I thought I'd share this simple screenshot of an eBird reviewer's dream. This is a review queue with no records unreviewed. "Congratulations you have no more records to review."
[image: Screenshot (231).png] On Sun, Dec 25, 2022 at 6:01 AM Patricia Cullen <[email protected]> wrote: > Happy Holidays to everyone! > > I'll start by saying, as encouraged by Joey Kellner's post -- > In Boulder County we enjoy the rapid and accurate work of volunteer > Christian Nunes, > thank you Christian and I hope he will continue this service to the > Colorado birding community, > as its helped make me a better birder. > > Susan Rosine's and Diana Beatty's questions are important to consider. > I hope Cornell/eBird can become more transparent in how they select eBird > Reviewers > and allow more birders with the right number of years of experience and > skills to apply. Relying on the old boy network to identify the "right" > candidates may not > be adequate. Its a big birding world and many very capable birders are > being overlooked as possible > reviewers today is likely. > > Its quite accurate that many rural counties around the USA and the > world, there is great disparity in the number of reviewers for rural > areas. > In Ithaca NY in Tomkins County, for an example , one will get a DETAILED > response within TEN MINUTES of > entering a rare bird species mistake, (ask me how I know! ). but for a > rare data entry in Huerfano County, CO, if you do submit a photo, it > may take years if it is ever confirmed. I have had solid > intermediate birders in Boulder County discuss this with me endlessly > and feel that maybe they should quit eBirding as they work hard to get an > excellent photo of a rare bird, in a rural county, > only to have that data "hidden" or "ignored" for a long time, as there > is no one to look at that fine photograph to confirm it. > > Note that one cannot easily find unconfirmed rare bird photographs in > eBird, without knowing the date, one of the observer's names, and place of > entry, then finding that list for > that person's name, by going to the hot spot and scrolling down to the > right date, and only > if at least ONE observation is unique will that data/list appear, and then > one > can click on he list DATE to pull it up, then voila the hidden photo is > indeed there, so not hidden at all! But hard to access. > If its a private spot where the rare bird was found, I am not sure how to > go about finding unconfirmed photos of rare birds, and I enter data > into eBird every day now for over 500 days. > > Another aspect of eBird reviewing that is not always transparent is how > one's number of eBird entries/year of birding over time. > affects what the reviewer may do! More clarity would help beginners to > understand the review process more thoroughly, > then they can respond appropriately, and not be afraid to enter rare bird > data, given that data can be filtered out and checked > for accuracy in a number of ways. > > Some will say that allowing applications to become reviewers may dilute > the skill level of this highly trained > team of birders, and, of course, the accuracy of eBird, but I would argue > that not only > will it NOT dilute the accuracy to have more timely attempts at review, it > will IMPROVE birders at a more rapid > rate as they will learn a lot becoming an eBird reviewer, and at least > those clear Summer Tanager Photos in Huerfano will > get a glimpse sooner and may well be quite easy to confirm. On the > really tough IDs, with inadequate descriptions or blurry photos, > its still a tall task for many reviewers today. And like > any job, those not suited will probably resign, anyway, so its not likely > to impact data quality to train > more volunteer reviewers. > > I will send my thoughts directly to Cornell/eBird once I refine them a bit > more. I welcome feedback about eBird, its purpose > and how accuracy is insured, by statistics, and by eBird reviewers, > privately or on this public forum. > > Good birding, > > Patricia Cullen > Boulder County > > > On Saturday, December 24, 2022 at 4:13:20 PM UTC-7 [email protected] > wrote: > >> How do people become eBird reviewers? Are there a set number of >> positions per area? Do people apply? How can someone know if there is a >> need in their area? >> >> Diana Beatty >> El Paso County >> >> On Sat, Dec 24, 2022, 2:58 PM David Suddjian <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I serve both as an eBird reviewer and an addicted user. >>> >>> I think a challenge arises when a county or region does not have someone >>> who is actively reviewing all the records for that area. Then they sit in >>> the queue, which can grow to 100s and 1000s. The user can't easily tell if >>> a record was invalidated or is simply not reviewed. Communication is often >>> lacking. The review queue soon grows very long and it is tedious and hard >>> or nearly impossible for a reviewer to go back and clear out the backlog >>> when new records keep coming in. Big backlogs are a problem, I think, as >>> the data which should help define the filters - that which is popping the >>> filters - is not reviewed maybe for a long time. >>> >>> I believe there are many capable birders who could review effectively >>> in their familiar counties. JoAnn herself is a good one for Eagle, I'd say. >>> The historical perspective is important, but most of the reviewing is of >>> current records and such folks are often aware of the current status and >>> distribution in their areas to catch something odd, and eBird data reveal >>> the historical picture to a degree. Whether they would want to review >>> for eBird, I couldn't say. But