for now,  
with more than 200 seen today park-wide (a few flocks having 25-30+);  
Swamp Sparrows were found in a couple of places, including shorelines  
of:  Pond, Lake, reservoir, & Meer.
- -
On Saturday, 11/19, at Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan, 3  
observers saw a Baltimore Oriole which I also was able to photograph;  
this was at the "Heather Gardens" which incidentally still had good  
variety in blooms - as has Central Park, in some parts (Fort Tryon  
Park was the site of NY State's first Calliope Hummingbirds: 2 birds  
at same time, 15 years ago).  Much more incidentally, the 3 of us  
finding that oriole were observing 30+ species of insects in Fort  
Tryon Park on that very warm Saturday afternoon - & rather different  
by just 12 hours later!

- - - - - - - - - - - -
"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom  
they oppress."
- Aug 3, 1857: Frederick Douglass, great American thinker, writer,  
orator, abolitionist [1817-1895]


Good birding,

Tom Fiore
Manhattan
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Manhattan, NYC 11/21, & 11/19

[Thomas Fiore]

Quick links to information pages, including for the NYSbirds list- 
serv, may be found at:
http://www.northeastbirding.com/
Reading all of that info may answer (some of) questions or comments  
being placed here today.
(& we all have a fast way of dealing with any posts we may not find of  
interest: the "delete" key -
I know I can't ever see too many reports with a heading that includes  
"Ash-throated" mentioned.
And I enjoy seeing bird reports that are from any-every part of this  
very large and diverse state!)

__
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City
Monday, 21 November, 2016 -

I did a circuit of much of the park, from the Meer area & zig-zagging  
south to the Pond (SE corner of the park), with some time in the  
Ramble, & visiting every water-body (yes, including the model-boat  
pond) & a few less-birded areas as well as more effort around the  
inner-perimeter zones on all 4 sides of the park (which at least once- 
in-a-while, may hold unexpected species, especially in these colder  
months.

Drake Wood Ducks were seen at - Meer, Pool, Lake (2, one of those in  
the "Upper / NW Lobe"), & Pond (for me, seen in the shaded south side  
of sanctuary vegetation along that shore, with many resting mallards)  
& 3 hen Wood Ducks, at Pool, Lake, & Pond - for a total minimum of 8  
"Woodies" - while Hooded Mergansers were on at least 4 water-bodies,  
with a minimum of 14 - five on the reservoir, 4 on the Lake, 3 on  
Turtle Pond, & 2 on Meer (these all still in place on a 2nd-pass by  
the four areas;  American Coots numbered ten on the reservoir, all ten  
could be viewed at one time with 12x optics, from the SE area of the  
reservoir - some by the SW & west shore & more near the SE "corner";  
an eleventh Coot is ongoing at the Pond, where a Great Blue Heron was  
again.

"Red" Fox Sparrows were found in a number of areas but for me, the  
best area was not far from the Boathouse cafe & north, with 2 within  
ten yards of the Boathouse north side, and 3 more just up-slope, and  
another one by the balanced-boulder in the ramble not far from these.  
A few more in the north woods, & at locations I don't check on too  
often right near Fifth Ave. & below East 72 Street;  I found &  
photographed a Chipping Sparrow in the new meadow area a bit south of  
'Balto's' bronze statue (of the famous dog, the area is just north of  
the 65 St. Transverse, or a bit more north of the CP Children's Zoo  
entrance - that meadow has potential, with many dozens of native  
sparrows (and House, also) & some juncos there today.  Total numbers  
of White-throated Sparrows are still very good, & sifting thru flocks  
of them (or any good-sized flocks) can sometimes pull out an  
unexpected or "late" species; Junco numbers are also good for now,  
with more than 200 seen today park-wide (a few flocks having 25-30+);  
Swamp Sparrows were found in a couple of places, including shorelines  
of:  Pond, Lake, reservoir, & Meer.
- -
On Saturday, 11/19, at Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan, 3  
observers saw a Baltimore Oriole which I also was able to photograph;  
this was at the "Heather Gardens" which incidentally still had good  
variety in blooms - as has Central Park, in some parts (Fort Tryon  
Park was the site of NY State's first Calliope Hummingbirds: 2 birds  
at same time, 15 years ago).  Much more incidentally, the 3 of us  
finding that oriole were observing 30+ species of insects in Fort  
Tryon Park on that very warm Saturday afternoon - & rather different  
by just 12 hours later!

- - - - - - - - - - - -
"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom  
they oppress."
- Aug 3, 1857: Frederick Douglass, great American thinker, writer,  
orator, abolitionist [1817-1895]


Good birding,

Tom Fiore
Manhattan
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] NYSBIRDS-L; WAS Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Kevin J. McGowan]

NYSbirds-L@cornell.edu was originally created 
for reports of rarities and discussions of birds that would be of statewide 
interest (hence the “s” in the name after NY, New York State birds). Upstate 
birders have always used it that way. I would post about Cave Swallows, but 
never about Purple Martins there. Cayugabirds was founded at the same time (by 
the same people), and its purpose was for discussion of birds of a regional 
interest only. Purple Martins would be an appropriate topic for Cayugabirds. 
The other upstate regional lists were gradually created for the same purpose. 
GenesseeBirds was not supposed to replace the statewide list, but to supplement 
it.

For the first few years, that’s how the lists functioned. When we saw a state 
rarity, it got posted to BOTH the local and state lists. Unfortunately, the 
mission for NYSbirds crept over the years, and came to be used extensively by 
NYC birders to list mundane things. As a consequence, many upstate birders 
unsubscribed rather than read dozens and dozens of messages of no interest. As 
a consequence, they don’t think to post to it, either. And that’s a shame.

