Spotted by Sean Zimmer. S of bridge. We watched for about 5 minutes before it moved upslope On Mar 9, 2013 1:09 AM, "& [NYSBIRDS] digest" <nysbird...@list.cornell.edu> wrote:
> NYSBIRDS-L Digest for Friday, March 08, 2013. > > 1. Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls AND eBird > corporate" stance & related future eBird changes > 2. Re: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls AND > eBird corporate" stance & related future eBird changes > 3. Varied Thrush- Prospect Park > 4. Varied Thrush > 5. VARIED THRUSH in Prospect Park ( Kings) > 6. Brooklyn Varied Thrush follow-up > 7. Varied Thrush - Prospect Park > 8. Re: Varied Thrush, Brooklyn > 9. Re: Brooklyn Varied Thrush follow-up > 10. Varied Thrush - Prospect Park, Bklyn. > 11. Photos of Varied Thrush > 12. Spring Shorebird Migration Volunteers Needed > 13. BirdCallsRadio Update! > 14. NYC Area RBA: 8 March 2013 > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls AND > eBird corporate" stance & related future eBird changes > From: Andrew Baksh <birdingd...@gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 07:51:31 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 1 > > Good Morning All: > > Marshall Illiff, eBird Project Leader has given me permission to re-post an > e-mail submitted by him to the Maryland (MD) list serve, in response to a > discussion on the disturbance of Long-Eared Owls. Marshall's response on > the MD list serve, highlights the understanding of eBird personnel on the > challenges faced by birders on the reporting of sensitive species and > discusses related changes coming soon to eBird to address this and other > reporting issues. > > I recommend reading Marshall's write-up in its entirety or at the very > least, read the end. I think you will find it gives hope for the continued > use of eBird for entering sensitive species, while protecting the birds we > love. > > Good and Responsible Birding! > > Andrew Baksh > Queens, NY > www.birdingdude.blogspot.com > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Marshall Iliff <mil...@aol.com> > Date: Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 7:31 AM > Subject: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls > To: Andrew Baksh <birdingd...@gmail.com> > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Marshall Iliff <mil...@aol.com> > Date: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 11:26 AM > Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls > To: mdbird...@googlegroups.com > > > MDBirding, > > As many of you may know, I am an ex-Marylander, still have family in > Annapolis, and live now in Massachusetts. I feel quite nostalgic for my > home state, especially when I see how much Maryland has embraced eBird and > what a vibrant, curious, and interesting community of birders Maryland has, > as evidenced by discussions like this and others on MDBirding. The topic in > this case is an unfortunate one, but it is not one that is unique to > Maryland. > > I think Bill, Matt and others have provided some great comments and > guidance for this issue in general. I'd like to specifically address where > eBird is on this. You can consider this the "eBird corporate" stance, if > you will, as Bill is fond of saying :-). > > First, the issue of sensitive species is one that has been on our radar > screen for a long time at the Cornell Lab as we have tried to grow eBird. > There has always been tension between the two ideas that have been > mentioned: on the one hand, we want the birds that we love to be safe and > do not want actions by birders or photographers to negatively impact the > birds as they seek them out and enjoy them in the field; on the other hand, > we also firmly believe that the scientific value, usefulness as a tool for > birdwatchers, and, importantly, the conservation value of the bird > information in eBird is most helpful when birds are reported at the finest > (most specific) scale possible. Reporting a Scarlet Tanager sighting from > "Maryland" is not worthless, but not very informative. Reporting it as > "Anne Arundel County", is slightly better, and from the town of "Annapolis" > better still. Reporting it from the hotspot that represents the 80-acre > property on the South River starts to get even more specific and truly > valuable for understanding the relationship of the bird to the habitat it > was using, and this is what we hope most eBirders are doing. Obviously one > could report at even finer scales, maybe from the 20 acre woodland near > Forest Drive that is the actual habitat where 2-3 Scarlet Tanager > territories still persist; I could even do a stationary count at the exact > spot where I saw or heard the tanager. Our official eBird recommendations > are "the finer scale the better" and if I divided my one-mile morning > birdwalks on this property into 50 sections of 100 ft each, that would be a > fantastic dataset. But no one has the time to do that, so our general rule > is try to keep your traveling counts to five miles or less, try to report > from the most accurate location possible and try to use established > hotspots when possible. If you are willing to establish a route of point > counts or short transects and survey those regularly, eBird welcomes