Find myself a bit disturbed today with my MOU brethren. Believe this topic warrants a bit of polite, if diverging, discussion.
My position: if one joins MOU, if one derives benefit from MOU-Net & other reporting mechanisms, one should share one's sightings as well. I can understand withholding sensitive sightings, if rare birds are in peril of disturbance during nesting or roosting. However, if the rare sighting is of a migrant, vagrant or otherwise not in peril "good bird", it should be shared for the good of all. Sharing should be the default, rather than withholding. Sharing benefits others in the birding community, whether one looks at such from an educational, fellowship, mutual pleasure or variety of other viewpoints. Why hold back? Why share too late for others? Why share with only a few? I admit, I do not understand. Frankly I'd like to see a commitment to share be part of MOU membership and/or subscribing to MOU. Enough of my rant. If you respond, publicly or back channel, please do so with respect, and not naming others. Please note that I'm sharing no particulars. Good birding to all. Heading to the refuge, will share anything worthwhile:) Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Sent from my iPhone ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