Can’t someone down there start a regional listserv for the NYC area and give 
NYSbirds back to the state? ;^)

Best,

Kevin McGowan
Ithaca

From: bounce-121020508-3714...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-121020508-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Larry 
Trachtenberg
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 1:44 PM
To: David Klauber ; Paul R Sweet 
Cc: NYSBIRDS-L 
Subject: RE: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher


If I may.  I do not use and anticipate never using any of Facebook (or its 
myriad bird groups), Twitter, bird text alert systems, 
ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; #birdcp on 
Twitter, the “various WhatsAp” bird sites referenced, or any of the seemingly 
endless selective groups that report birds to their members.  To quote WC 
Fields "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member” (not to say 
any of these clubs or whatever they may be would have me.).
I also was unaware that the NYSbird site was intended for rarities only.  As 
far as I understood; rather not only is there a NYS list-serve (which as with 
Andrew, is the only place I use other than when I get around occasionally to 
post to ebird), there are also seven others for various listserv regions around 
the state which you see if you go to the ABA site http://birding.aba.org 
(NY-Cayuga; NY-Genesee; NY-Hudson-Mohawk; NY-Northern; NY-Oneida; NY-Orange and 
NY-Chautauqua).  As David points out likely those came about because the main 
NYS listserv is dominated by downstate sightings often, like mine, mundane.  
Thus, the NY listserv sites are far different than those in NJ for example 
which has only two; a statewide place to post and a clearly identified NJ-RBA 
(but I do not know how carefully that is monitored).
In NY, every Saturday Gail Benson posts on the State NYSbird cite the weekly 
Rare Bird Alert for the five boroughs and Long Island and what it says is 
Westchester, although absent say a Virginia’s Warbler, Westchester seems to be 
reported infrequently.  That posting gives two ways to report a rare bird (as 
opposed a general post to the NYS listserv of more routine sightings that some 
may find interesting and some may not which is how I viewed the general 
listserv).  Per Gail’s regular Saturday posts for actual rare bird sightings in 
the indicated area(s) they should either be called in to a Hotline: New York 
City Area Rare Bird Alert:  Number: (212) 979-3070; or emailed to 
nysar...@nybirds.org (and if documentation is 
requested there is a link to an on-line form).  That, of course, begs the 
question as to whether if someone calls in a rare bird, will it show up on any 
list serve prior to Gail’s post on Saturday (assuming indeed the sighting is 
valid, or whatever criteria may be used).  Thus, if a Monday sighting was not 
posted until Saturday and the bird is gone, the twitchers would no longer be 
able to twitch (even if he/she were willing to drive out on the execrable LIE 
to get to wherever such rare bird may be on Long Island).
Personally, I post fairly regularly from my patch at Croton Point Park, a park 
which I know is visited by many birders.  Most of my posts tend to the mundane 
although some have reported an occasional rarity (e.g. cattle egret, American 
avocet, boat tailed grackle).  My CPP posts occasionally lead to direct off 
line email communication sometimes with comments of appreciation and/or 
requests for further info, and sometimes less so, shall we say, but I never 
thought nysbirds-l@cornell.edu was limited to 
only sightings of rarities, because, well it clearly has not been used that 
way.  It is also clear that NYS listserv is not universally used 

[nysbirds-l] NYSBIRDS-L; WAS Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Kevin J. McGowan]

NYSbirds-L@cornell.edu was originally created 
for reports of rarities and discussions of birds that would be of statewide 
interest (hence the “s” in the name after NY, New York State birds). Upstate 
birders have always used it that way. I would post about Cave Swallows, but 
never about Purple Martins there. Cayugabirds was founded at the same time (by 
the same people), and its purpose was for discussion of birds of a regional 
interest only. Purple Martins would be an appropriate topic for Cayugabirds. 
The other upstate regional lists were gradually created for the same purpose. 
GenesseeBirds was not supposed to replace the statewide list, but to supplement 
it.

For the first few years, that’s how the lists functioned. When we saw a state 
rarity, it got posted to BOTH the local and state lists. Unfortunately, the 
mission for NYSbirds crept over the years, and came to be used extensively by 
NYC birders to list mundane things. As a consequence, many upstate birders 
unsubscribed rather than read dozens and dozens of messages of no interest. As 
a consequence, they don’t think to post to it, either. And that’s a shame.

Can’t someone down there start a regional listserv for the NYC area and give 
NYSbirds back to the state? ;^)

Best,

Kevin McGowan
Ithaca

From: bounce-121020508-3714...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-121020508-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Larry 
Trachtenberg
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 1:44 PM
To: David Klauber ; Paul R Sweet 
Cc: NYSBIRDS-L 
Subject: RE: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher


If I may.  I do not use and anticipate never using any of Facebook (or its 
myriad bird groups), Twitter, bird text alert systems, 
ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; #birdcp on 
Twitter, the “various WhatsAp” bird sites referenced, or any of the seemingly 
endless selective groups that report birds to their members.  To quote WC 
Fields "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member” (not to say 
any of these clubs or whatever they may be would have me.).
I also was unaware that the NYSbird site was intended for rarities only.  As 
far as I understood; rather not only is there a NYS list-serve (which as with 
Andrew, is the only place I use other than when I get around occasionally to 
post to ebird), there are also seven others for various listserv regions around 
the state which you see if you go to the ABA site http://birding.aba.org 
(NY-Cayuga; NY-Genesee; NY-Hudson-Mohawk; NY-Northern; NY-Oneida; NY-Orange and 
NY-Chautauqua).  As David points out likely those came about because the main 
NYS listserv is dominated by downstate sightings often, like mine, mundane.  
Thus, the NY listserv sites are far different than those in NJ for example 
which has only two; a statewide place to post and a clearly identified NJ-RBA 
(but I do not know how carefully that is monitored).
In NY, every Saturday Gail Benson posts on the State NYSbird cite the weekly 
Rare Bird Alert for the five boroughs and Long Island and what it says is 
Westchester, although absent say a Virginia’s Warbler, Westchester seems to be 
reported infrequently.  That posting gives two ways to report a rare bird (as 
opposed a general post to the NYS listserv of more routine sightings that some 
may find interesting and some may not which is how I viewed the general 
listserv).  Per Gail’s regular Saturday posts for actual rare bird sightings in 
the indicated area(s) they should either be called in to a Hotline: New York 
City Area Rare Bird Alert:  Number: (212) 979-3070; or emailed to 
nysar...@nybirds.org (and if documentation is 
requested there is a link to an on-line form).  That, of course, begs the 
question as to whether if someone calls in a rare bird, will it show up on any 
list serve prior to Gail’s post on Saturday (assuming indeed the sighting is 
valid, or whatever criteria may be used).  Thus, if a Monday sighting was not 
posted until Saturday and the bird is gone, the twitchers would no longer be 
able to twitch (even if he/she were willing to drive out on the execrable LIE 
to get to wherever such rare bird may be on Long Island).
Personally, I post fairly regularly from my patch at Croton Point Park, a park 
which I know is visited by many birders.  Most of my posts tend to the mundane 
although some have reported an occasional rarity (e.g. cattle egret, American 
avocet, boat tailed grackle).  My CPP posts occasionally lead to direct off 
line email communication sometimes with comments of appreciation and/or 
requests for further info, and sometimes less so, shall we say, but I never 
thought nysbirds-l@cornell.edu was limited to 
only sightings of rarities, because, well it clearly has not been used that 
way.  It is also clear that NYS listserv is not universally used by those in 
Westchester to post rarities when they do show up – at 

Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Donna Schulman]

For the sake of the record (since this is an archived listserv...I think),
it was Groucho Marx who said, "I don’t want to belong to any club that will
accept me as a member," or some variation. There's uncertainty about the
exact circumstances and wording of the quote, since Groucho himself changed
the story and the line during his lifetime, but it undoubtedly originated
with him. 