that, > but many of us are busy. Those that submit from "Blackwater NWR" or > "Assateague National Seashore" are still providing very valuable data, even > if the traveling counts are apt to be long and those hotspots represent > large areas. > > So with that stance that we want fine-scale reports, how then can we > balance the very real problems with sensitive species? > > I should say at the outset, that the Maryland eBird reviewers, and Bill in > particular, have regularly been very helpful to those of us at "eBird > Central" to defining policies on sensitive species. Recognizing that such > cases are rare, we also have to acknowledge that serious ethical (or legal) > breaches *do* occur. A short list of the sensitive species problems that > eBird users have been involved with include: failure to follow established > protocol for access to birding sites; trespassing on private personal > property; trespassing on federal property; visitation of highly restricted > scientific research stations involved in the study and protection of > Endangered species; disturbance of rare/sensitive species; and even, at > least once, targeted hunting (successfully) rare ducks reported via eBird. > Of course, the recent Long-eared Owl issue may be connected to eBird as > well. > > Although these examples are all rare, they are also very concerning. While > eBird is not really directly responsible for the unethical or illegal > actions of a very small minority of inconsiderate > birders/photographers/hunters, eBird does have great responsibility as the > gatekeepers to an unprecedented database (now 120 million records and > growing) on bird occurrence and distribution. We work hard to make the > information free and available, but we need to do this responsibly. > > We are at a point now where the old methods -- entrusting birders to report > responsibly and understand the nuances of site specificity and the myriad > output tools in eBird -- simply is no longer tenable. We are proud of the > enthusiasm around eBird Rarity Alerts and eBird Needs Alerts, but we also > see the danger with instantly feeding out "needed" birds in ways that can't > be controlled. Bachman's Warblers are presumed extinct, but if a Bachman's > Warbler is found in the Great Dismal Swamp in April 2013 and reported with > site specific directions on eBird, those details will literally be > available to the entire community of eBird users--even those without > accounts--within an hour. While this is also true of a listserv posting, I > think we can all agree that if a single pair of Bachman's Warblers remains > in the world, the best thing for that species' survival may *not* be to > have birders know about it. Even if 99.9% of us are respectful, I can > pretty much guarantee that some birders will sneak in, disobey rules, play > tape to the pair, try to find the nest, and stalk both male and female > relentlessly for photos. While I understand that impulse, I worry about > eBird's role in adding to the pressure for rare and sensitive species > simply through providing 21st century era information exchange. While we > inherently believe that information exchange is good in almost all cases, > all of us should think first before putting any bird information out on the > internet (eBird or listservs), just in case it is one of those rare cases > where it may cause more harm than good. > > To that end, eBird is committed to revising the tools available to hide or > obscure reports. This will almost certainly involve better tools for a > user, that allow one to hide a specific observation from eBird output > (currently one can only hide an entire checklist) or to hide or obscure a > specific personal location. For mapped output, we also expect to implement > a structure whereby some species of high concern will be automatically > "blurred". Once this is implemented, we will recommend that the Maryland > editor team "blur" Long-eared Owls. This would mean that anyone can report > Long-eared Owl from Maryland when they find one, but it will not be > possible to find the specific information via eBird output tools. We may > even need a way to obscure the reporter of such birds, so that that > individual is not hounded by others saying "I know you had a Long-eared > Owl, tell me where. Tell Me Where! TELL ME WHERE!!!!" > > We hope and expect this "blurring" will be used only in very very few > cases, but when species are truly sensitive and their very safety may be at > risk from birder attention, we simply have to modify eBird to protect them. > This is especially critical in the United Kingdom. Last time I visited I > was taken to see raptor species in one of the last locations for the > species in the country. To make sure that I didn't put the bird at risk (by > reporting to eBird), I was told stories about egg collectors who learned of > another location, snuck in past wardens assigned to protect the birds, > found the nest, and stole the entire clutch. Thankfully this type of > behavior is rare to nonexistent in the U.S., but I have heard of goshawk > and Peregrine nests being raided by falconers, so American birds are indeed > at risk from similar activity. > > I am posting not to address this specific situation, but simply to plant