Cheers--and much happy birding--to you, Allison!

On Monday, May 25, 2020 at 2:41:28 PM UTC-6, ahilf wrote:
>
> All, 
> I'm not sure Ira is correct in that the RBA is dead.   All I can say is 
> that myself, Dave Leatherman and John Drummond have stepped down from our 
> positions as RBA Compilers.   For the most part we all agree eBird 
> duplicates the RBA and it would be nice if COBIRDS was used more as a 
> platform to DISCUSS birds, rather than duplicate eBird RBA lists.
>
> My hope is that COBIRDS returns to a platform where we discuss birds, 
> habitats, behaviors, etc, and where we share experiences in the field vs 
> lists of what someone has seen (as once again eBird serves this purpose in 
> real timer for those interested in chasing birds).
>
> My most productive part birding today wasn't observing a bird, it was 
> encountering someone on a path a few blocks from my home who saw me 
> with binoculars and told me she heard a noise and subsequently found a dead 
> Robin near a window.    I explained to her how birds see reflections in 
> windows and are unable to discern if they are seeing a reflection of a 
> tree, feeder, etc or an actual tree, feeder, etc.    She was intrigued and 
> I brought her to see my windows which have special reflective CollidEscape 
> coverings on them.    I happened to have some extra tape, explained it 
> needed to be spaced at most 4" apart if placing vertically (as I have on my 
> windows).    She then noticed some birds at my water fountains and a few at 
> my feeders.   I was able to explain why water is so important for birds, 
> etc.   She was excited to watch House Finches begging for food.  
>  Guess what, she wants to join me for a walk next weekend.   To me, this is 
> MUCH more satisfying than the time I spend on the RBA.
>
> I will add that this week I had someone complain about which font was used 
> on the RBA; that a name was spelled incorrectly; that a breeding bird they 
> reported was left off the list; that a first found date and name were 
> incorrect; that a bird reported in a County which specified their 
> regulations prohibit visitors from leaving their cars was left off the RBA, 
> etc.   Never a Thank You for helping out with the RBA......Also, never a 
> "what's in the best interest of the bird or a what's in the interest for 
> the community".  To me, THIS is what should be every birders first priority.
>
> I do hope the RBA continues for those of you that look at it.   I don't 
> regret my time as a Compiler.   I just believe my priorities have changed 
> with the prominent eBird GPS type of birding and with the fact that during 
> COVID-19 travel restrictions so many birders openly violated them.
>
> Good Birding and Stay Safe,
> Allison Hilf
> Aurora, CO
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to [email protected].
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/6c876d8d-5add-4250-9396-e044484cfc8f%40googlegroups.com.

Reply via email to