To make this email "legal," here is some bird info:
I looked for the Ash-throated Flycatcher at Lido Beach Park West this
morning from 10:30 to 11:20 with no success. It was very windy, so it is
possible it is still here but hunkered down. The only other birds I saw
were 5 American Crows investigating the downed garbage pails and some
flyover American Goldfinches and House Finches.

Donna Schulman

*---*




*Donna L. SchulmanForest Hills, NY + North Brunswick,
njqueensgir...@gmail.com *


* *

On Mon, Nov 21, 2016 at 1:44 PM, Larry Trachtenberg  wrote:

>
>
> If I may.  I do not use and anticipate never using any of Facebook (or its
> myriad bird groups), Twitter, bird text alert systems,
> ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; #birdcp on Twitter, the “various WhatsAp” bird
> sites referenced, or any of the seemingly endless selective groups that
> report birds to their members.  To quote WC Fields "I refuse to join any
> club that would have me as a *member”* (not to say any of these clubs or
> whatever they may be would have me.).
>
> I also was unaware that the NYSbird site was intended for rarities only.  As
> far as I understood; rather not only is there a NYS list-serve (which as
> with Andrew, is the only place I use other than when I get around
> occasionally to post to ebird), there are also *seven others* for various
> listserv regions around the state which you see if you go to the ABA site
> http://birding.aba.org (NY-Cayuga; NY-Genesee; NY-Hudson-Mohawk;
> NY-Northern; NY-Oneida; NY-Orange and NY-Chautauqua).  As David points out
> likely those came about because the main NYS listserv is dominated by
> downstate sightings often, like mine, mundane.  Thus, the NY listserv sites
> are far different than those in NJ for example which has only two; a
> statewide place to post and a clearly identified NJ-RBA (but I do not know
> how carefully that is monitored).
>
> In NY, every Saturday Gail Benson posts on the State NYSbird cite the
> weekly Rare Bird Alert for the five boroughs and Long Island and what it
> says is Westchester, although absent say a Virginia’s Warbler, Westchester
> seems to be reported infrequently.  That posting gives two ways to report a
> rare bird (as opposed a general post to the NYS listserv of more routine
> sightings that some may find interesting and some may not which is how I
> viewed the general listserv).  Per Gail’s regular Saturday posts for actual
> rare bird sightings in the indicated area(s) they should either be called
> in to a Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert:  Number: (212)
> 979-3070; or emailed to nysar...@nybirds.org (and if documentation is
> requested there is a link to an on-line form).  That, of course, begs the
> question as to whether if someone calls in a rare bird, will it show up on
> any list serve prior to Gail’s post on Saturday (assuming indeed the
> sighting is valid, or whatever criteria may be used).  Thus, if a Monday
> sighting was not posted until Saturday and the bird is gone, the twitchers
> would no longer be able to twitch (even if he/she were willing to drive out
> on the execrable LIE to get to wherever such rare bird may be on Long
> Island).
>
> Personally, I post fairly regularly from my patch at Croton Point Park, a
> park which I know is visited by many birders.  Most of my posts tend to the
> mundane although some have reported an occasional rarity (*e.g.* cattle
> egret, American avocet, boat tailed grackle).  My CPP posts occasionally
> lead to direct off line email communication sometimes with comments of
> appreciation and/or requests for further info, and sometimes less so, shall
> we say, but I never thought nysbirds-l@cornell.edu was limited to only
> sightings of rarities, because, well it clearly has not been used that
> way.  It is also clear that NYS listserv is not universally used by those
> in Westchester to post rarities when they do show up – at CPP alone it was
> days last year before a lark sparrow was reported on the listserv after
> being initially only posted on Facebook (fortunately it stayed for months)
> and longer before a well photographed buff breasted sandpiper came to light
> (after it was long gone).
>
> At bottom, I do not think it will ever be resolved via consensus (and
> certainly not unanimity) even if as David says there is a designated
> NYS-RBA site that (a) people use, and (b) someone is willing to maintain
> (whatever 

Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Donna Schulman]

For the sake of the record (since this is an archived listserv...I think),
it was Groucho Marx who said, "I don’t want to belong to any club that will
accept me as a member," or some variation. There's uncertainty about the
exact circumstances and wording of the quote, since Groucho himself changed
the story and the line during his lifetime, but it undoubtedly originated
with him. 

To make this email "legal," here is some bird info:
I looked for the Ash-throated Flycatcher at Lido Beach Park West this
morning from 10:30 to 11:20 with no success. It was very windy, so it is
possible it is still here but hunkered down. The only other birds I saw
were 5 American Crows investigating the downed garbage pails and some
flyover American Goldfinches and House Finches.

Donna Schulman

*---*




*Donna L. SchulmanForest Hills, NY + North Brunswick,
njqueensgir...@gmail.com *


* *

On Mon, Nov 21, 2016 at 1:44 PM, Larry Trachtenberg  wrote:

>
>
> If I may.  I do not use and anticipate never using any of Facebook (or its
> myriad bird groups), Twitter, bird text alert systems,
> ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; #birdcp on Twitter, the “various WhatsAp” bird
> sites referenced, or any of the seemingly endless selective groups that
> report birds to their members.  To quote WC Fields "I refuse to join any
> club that would have me as a *member”* (not to say any of these clubs or
> whatever they may be would have me.).
>
> I also was unaware that the NYSbird site was intended for rarities only.  As
> far as I understood; rather not only is there a NYS list-serve (which as
> with Andrew, is the only place I use other than when I get around
> occasionally to post to ebird), there are also *seven others* for various
> listserv regions around the state which you see if you go to the ABA site
> http://birding.aba.org (NY-Cayuga; NY-Genesee; NY-Hudson-Mohawk;
> NY-Northern; NY-Oneida; NY-Orange and NY-Chautauqua).  As David points out
> likely those came about because the main NYS listserv is dominated by
> downstate sightings often, like mine, mundane.  Thus, the NY listserv sites
> are far different than those in NJ for example which has only two; a
> statewide place to post and a clearly identified NJ-RBA (but I do not know
> how carefully that is monitored).
>
> In NY, every Saturday Gail Benson posts on the State NYSbird cite the
> weekly Rare Bird Alert for the five boroughs and Long Island and what it
> says is Westchester, although absent say a Virginia’s Warbler, Westchester
> seems to be reported infrequently.  That posting gives two ways to report a
> rare bird (as opposed a general post to the NYS listserv of more routine
> sightings that some may find interesting and some may not which is how I
> viewed the general listserv).  Per Gail’s regular Saturday posts for actual
> rare bird sightings in the indicated area(s) they should either be called
> in to a Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert:  Number: (212)
> 979-3070; or emailed to nysar...@nybirds.org (and if documentation is
> requested there is a link to an on-line form).  That, of course, begs the
> question as to whether if someone calls in a rare bird, will it show up on
> any list serve prior to Gail’s post on Saturday (assuming indeed the
> sighting is valid, or whatever criteria may be used).  Thus, if a Monday
> sighting was not posted until Saturday and the bird is gone, the twitchers
> would no longer be able to twitch (even if he/she were willing to drive out
> on the execrable LIE to get to wherever such rare bird may be on Long
> Island).
>
> Personally, I post fairly regularly from my patch at Croton Point Park, a
> park which I know is visited by many birders.  Most of my posts tend to the
> mundane although some have reported an occasional rarity (*e.g.* cattle
> egret, American avocet, boat tailed grackle).  My CPP posts occasionally
> lead to direct off line email communication sometimes with comments of
> appreciation and/or requests for further info, and sometimes less so, shall
> we say, but I never thought nysbirds-l@cornell.edu was limited to only
> sightings of rarities, because, well it clearly has not been used that
> way.  It is also clear that NYS listserv is not universally used by those
> in Westchester to post rarities when they do show up – at CPP alone it was
> days last year before a lark sparrow was reported on the listserv after
> being initially only posted on Facebook (fortunately it stayed for months)
> and longer before a well photographed buff breasted sandpiper came to light
> (after it was long gone).
>
> At bottom, I do not think it will ever be resolved via consensus (and
> certainly not unanimity) even if as David says there is a designated
> NYS-RBA site that (a) people use, and (b) someone is willing to maintain
> (whatever that exactly means); although such a site seems 

RE: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Larry Trachtenberg]

If I may.  I do not use and anticipate never using any of Facebook (or its 
myriad bird groups), Twitter, bird text alert systems, 
ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; #birdcp on 
Twitter, the “various WhatsAp” bird sites referenced, or any of the seemingly 
endless selective groups that report birds to their members.  To quote WC 
Fields "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member” (not to say 
any of these clubs or whatever they may be would have me.).
I also was unaware that the NYSbird site was intended for rarities only.  As 
far as I understood; rather not only is there a NYS list-serve (which as with 
Andrew, is the only place I use other than when I get around occasionally to 
post to ebird), there are also seven others for various listserv regions around 
the state which you see if you go to the ABA site http://birding.aba.org 
(NY-Cayuga; NY-Genesee; NY-Hudson-Mohawk; NY-Northern; NY-Oneida; NY-Orange and 
NY-Chautauqua).  As David points out likely those came about because the main 
NYS listserv is dominated by downstate sightings often, like mine, mundane.  
Thus, the NY listserv sites are far different than those in NJ for example 
which has only two; a statewide place to post and a clearly identified NJ-RBA 
(but I do not know how carefully that is monitored).
In NY, every Saturday Gail Benson posts on the State NYSbird cite the weekly 
Rare Bird Alert for the five boroughs and Long Island and what it says is 
Westchester, although absent say a Virginia’s Warbler, Westchester seems to be 
reported infrequently.  That posting gives two ways to report a rare bird (as 
opposed a general post to the NYS listserv of more routine sightings that some 
may find interesting and some may not which is how I viewed the general 
listserv).  Per Gail’s regular Saturday posts for actual rare bird sightings in 
the indicated area(s) they should either be called in to a Hotline: New York 
City Area Rare Bird Alert:  Number: (212) 979-3070; or emailed to 
nysar...@nybirds.org (and if documentation is 
requested there is a link to an on-line form).  That, of course, begs the 
question as to whether if someone calls in a rare bird, will it show up on any 
list serve prior to Gail’s post on Saturday (assuming indeed the sighting is 
valid, or whatever criteria may be used).  Thus, if a Monday sighting was not 
posted until Saturday and the bird is gone, the twitchers would no longer be 
able to twitch (even if he/she were willing to drive out on the execrable LIE 
to get to wherever such rare bird may be on Long Island).
Personally, I post fairly regularly from my patch at Croton Point Park, a park 
which I know is visited by many birders.  Most of my posts tend to the mundane 
although some have reported an occasional rarity (e.g. cattle egret, American 
avocet, boat tailed grackle).  My CPP posts occasionally lead to direct off 
line email communication sometimes with comments of appreciation and/or 
requests for further info, and sometimes less so, shall we say, but I never 
thought nysbirds-l@cornell.edu was limited to 
only sightings of rarities, because, well it clearly has not been used that 
way.  It is also clear that NYS listserv is not universally used by those in 
Westchester to post rarities when they do show up – at CPP alone it was days 
last year before a lark sparrow was reported on the listserv after being 
initially only posted on Facebook (fortunately it stayed for months) and longer 
before a well photographed buff breasted sandpiper came to light (after it was 
long gone).
At bottom, I do not think it will ever be resolved via consensus (and certainly 
not unanimity) even if as David says there is a designated NYS-RBA site that 
(a) people use, and (b) someone is willing to maintain (whatever that exactly 
means); although such a site seems like a good idea. (What then, is rare?)


Lawrence B. Trachtenberg | 
trachtenb...@amsllp.com
Aronson Mayefsky & Sloan, LLP
12 E. 49th Street, New York, New York 10017 | T: 212.521.3511 | F: 212.838.5505

NOTICE: This e-mail is intended only for the named recipient(s). It contains 
confidential, privileged and/or attorney work product information. If you 
receive this e-mail in error, please do not disseminate, distribute or copy it 
or any attachments. Should you have erroneously received this e-mail, please 
notify the sender by replying to it or calling the phone number above and 
please delete the e-mail and any attachments from your system. Thank you!