a > flag that eBird will deal with this issue comprehensively in the near > future (for us that means within the year, or so), and that in the meantime > we would like to stress again that birders that use eBird (by the way, > thank you for reporting to eBird!) think about what cases you may need to > modify your reporting for the bird's benefit. I know Bill and others have > posted it here before, but our story on the topic does address the > important cases and how to approach them: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/reporting-sensitive-species > > If you made it this far, thanks for reading, and thanks for your support of > eBird. I'll post a more lighthearted followup. > > Best, > > Marshall Iliff > eBird Project Leader > West Roxbury, MA > miliff AT aol.com > > > > On Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 8:51 AM, world oceans <world.ocea...@gmail.com > >wrote: > > > This is a good dialogue on a very important topic. Thank you, Bill, > > for your informative discussion of this . I don't know which is more > > disturbing , the disregard for owls' welfare or the ego- driven > > animosity that surfaces too often among birders . As a person who has > > loved and studied owls all my life, I can tell you that many birders > > want to see owls so much, they will do almost anything to make that > > happen. The bottom line which we all must remember is that the birds' > > well-being is ALWAYS more important than our lists or selfish desires > > -- no exceptions, no excuses, no 'it wont matter just this once ' > > justifications. > > > > James Gibson > > Silver Spring > > > > On 2/6/13, jflowers <artsnima...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > On Tuesday, February 5, 2013 10:00:24 PM UTC-5, Bill Hubick wrote: > > >> All, > > >> > > >> I received a highly troubling report today that a known > > >> Long-eared Owl roost site has been seriously disturbed. It appears > > >> someone has cut branches from the roost tree to allow for better > > >> photography. The cuts were fresh, only on the roost tree, and clearly > > >> not part of a larger park maintenance effort. At least one of the > > >> branches cut was described as being nearly the width of the observer's > > >> arm. > > >> Horrible. > > >> > > >> > > >> The topic of sensitive species has received some recent discussion, > > >> with the more vocal parties being on the "why is information being > > >> suppressed?" side. Unfortunately, unacceptable events like this one > have > > >> happened many times before. It is the significantly increased risk of > > >> events like this that makes open discussion of sensitive species so > > >> dangerous. In most cases, it's not a problem if > > >> a few more respectful people observe from a distance. However, as > > >> traffic increases, the likelihood of poor behavior drastically > > >> increases. One could argue that education is the key ("don't keep it > > >> secret | tell people how to behave"), but people who do something like > > >> this aren't just lacking mentoring. The changes in the communication > of > > >> bird sightings in the last five years can hardly be overstated. We > have > > a > > >> primary list-serve at record-setting membership that is supplemented > by > > >> many new members. We have a Maryland Facebook page attracting many > new > > >> and enthusiastic people. We are also one of the states with the most > > >> comprehensive eBird buy-in in the country. And eBird, of course, has > > >> fundamentally changed how we share our sightings, with the various > > >> hourly "needs" alerts that are so popular certainly factoring in > heavily > > >> in these cases. These are all very good things, and I actively > > >> support all of them. The wider net is a great thing and is not > > >> going away. That said, these technological changes certainly have a > lot > > >> to do > > >> with the increased attention these Long-eared Owls have received. > > >> Balancing transparency and sensitivity is going to remain a challenge, > > >> and self-policing what is shared, when, and how needs to be further > > >> considered. > > >> > > >> > > >> This list-serve just yesterday amended its guidelines to explicitly > > >> state that locations for Long-eared Owls are not allowed. I am a > > >> Maryland eBird reviewer and I personally lean toward hiding all > specific > > >> locations for LEOW there as well. However, I must discus that opinion > > >> as part of a team and with input from corporate eBird. This is far > from > > a > > >> black-and-white issue. The "we can't protect it if we don't know it's > > >> there" argument is sound. But how do you balance that with "we know > > >> we're not protecting them when we're sawing @#$#*% branches off their > > >> roost trees"? So as a reviewer, I assure you we will revisit this > topic. > > >> In the mean time, remember that eBird is a > > >> public communication tool like this list-serve. You can make > decisions > > >> to use the "hide" functionality, to report such species at the county > > >> level, and so on. More importantly, you can encourage others to do the > > >> same. Whatever suggestions you make, please do so politely. There have > > >> been some barbs thrown recently that were unwarranted. This list-serve > > >> wants productive discussion of such topics, but will cut off any > threads > > >> that turn into flame wars. > > >> > > >> > > >> Our growth as a nature study community only matters if we find ways to > > >> harness it for good things. Let's find ways to do so. > > >> > > >> Bill > > >> > > >> Bill Hubick > > >> Pasadena, Maryland > > >> bill_...