I wonder how many rare birds (casual, accidental, first in state, first in
country) we miss annually? When one considers the following factors:
* Areas that are rarely, or never, covered
* Birders' lack of familiarity with birds outside their region
* Birders' audio skills (eg, how many of us here in Minnesota would have
picked up on the recent Western Wood-Peewee's call?)
* Birds' ability to skulk, hide and otherwise camouflage their presence &
activity
* Disparity between birds' and birders' time of activity (how many of us get
out early enough in the morning, or late enough in the evening?)
* And other variables.
So, do we pick up on 2% of our rarer visitors? 5%? 10%?
Additionally, when we do pick up on a rarity, is it truly the only one in
the state, or one of many?
Speculations on a muggy June Wednesday morning (having enjoyed a
Golden-winged and Canada Warbler prior to starting).
Good birding to all!
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
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