From: bounce-121020378-10490...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-121020378-10490...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of David Klauber
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 1:19 PM
To: Paul R Sweet
Cc: nysbirds-l
Subject: Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher


Paul,



You raise  a good point. There is one site which historically has been THE site 
for 

RE: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Larry Trachtenberg]

If I may.  I do not use and anticipate never using any of Facebook (or its 
myriad bird groups), Twitter, bird text alert systems, 
ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; #birdcp on 
Twitter, the “various WhatsAp” bird sites referenced, or any of the seemingly 
endless selective groups that report birds to their members.  To quote WC 
Fields "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member” (not to say 
any of these clubs or whatever they may be would have me.).
I also was unaware that the NYSbird site was intended for rarities only.  As 
far as I understood; rather not only is there a NYS list-serve (which as with 
Andrew, is the only place I use other than when I get around occasionally to 
post to ebird), there are also seven others for various listserv regions around 
the state which you see if you go to the ABA site http://birding.aba.org 
(NY-Cayuga; NY-Genesee; NY-Hudson-Mohawk; NY-Northern; NY-Oneida; NY-Orange and 
NY-Chautauqua).  As David points out likely those came about because the main 
NYS listserv is dominated by downstate sightings often, like mine, mundane.  
Thus, the NY listserv sites are far different than those in NJ for example 
which has only two; a statewide place to post and a clearly identified NJ-RBA 
(but I do not know how carefully that is monitored).
In NY, every Saturday Gail Benson posts on the State NYSbird cite the weekly 
Rare Bird Alert for the five boroughs and Long Island and what it says is 
Westchester, although absent say a Virginia’s Warbler, Westchester seems to be 
reported infrequently.  That posting gives two ways to report a rare bird (as 
opposed a general post to the NYS listserv of more routine sightings that some 
may find interesting and some may not which is how I viewed the general 
listserv).  Per Gail’s regular Saturday posts for actual rare bird sightings in 
the indicated area(s) they should either be called in to a Hotline: New York 
City Area Rare Bird Alert:  Number: (212) 979-3070; or emailed to 
nysar...@nybirds.org (and if documentation is 
requested there is a link to an on-line form).  That, of course, begs the 
question as to whether if someone calls in a rare bird, will it show up on any 
list serve prior to Gail’s post on Saturday (assuming indeed the sighting is 
valid, or whatever criteria may be used).  Thus, if a Monday sighting was not 
posted until Saturday and the bird is gone, the twitchers would no longer be 
able to twitch (even if he/she were willing to drive out on the execrable LIE 
to get to wherever such rare bird may be on Long Island).
Personally, I post fairly regularly from my patch at Croton Point Park, a park 
which I know is visited by many birders.  Most of my posts tend to the mundane 
although some have reported an occasional rarity (e.g. cattle egret, American 
avocet, boat tailed grackle).  My CPP posts occasionally lead to direct off 
line email communication sometimes with comments of appreciation and/or 
requests for further info, and sometimes less so, shall we say, but I never 
thought nysbirds-l@cornell.edu was limited to 
only sightings of rarities, because, well it clearly has not been used that 
way.  It is also clear that NYS listserv is not universally used by those in 
Westchester to post rarities when they do show up – at CPP alone it was days 
last year before a lark sparrow was reported on the listserv after being 
initially only posted on Facebook (fortunately it stayed for months) and longer 
before a well photographed buff breasted sandpiper came to light (after it was 
long gone).
At bottom, I do not think it will ever be resolved via consensus (and certainly 
not unanimity) even if as David says there is a designated NYS-RBA site that 
(a) people use, and (b) someone is willing to maintain (whatever that exactly 
means); although such a site seems like a good idea. (What then, is rare?)


Lawrence B. Trachtenberg | 
trachtenb...@amsllp.com
Aronson Mayefsky & Sloan, LLP
12 E. 49th Street, New York, New York 10017 | T: 212.521.3511 | F: 212.838.5505

NOTICE: This e-mail is intended only for the named recipient(s). It contains 
confidential, privileged and/or attorney work product information. If you 
receive this e-mail in error, please do not disseminate, distribute or copy it 
or any attachments. Should you have erroneously received this e-mail, please 
notify the sender by replying to it or calling the phone number above and 
please delete the e-mail and any attachments from your system. Thank you!

From: bounce-121020378-10490...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-121020378-10490...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of David Klauber
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 1:19 PM
To: Paul R Sweet
Cc: nysbirds-l
Subject: Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher


Paul,



You raise  a good point. There is one site which historically has been THE site 
for 

Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[David Klauber]

Paul,


You raise  a good point. There is one site which historically has been THE site 
for reporting rare birds state wide, and that is the Cornell listserve NYS 
birds. While this is not only a rare bird alert, as its scope is broader, it 
still is the best place to get the word out on a rare bird. Unfortunately it 
has not been used as much in recent years due to people posting on other local 
and regional sites, as you noted.

I believe there been a perception - incorrect in my opinion- in the eyes of 
some upstate birders that it is mostly a downstate / NYC /Long Island 
listserve, possibly due to a majority of posts being from that area, at least 
in the past. And to Paul's point there have often been many "run of the mill" 
type daily posts of little interest to people who don't live in that area. This 
has resulted in many birders upstate using their regional listserves only, 
although a few people have made a good effort to cross post and get the word 
out to a wider audience. I don't think it takes much effort to list 2 addresses 
for those wanting to use their local sites and still get the word out to a 
wider audience when a rarity shows up.

But maybe to Paul's point a strictly RBA site state wide would address the 
issue. But someone would have to take responsibility for its upkeep.


Dave Klauber



From: bounce-121020070-3714...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Paul R Sweet 

Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 12:25 PM
To: Andrew Baksh
Cc: Ethan Maitra; ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; nysbirds-l
Subject: Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher


As I think I'm being called out here perhaps let's talk about some  
recommendations on how rarities are reported? Andrew you could take the lead 
here? One problem is that there are two “rare bird alerts” for NY that are 
often filled with run-of-the-mill daily lists and non rarity sightings. While 
these are of interest to some, they dilute the power of an RBA. As a suggestion 
could we make a recommendation that one of these becomes a true RBA for NYSARC 
reportable or at least scarce taxa only 
(nysbirds-l@cornell.edu) and the other a site 
for daily lists and musings on other aspects of local birding 
(ebirds...@yahoogroups.com). Of course the 
proliferation of bird alerts on Social Media such as #birdcp on Twitter and 
various WhatsAp and text alert groups add to the confusion. In short it would 
be great to standardize how and where true rare bird info appears. Ideally we 
should have a true RBA listserve like the one that Lloyd ran a few years ago. 
Over to you Andrew.