@yahoo.com > > >> http://www.billhubick.com > > >> http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com > > > > > > > > > This is truly annoying Bill! However, are you sure it was a > photographer > > > that did this? It might and does make sense, but pinning that on a > > > photographer unless knowing this for sure might be jumping the gun a > > bit. No > > > matter who the culprit was he or she needs to be educated as to the > > > sensitivity of this species. > > > > > > My concern for your diagnoses is that there is already enough animosity > > > between birders and photographers as it is. I say this with concern as > I > > am > > > both a birder and an avian photographer and I have witnessed rudeness > and > > > bad behavior by both birders and photographers more than I care to > admit. > > > > > > I remember several occasions last year sitting in my car on a little > but > > > well known road in western Maryland with a camera and 800mm lens on a > > bean > > > bag in my window while a few large groups of birders were stomping down > > the > > > breeding habitat of Golden-winged Warblers. I was so angry you could > have > > > fried an egg with my breath. > > > > > > But I will say that I'm sorry that someone wanted a look or a > photograph > > of > > > this species without any concern for it. There is no excuse for that! > We > > > needd to better police our fellow birders and photographers. > > > > > > JIm > > > > > > -- > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > > Group > > > 'Maryland & DC Birding'. > > > To view group guidelines or change email preferences, visit this group > on > > > the web at http://www.mdbirding.com > > > Posts can be sent to the group by sending an email to > > > mdbird...@googlegroups.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > **************************** > Marshall J. Iliff > miliff AT aol.com > West Roxbury, MA > **************************** > eBird/AKN Project Leader > www.ebird.org > www.avianknowledge.net > > Cornell Lab of Ornithology > Ithaca, NY > **************************** > > > > -- > > > **************************** > Marshall J. Iliff > miliff AT aol.com > West Roxbury, MA > **************************** > eBird/AKN Project Leader > www.ebird.org > www.avianknowledge.net > Cornell Lab of Ornithology > Ithaca, NY > **************************** > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Re: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls > AND eBird corporate" stance & related future eBird changes > From: Hugh McGuinness <hdmcguinn...@gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 08:48:45 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 2 > > Just as an FYI, everyone should know that it turned out that these > particular Long-eared Owls were not subjected to purposeful disturbance. > The story: some branches were cut on their roost tree. Everyone presumed > that a photographer had done it, however, it turned out that a state agency > that had no knowledge of the birds' presence had just been performing > routine maintenance along a right-of-way. This doesn't change the intent of > Andrew's post, but I just didn't want this incident to cause bad feelings > and disenchantment about unspecified and non-existent evil-doers. > > Hugh > > On Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 7:51 AM, Andrew Baksh <birdingd...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > > Good Morning All: > > > > Marshall Illiff, eBird Project Leader has given me permission to re-post > > an e-mail submitted by him to the Maryland (MD) list serve, in response > to > > a discussion on the disturbance of Long-Eared Owls. Marshall's response > on > > the MD list serve, highlights the understanding of eBird personnel on the > > challenges faced by birders on the reporting of sensitive species and > > discusses related changes coming soon to eBird to address this and other > > reporting issues. > > > > I recommend reading Marshall's write-up in its entirety or at the very > > least, read the end. I think you will find it gives hope for the > continued > > use of eBird for entering sensitive species, while protecting the birds > we > > love. > > > > Good and Responsible Birding! > > > > Andrew Baksh > > Queens, NY > > www.birdingdude.blogspot.com > > > > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Marshall Iliff <mil...@aol.com> > > Date: Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 7:31 AM > > Subject: Fwd: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls > > To: Andrew Baksh <birdingd...@gmail.com> > > > > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Marshall Iliff <mil...@aol.com> > > Date: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 11:26 AM > > Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Re: Bad News--Disturbance of Long-eared Owls > > To: mdbird...