Hello all, Apologies for not weighing in on this sooner, but I've had some family issues on top of travel, and lost the previous thread. Could someone please forward the original discussion about eBird's NFC protocol back to me, *privately*, and I'll be happy to weigh in on the discussion to the group as a member of the eBird team and someone that thinks about flight calls?
I'm not clear on what part of the eBird instructions are unclear, whether there is confusion about how to comment on the numbers of flight calls recorded or estimate the number of individuals from those flight calls or both. Regards, Andrew On Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 4:39 PM, Andrew Albright <andrew.albri...@gmail.com> wrote: > The ebird NFC instructions are not clear. > > > On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, Holly Merker <hcybe...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hello Andrew, >> I'm the lead reviewer for eBird in Pennsylvania. I'm also on this NFC >> list, and so just read your post. >> I'm not sure why you sent Brian's private email to the entire list, but I >> am perceiving it as frustration with eBird review process. >> >> Please understand that eBird editors are volunteers, and it's our job to >> do the best we can to make sure the data entered into eBird is as accurate >> as possible in regard to science. Brian's emails to you, all of which I >> have read, have not been anything but helpful in trying to guide you to the >> process of entering NFC data- which is tricky, but which eBird outlines >> clearly in the instructions. >> >> If you are contributing your records to eBird for the purpose of science, >> we are just asking that you follow the protocols outlined. >> >> If you are using eBird to keep a personal NFC checklist- no problem- that >> is fine. But, please let us know- we can easily not send time working on >> it, and instead your records will be your own personal records, but not >> showing on the eBird data output. >> Thanks, >> Holly Merker >> eBird Pennslyvania >> >> >> On Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 4:13 PM, Andrew Albright < >> andrew.albri...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> *Bird counting:* We ask that you count the number of calls and, when >>> possible, try to estimate the number of birds present. >>> >>> On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, Brian Henderson via eBird < >>> ebird-rev...@cornell.edu> wrote: >>> >>>> Hey Andrew, >>>> >>>> I hate to sound like a broken record, but to stress one last time: >>>> >>>> For NFCs, eBird wants the bird/individual count listed in the number >>>> field, not call count. >>>> >>>> For Hermit Thrush on this list, you've got "NFC 4 | 3 different birds" >>>> in the notes. The reported count on in the number field is 4. It should >>>> be 3, based on what's stated in the notes. (The notes are fine - no need >>>> to change those.) >>>> >>>> Thanks! >>>> >>>> Species: Hermit Thrush >>>> Count: 4 >>>> Observation date: Oct 20, 2014 >>>> Location: US-PA-Maple Glen, Montgomery, US-PA >>>> Submission ID: S20295933 >>>> http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20295933 >>>> >>>> We strive for a high level of data quality at eBird not only because >>>> eBird is a scientific database, but also because we want to provide the >>>> best resources for the birding community. Birders use eBird every day to >>>> learn about bird distribution and occurrence, and your data are a valuable >>>> part of that process. If you'd like to learn more about the eBird data >>>> quality process click here: ( >>>> http://help.ebird.org/customer/portal/articles/1055676-understanding-the-ebird-review-and-data-quality-process >>>> ). >>>> >>>> Thanks for your understanding and for any help that you can provide. >>>> And most importantly, thank you for using eBird. Your participation is >>>> valued, and the observations you submit are an important part of helping us >>>> better understand birds and biodiversity in your area and around the world. >>>> >>>> Brian Henderson >>>> wbhender...@gmail.com >>>> >>> -- >>> *NFC-L List Info:* >>> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NFC_WELCOME> >>> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NFC_RULES> >>> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >>> <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NFC-L_SubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> >>> *Archives:* >>> The Mail Archive >>> <http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> >>> Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L> >>> BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html> >>> *Please submit your observations to eBird >>> <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* >>> -- >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> *Holly Cybelle Merker* >> *Downingtown, PA* >> *hcybe...@gmail.com* >> >> -- > *NFC-L List Info:* > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NFC_WELCOME> > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NFC_RULES> > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NFC-L_SubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > *Archives:* > The Mail Archive > <http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L> > BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html> > *Please submit your observations to eBird > <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>!* > -- > -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC-L_SubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