Paul Sweet

Paul Sweet | Department of Ornithology | American Museum of Natural History | 
Central Park West @ 79th St | NY 10024 | Tel 212 769 5780 | Mob 718 757 5941

On Nov 20, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Andrew Baksh 
birdingd...@gmail.com [ebirdsnyc] 
> 
wrote:



Good point but for many, the Nassau County ATFL might be out of the way. More 
interesting for me, is how the Brooklyn bird was reported. It appears to me 
that we are once again seeing a break down on how rare to uncommon birds are 
being reported.



I'll withhold fire for now but I again urge all in the game to keep up the 
generosity of sharing and sharing early and to the wider community. There are a 
lot of birders who don't text, tweet or are not using any form of social media 
to communicate. Let's not leave them out.



Thanks





"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass



風　Swift as the wind

林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain

Sun 
Tzu
  The Art of 
War



(\__/)
(= '.'=)

(") _ (")

Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!



Andrew Baksh

www.birdingdude.blogspot.com

On Nov 20, 2016, at 11:07 AM, Ethan Maitra 
astrobirde...@yahoo.com [ebirdsnyc] 

Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[David Klauber]

Paul,


You raise  a good point. There is one site which historically has been THE site 
for reporting rare birds state wide, and that is the Cornell listserve NYS 
birds. While this is not only a rare bird alert, as its scope is broader, it 
still is the best place to get the word out on a rare bird. Unfortunately it 
has not been used as much in recent years due to people posting on other local 
and regional sites, as you noted.

I believe there been a perception - incorrect in my opinion- in the eyes of 
some upstate birders that it is mostly a downstate / NYC /Long Island 
listserve, possibly due to a majority of posts being from that area, at least 
in the past. And to Paul's point there have often been many "run of the mill" 
type daily posts of little interest to people who don't live in that area. This 
has resulted in many birders upstate using their regional listserves only, 
although a few people have made a good effort to cross post and get the word 
out to a wider audience. I don't think it takes much effort to list 2 addresses 
for those wanting to use their local sites and still get the word out to a 
wider audience when a rarity shows up.

But maybe to Paul's point a strictly RBA site state wide would address the 
issue. But someone would have to take responsibility for its upkeep.


Dave Klauber



From: bounce-121020070-3714...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Paul R Sweet 

Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 12:25 PM
To: Andrew Baksh
Cc: Ethan Maitra; ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; nysbirds-l
Subject: Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher


As I think I'm being called out here perhaps let's talk about some  
recommendations on how rarities are reported? Andrew you could take the lead 
here? One problem is that there are two “rare bird alerts” for NY that are 
often filled with run-of-the-mill daily lists and non rarity sightings. While 
these are of interest to some, they dilute the power of an RBA. As a suggestion 
could we make a recommendation that one of these becomes a true RBA for NYSARC 
reportable or at least scarce taxa only 
(nysbirds-l@cornell.edu) and the other a site 
for daily lists and musings on other aspects of local birding 
(ebirds...@yahoogroups.com). Of course the 
proliferation of bird alerts on Social Media such as #birdcp on Twitter and 
various WhatsAp and text alert groups add to the confusion. In short it would 
be great to standardize how and where true rare bird info appears. Ideally we 
should have a true RBA listserve like the one that Lloyd ran a few years ago. 
Over to you Andrew.



Paul Sweet

Paul Sweet | Department of Ornithology | American Museum of Natural History | 
Central Park West @ 79th St | NY 10024 | Tel 212 769 5780 | Mob 718 757 5941

On Nov 20, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Andrew Baksh 
birdingd...@gmail.com [ebirdsnyc] 
mailto:ebirdsnyc-nore...@yahoogroups.com>> 
wrote:



Good point but for many, the Nassau County ATFL might be out of the way. More 
interesting for me, is how the Brooklyn bird was reported. It appears to me 
that we are once again seeing a break down on how rare to uncommon birds are 
being reported.



I'll withhold fire for now but I again urge all in the game to keep up the 
generosity of sharing and sharing early and to the wider community. There are a 
lot of birders who don't text, tweet or are not using any form of social media 
to communicate. Let's not leave them out.



Thanks





"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass



風　Swift as the wind

林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain

Sun 
Tzu
  The Art of 
War



(\__/)
(= '.'=)

(") _ (")

Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!



Andrew Baksh

www.birdingdude.blogspot.com

On Nov 20, 2016, at 11:07 AM, Ethan Maitra 
astrobirde...@yahoo.com [ebirdsnyc] 
mailto:ebirdsnyc-nore...@yahoogroups.com>> 
wrote:



Meanwhile, there's an Ash-throated Flycatcher in Nassau (West 

Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Andrew Block]

I agree with the thought that there should be one place to report rarities so 
everyone can see the reports.  The NYSBirds list is the place where that has 
been done for many years.  I am one of those who doesn't use other sites or 
modern technology to find out about rarities.  I only use the Cornell list and 
don't see why all people don't report there first and then if they want to 
report to other places that's fine.   In my opinion it's selfish not to report 
to a general place first.  I've noticed that this is the same in a lot of the 
other states in the area where some don't report to the state RBA.
Andrew Andrew v. F. Block
Consulting Naturalist
20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3
Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705-4629
Phone: 914-963-3080; Cell: 914-319-9701 



  From: Paul R Sweet 
 To: Andrew Baksh  
Cc: Ethan Maitra ; "ebirds...@yahoogroups.com" 
; nysbirds-l 
 Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 12:25 PM
 Subject: Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher
   
 As I think I'm being called out here perhaps let's talk 
about some  recommendations on how rarities are reported? Andrew you could take 
the lead here? One problem is that there are two “rare bird alerts” for NY that 
are often filled with run-of-the-mill daily lists and non rarity sightings. 
While these are of interest to some, they dilute the power of an RBA. As a 
suggestion could we make a recommendation that one of these becomes a true RBA 
for NYSARC reportable or at least scarce taxa only (nysbirds-l@cornell.edu) and 
the other a site for daily lists and musings on other aspects of local birding 
(ebirds...@yahoogroups.com). Of course the proliferation of bird alerts on 
Social Media such as #birdcp on Twitter and various WhatsAp and text alert 
groups add to the confusion. In short it would be great to standardize how and 
where true rare bird info appears. Ideally we should have a true RBA listserve 
like the one that Lloyd ran a few years ago. Over to you Andrew.     Paul Sweet