how much asking is happening? eBird's core >>> data quality feature is its filters and the review process, and since >>> birding and eBirding are growing, it seems the situation can only improve >>> through having more people actively involved, and more communication. Now >>> I'll go have fun birding :-) >>> >>> I will say thank you here to my home area eBird reviewer Scott >>> Somershoe. I'm grateful to Scott for staying on top of things with the big >>> review task here in the busily birded Denver Metro area. And thanks to all >>> the hard working, labor-of-love (sort of) volunteer reviewers serving >>> eBirders in Colorado. >>> >>> David Suddjian >>> Ken Caryl Valley >>> Littelton, CO >>> >>> On Sat, Dec 24, 2022 at 6:59 AM Joey Kellner <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Time out everyone. First of all, Happy Holidays to everyone! >>>> >>>> We must have a LOT of newer birders in Colorado. I say this because >>>> “back in the day”, we went birding for the fun of it and we called each >>>> other with our good bird sightings. Sharing “our” good bird with >>>> others was enough “confirmation”, we did not need a “reviewer” to validate >>>> our birding abilities. >>>> >>>> Personally, when I find a bird that flags as rare, I document it such >>>> that an eBird reviewer (tomorrow, next year or next decade) will not need >>>> to contact me. I attach photographs, sound recordings and/or write a >>>> *detailed* description OF THE BIRD (not that is flying, or that it is >>>> perched on a twig, but exactly what it looked like and how it might have >>>> differed from “the picture in the book”). The description should be >>>> detailed enough that it stands the “test of time”. A future >>>> researcher maybe 100 or 200 years from now (that has no idea what your >>>> birding skill-set was like) can also review your evidence and determine you >>>> saw what you said you saw. Describe the *bird* *and* then eliminate >>>> similarly appearing species. THEN, and here’s the *MOST** important >>>> part*, DON’T LOOK BACK! Move forward, get out for the joy and fun of >>>> birding, not because you NEED reassurance that you are a good birder or to >>>> see your name in “lights”, but because birding is FUN! >>>> >>>> As for the number of eBird reviewers, these are volunteers and finding >>>> people that have the historical background of Colorado (and county) birds, >>>> bird identification skills, *a thick skin* and WANT to do review is >>>> difficult. In the past we’ve had reviewers that literally accepted >>>> just about EVERY bird (contrary to the evidence supplied)! I (and >>>> likely eBird) would want reviewers that can scrutinize a record, make sure >>>> a more common species was not misidentified and ensure the data is as good >>>> as possible and that sometimes means not confirming some sightings. >>>> Reviewers >>>> get burned out, some volunteering literally hundreds of hours a year doing >>>> eBird record and filter reviews. Please don’t get mad at the people >>>> reviewing your records, it helps no one. They get just as frustrated >>>> at us birders.* Birders that that don’t read the eBird rules* and >>>> submit then 30-mile-long checklists, or create a checklist that follows a >>>> trail through three habitats in the course of 5 hours, or attach a photo to >>>> the wrong species. It has GOT to be exhausting to be an eBird >>>> reviewer! How many times have you said, “Thank you” to an eBird >>>> reviewer? Then think how many times you’ve complained about them? They >>>> are doing the best they can, trust me, I know many of them. Better to >>>> just document the heck out of your rare bird, let the birding community >>>> know and *move on* to more birding fun! >>>> >>>> Happy Holidays and I hope everyone can get out and see great birds in >>>> the new year! >>>> >>>> Joey. >>>> >>>> Joey Kellner >>>> >>>> Littleton, Colorado >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected] >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en >>>> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. >>>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate >>>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists >>>> https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ >>>> --- >>>> 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/9890905d-5a6e-4a96-bba5-69ea1d27ab12n%40googlegroups.com >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/9890905d-5a6e-4a96-bba5-69ea1d27ab12n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected] >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en >>> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. >>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate >>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ >>> --- >>> 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/CAGj6Roob%2BGMvkhqtOXZqMb6wBrpShi17ed9NR_ajOhyvhah02g%40mail.gmail.com >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGj6Roob%2BGMvkhqtOXZqMb6wBrpShi17ed9NR_ajOhyvhah02g%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Colorado Birds" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en > * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include > bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate > * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ > --- > 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/2499b322-db02-4ccc-a903-a971673dd962n%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/2499b322-db02-4ccc-a903-a971673dd962n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- 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/CAGj6RoqW6Jgg5D%3DxRtuR0_Cg4Nu%2BhN%2Bd-5Lgk759cqNPyCr9ag%40mail.gmail.com.
