This is disturbing and one of the reasons that I typically don't post as well. Earlier this spring I had a very distinctive bird fly over my car. It was flying with a very erratic beat of its sharp wings which also had white wing bars on them. Clearly to me this was my first Nighthawk of the season. Little did I realize that my very easily identifiable bird was was to be disputed. You see, I saw it on April 18. When I submitted it to eBird, it was questioned because (little did I realize) that the earliest recorded return of a nighthawk was May 14th, 1966. My intention was not to get a "earliest record". I post on eBird to keep track of my personal lifelist. Oh well. I never thought that I would have to get a picture of a nighthawk?
Bill Kass > Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 14:34:53 -0500 > From: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [mou-net] Potential First State Record Won't Be Shared > To: [email protected] > > Hi, Pastor Al, > I understand what you're saying and why, but I'm glad to "second" > Larry's experience. Most people have responded with patience to > questions, doubts, and even "risky" IDs, especially when presented > with specific reasons for certain decisions. Those in disagreement > usually provide alternative ideas, with support for those, which has > the effect of broadening one's education. > In the end, it's always possible that the birds will do things that > surprise us, because as someone we know once said, "Birds don't read > the books." > Linda Whyte > > On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 12:52 PM, Pastor Al Schirmacher > <[email protected]> wrote: > > Yesterday I spoke with a birder who had a unique sighting. This birder > > took substantial notes and is relatively certain about the bird they saw. > > > > However, the sighting will not be shared. > > > > It won't be documented because it would constitute a first state record and > > the perception is, without photos, it would never be accepted. > > > > It won't be posted to the net because the perception is that people will > > judge and negatively verbalize about the sighting. > > > > Over the last week I've been together with 30+ birders on my birding > > vacation and the MOU field trip. Discussion item #1 was, of course, birds > > seen & heard. Discussion item #2 - on multiple occasions (I initiated none > > of these discussions, many times simply listened) - was the perception that > > the MN birding community is often not friendly, and that posting unusual > > birds was a very risky proposition. A couple of birders mentioned that > > they've only posted once and never would again. There is also a perception > > of elitism and an "old boys club", that only "name" birders records are > > accepted, formally and informally. > > > > Sad. > > > > I'm not saying each of these accusations are true. In one sense it really > > doesn't matter whether the unfriendliness is perception or reality, whether > > it's a majority or minority or even a very few birders. The perception is > > driving behavior. And the behavior is not sharing sightings, which impacts > > us all. > > > > The perception needs to be changed. Minnesota birders, on and off MOU, > > need to be perceived as and/or become friendly, helpful, welcoming. > > Newbies need to be encouraged, publicly and privately. Back channel emails > > need to be thought through carefully. Comments in the field need to show > > restraint. > > > > I know it can happen, having come from a state where the organization & > > listserv were generally perceived positively. > > > > By the way, I am not the birder involved, just concerned about the impact > > (you know me, I share and let chips fall where they may). And I am > > extremely thankful for all who have shared and do share - both in MOU and > > outside - there are many excellent, friendly birders in this state! > > > > Good birding to all. > > > > Al Schirmacher > > Princeton, MN > > Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties > > > > > > ---- > > Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > > Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > ---- > Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail® goes with you. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/Mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_Mobile1_052009 ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