Paul Sweet | Department of Ornithology | American Museum of Natural History | 
Central Park West @ 79th St | NY 10024 | Tel 212 769 5780 | Mob 718 757 5941 
On Nov 20, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Andrew Baksh birdingd...@gmail.com [ebirdsnyc] 
 wrote: 
   Good point but for many, the Nassau County ATFL might be out of the way. 
More interesting for me, is how the Brooklyn bird was reported. It appears to 
me that we are once again seeing a break down on how rare to uncommon birds are 
being reported.    I'll withhold fire for now but I again urge all in the game 
to keep up the generosity of sharing and sharing early and to the wider 
community. There are a lot of birders who don't text, tweet or are not using 
any form of social media to communicate. Let's not leave them out.    Thanks    
 "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the 
ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ 
Frederick Douglass    風　Swift as the wind 林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain Sun Tzu  The Art of War    
(\__/)
(= '.'=)                                             

(") _ (")                                      

Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!  
   Andrew Baksh www.birdingdude.blogspot.com 
On Nov 20, 2016, at 11:07 AM, Ethan Maitra astrobirde...@yahoo.com [ebirdsnyc] 
 wrote: 
   Meanwhile, there's an Ash-throated Flycatcher in Nassau (West Lido Beach 
Town Park) that is visible from the public parking lot 
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Please submit your observations to eBird:

Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Andrew Block]

I agree with the thought that there should be one place to report rarities so 
everyone can see the reports.  The NYSBirds list is the place where that has 
been done for many years.  I am one of those who doesn't use other sites or 
modern technology to find out about rarities.  I only use the Cornell list and 
don't see why all people don't report there first and then if they want to 
report to other places that's fine.   In my opinion it's selfish not to report 
to a general place first.  I've noticed that this is the same in a lot of the 
other states in the area where some don't report to the state RBA.
Andrew Andrew v. F. Block
Consulting Naturalist
20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3
Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705-4629
Phone: 914-963-3080; Cell: 914-319-9701 



  From: Paul R Sweet 
 To: Andrew Baksh  
Cc: Ethan Maitra ; "ebirds...@yahoogroups.com" 
; nysbirds-l 
 Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 12:25 PM
 Subject: Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher
   
 As I think I'm being called out here perhaps let's talk 
about some  recommendations on how rarities are reported? Andrew you could take 
the lead here? One problem is that there are two “rare bird alerts” for NY that 
are often filled with run-of-the-mill daily lists and non rarity sightings. 
While these are of interest to some, they dilute the power of an RBA. As a 
suggestion could we make a recommendation that one of these becomes a true RBA 
for NYSARC reportable or at least scarce taxa only (nysbirds-l@cornell.edu) and 
the other a site for daily lists and musings on other aspects of local birding 
(ebirds...@yahoogroups.com). Of course the proliferation of bird alerts on 
Social Media such as #birdcp on Twitter and various WhatsAp and text alert 
groups add to the confusion. In short it would be great to standardize how and 
where true rare bird info appears. Ideally we should have a true RBA listserve 
like the one that Lloyd ran a few years ago. Over to you Andrew.     Paul Sweet

Paul Sweet | Department of Ornithology | American Museum of Natural History | 
Central Park West @ 79th St | NY 10024 | Tel 212 769 5780 | Mob 718 757 5941 
On Nov 20, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Andrew Baksh birdingd...@gmail.com [ebirdsnyc] 
 wrote: 
   Good point but for many, the Nassau County ATFL might be out of the way. 
More interesting for me, is how the Brooklyn bird was reported. It appears to 
me that we are once again seeing a break down on how rare to uncommon birds are 
being reported.    I'll withhold fire for now but I again urge all in the game 
to keep up the generosity of sharing and sharing early and to the wider 
community. There are a lot of birders who don't text, tweet or are not using 
any form of social media to communicate. Let's not leave them out.    Thanks    
 "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the 
ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ 
Frederick Douglass    風　Swift as the wind 林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain Sun Tzu  The Art of War    
(\__/)
(= '.'=)                                             

(") _ (")                                      

Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!  
   Andrew Baksh www.birdingdude.blogspot.com 
On Nov 20, 2016, at 11:07 AM, Ethan Maitra astrobirde...@yahoo.com [ebirdsnyc] 
 wrote: 
   Meanwhile, there's an Ash-throated Flycatcher in Nassau (West Lido Beach 
Town Park) that is visible from the public parking lot 
__._,_.___ Posted by: Andrew Baksh  
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Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Paul R Sweet]

As I think I'm being called out here perhaps let's talk about some  
recommendations on how rarities are reported? Andrew you could take the lead 
here? One problem is that there are two “rare bird alerts” for NY that are 
often filled with run-of-the-mill daily lists and non rarity sightings. While 
these are of interest to some, they dilute the power of an RBA. As a suggestion 
could we make a recommendation that one of these becomes a true RBA for NYSARC 
reportable or at least scarce taxa only 
(nysbirds-l@cornell.edu) and the other a site 
for daily lists and musings on other aspects of local birding 
(ebirds...@yahoogroups.com). Of course the 
proliferation of bird alerts on Social Media such as #birdcp on Twitter and 
various WhatsAp and text alert groups add to the confusion. In short it would 
be great to standardize how and where true rare bird info appears. Ideally we 
should have a true RBA listserve like the one that Lloyd ran a few years ago. 
Over to you Andrew.

Paul Sweet

Paul Sweet | Department of Ornithology | American Museum of Natural History | 
Central Park West @ 79th St | NY 10024 | Tel 212 769 5780 | Mob 718 757 5941

On Nov 20, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Andrew Baksh 
birdingd...@gmail.com [ebirdsnyc] 
> 
wrote:

Good point but for many, the Nassau County ATFL might be out of the way. More 
interesting for me, is how the Brooklyn bird was reported. It appears to me 
that we are once again seeing a break down on how rare to uncommon birds are 
being reported.

I'll withhold fire for now but I again urge all in the game to keep up the 
generosity of sharing and sharing early and to the wider community. There are a 
lot of birders who don't text, tweet or are not using any form of social media 
to communicate. Let's not leave them out.

Thanks


"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass

風　Swift as the wind
林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain
Sun 
Tzu
  The Art of 
War

(\__/)
(= '.'=)
(") _ (")
Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!

Andrew Baksh
www.birdingdude.blogspot.com

On Nov 20, 2016, at 11:07 AM, Ethan Maitra 
astrobirde...@yahoo.com [ebirdsnyc] 
> 
wrote:


Meanwhile, there's an Ash-throated Flycatcher in Nassau (West Lido Beach Town 
Park) that is visible from the public parking lot
__._,_.___

Posted by: Andrew Baksh >

Reply via web 
post

•

Reply to sender 


•

Reply to group 


•

Start a New 
Topic

•

Messages in this 

Re: [ebirdsnyc] Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Ash-throated Flycatcher

[Paul R Sweet]

As I think I'm being called out here perhaps let's talk about some  
recommendations on how rarities are reported? Andrew you could take the lead 
here? One problem is that there are two “rare bird alerts” for NY that are 
often filled with run-of-the-mill daily lists and non rarity sightings. While 
these are of interest to some, they dilute the power of an RBA. As a suggestion 
could we make a recommendation that one of these becomes a true RBA for NYSARC 
reportable or at least scarce taxa only 
(nysbirds-l@cornell.edu) and the other a site 
for daily lists and musings on other aspects of local birding 
(ebirds...@yahoogroups.com). Of course the 
proliferation of bird alerts on Social Media such as #birdcp on Twitter and 
various WhatsAp and text alert groups add to the confusion. In short it would 
be great to standardize how and where true rare bird info appears. Ideally we 
should have a true RBA listserve like the one that Lloyd ran a few years ago. 
Over to you Andrew.

Paul Sweet

Paul Sweet | Department of Ornithology | American Museum of Natural History | 
Central Park West @ 79th St | NY 10024 | Tel 212 769 5780 | Mob 718 757 5941

On Nov 20, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Andrew Baksh 
birdingd...@gmail.com [ebirdsnyc] 
mailto:ebirdsnyc-nore...@yahoogroups.com>> 
wrote:

Good point but for many, the Nassau County ATFL might be out of the way. More 
interesting for me, is how the Brooklyn bird was reported. It appears to me 
that we are once again seeing a break down on how rare to uncommon birds are 
being reported.

I'll withhold fire for now but I again urge all in the game to keep up the 
generosity of sharing and sharing early and to the wider community. There are a 
lot of birders who don't text, tweet or are not using any form of social media 
to communicate. Let's not leave them out.

Thanks


"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of 
others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick 
Douglass

風　Swift as the wind
林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain
Sun 
Tzu
  The Art of 
War

(\__/)
(= '.'=)
(") _ (")
Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device!

Andrew Baksh
www.birdingdude.blogspot.com

On Nov 20, 2016, at 11:07 AM, Ethan Maitra 
astrobirde...@yahoo.com [ebirdsnyc] 
mailto:ebirdsnyc-nore...@yahoogroups.com>> 
wrote:


Meanwhile, there's an Ash-throated Flycatcher in Nassau (West Lido Beach Town 
Park) that is visible from the public parking lot
__._,_.___

Posted by: Andrew Baksh mailto:birdingd...@gmail.com>>

Reply via web 
post

•

Reply to sender 


•

Reply to group 


•

Start a New 
Topic

•

Messages in this 

[nysbirds-l] North Shore Audubon Society meeting - this Tuesday, November 22, 2016. John Connors presents "Chimney Swifts and People"

[Nancy Tognan]

The North Shore Audubon Society will hold its monthly program on Tuesday,
November 22, 2016, from 7pm to 9pm, at the Manhasset Public Library, 30
Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset NY 11030.  All are invited, free of charge.

Public transportation users:  This location is a half-mile walk from the
Manhasset LIRR station.

 

John Connors will present "Chimney Swifts and People"

This presentation is an overview of Chimney Swifts from the perspective of a
young man who, as a child, birded with the sneaker-wearing lady members of
the Lyman Langdon Audubon Society (the prior name of the North Shore Audubon
Society).  John Connors now lives in North Carolina where he works to create
Chimney Swift habitats.  



For more information on NSAS programs and weekly walks, see
 www.northshoreaudubon.org  or

https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Shore-Audubon-Society/140649732651861 

 

Nancy Tognan

Publicity volunteer, North Shore Audubon Society
nancy.tog...@gmail.com  

 


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ARCHIVES:
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2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
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Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

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[nysbirds-l] North Shore Audubon Society meeting - this Tuesday, November 22, 2016. John Connors presents "Chimney Swifts and People"

[Nancy Tognan]

The North Shore Audubon Society will hold its monthly program on Tuesday,
November 22, 2016, from 7pm to 9pm, at the Manhasset Public Library, 30
Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset NY 11030.  All are invited, free of charge.

Public transportation users:  This location is a half-mile walk from the
Manhasset LIRR station.

 

John Connors will present "Chimney Swifts and People"

This presentation is an overview of Chimney Swifts from the perspective of a
young man who, as a child, birded with the sneaker-wearing lady members of
the Lyman Langdon Audubon Society (the prior name of the North Shore Audubon
Society).  John Connors now lives in North Carolina where he works to create
Chimney Swift habitats.  



For more information on NSAS programs and weekly walks, see
 www.northshoreaudubon.org  or

https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Shore-Audubon-Society/140649732651861 

 

Nancy Tognan

Publicity volunteer, North Shore Audubon Society
nancy.tog...@gmail.com  

 


--

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] Reminder: BBC Evening Presentation Tomorrow Night

[Dennis Hrehowsik]

*Tuesday, November 22nd, 7:00 P.M.*

*Better Birding, Tips, Tools and Concepts for the Field*

*Presenter: George L. Armistead*

*Location: Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch
 at Grand Army Plaza*

George L. Armistead will present identification strategies from his new
book, co-written with Brian Sullivan. Armistead is an expert birder, tour
leader, and an events coordinator with the American Birding Association and
Associate Professor of Ornithology at Drexel University.

http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

Dennis Hrehowsik

Brooklyn

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ARCHIVES:
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2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
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Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Reminder: BBC Evening Presentation Tomorrow Night

[Dennis Hrehowsik]

*Tuesday, November 22nd, 7:00 P.M.*

*Better Birding, Tips, Tools and Concepts for the Field*

*Presenter: George L. Armistead*

*Location: Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch
 at Grand Army Plaza*

George L. Armistead will present identification strategies from his new
book, co-written with Brian Sullivan. Armistead is an expert birder, tour
leader, and an events coordinator with the American Birding Association and
Associate Professor of Ornithology at Drexel University.

http://www.brooklynbirdclub.org/meetings.htm

Dennis Hrehowsik

Brooklyn

--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--