@googlegroups.com > > > > > > MDBirding, > > > > As many of you may know, I am an ex-Marylander, still have family in > > Annapolis, and live now in Massachusetts. I feel quite nostalgic for my > > home state, especially when I see how much Maryland has embraced eBird > and > > what a vibrant, curious, and interesting community of birders Maryland > has, > > as evidenced by discussions like this and others on MDBirding. The topic > in > > this case is an unfortunate one, but it is not one that is unique to > > Maryland. > > > > I think Bill, Matt and others have provided some great comments and > > guidance for this issue in general. I'd like to specifically address > where > > eBird is on this. You can consider this the "eBird corporate" stance, if > > you will, as Bill is fond of saying :-). > > > > First, the issue of sensitive species is one that has been on our radar > > screen for a long time at the Cornell Lab as we have tried to grow eBird. > > There has always been tension between the two ideas that have been > > mentioned: on the one hand, we want the birds that we love to be safe and > > do not want actions by birders or photographers to negatively impact the > > birds as they seek them out and enjoy them in the field; on the other > hand, > > we also firmly believe that the scientific value, usefulness as a tool > for > > birdwatchers, and, importantly, the conservation value of the bird > > information in eBird is most helpful when birds are reported at the > finest > > (most specific) scale possible. Reporting a Scarlet Tanager sighting from > > "Maryland" is not worthless, but not very informative. Reporting it as > > "Anne Arundel County", is slightly better, and from the town of > "Annapolis" > > better still. Reporting it from the hotspot that represents the 80-acre > > property on the South River starts to get even more specific and truly > > valuable for understanding the relationship of the bird to the habitat it > > was using, and this is what we hope most eBirders are doing. Obviously > one > > could report at even finer scales, maybe from the 20 acre woodland near > > Forest Drive that is the actual habitat where 2-3 Scarlet Tanager > > territories still persist; I could even do a stationary count at the > exact > > spot where I saw or heard the tanager. Our official eBird recommendations > > are "the finer scale the better" and if I divided my one-mile morning > > birdwalks on this property into 50 sections of 100 ft each, that would > be a > > fantastic dataset. But no one has the time to do that, so our general > rule > > is try to keep your traveling counts to five miles or less, try to report > > from the most accurate location possible and try to use established > > hotspots when possible. If you are willing to establish a route of point > > counts or short transects and survey those regularly, eBird welcomes > that, > > but many of us are busy. Those that submit from "Blackwater NWR" or > > "Assateague National Seashore" are still providing very valuable data, > even > > if the traveling counts are apt to be long and those hotspots represent > > large areas. > > > > So with that stance that we want fine-scale reports, how then can we > > balance the very real problems with sensitive species? > > > > I should say at the outset, that the Maryland eBird reviewers, and Bill > in > > particular, have regularly been very helpful to those of us at "eBird > > Central" to defining policies on sensitive species. Recognizing that such > > cases are rare, we also have to acknowledge that serious ethical (or > legal) > > breaches *do* occur. A short list of the sensitive species problems that > > eBird users have been involved with include: failure to follow > established > > protocol for access to birding sites; trespassing on private personal > > property; trespassing on federal property; visitation of highly > restricted > > scientific research stations involved in the study and protection of > > Endangered species; disturbance of rare/sensitive species; and even, at > > least once, targeted hunting (successfully) rare ducks reported via > eBird. > > Of course, the recent Long-eared Owl issue may be connected to eBird as > > well. > > > > Although these examples are all rare, they are also very concerning. > While > > eBird is not really directly responsible for the unethical or illegal > > actions of a very small minority of inconsiderate > > birders/photographers/hunters, eBird does have great responsibility as > the > > gatekeepers to an unprecedented database (now 120 million records and > > growing) on bird occurrence and distribution. We work hard to make the > > information free and available, but we need to do this responsibly. > > > > We are at a point now where the old methods -- entrusting birders to > > report responsibly and understand the nuances of site specificity and the > > myriad output tools in eBird -- simply is no longer tenable. We are proud > > of the enthusiasm around eBird Rarity Alerts and eBird Needs Alerts, but > we > > also see the danger with instantly feeding out "needed" birds in ways > that > > can't be controlled. Bachman's Warblers are presumed extinct, but if a > > Bachman's Warbler is found in the Great Dismal Swamp in April 2013 and > > reported with site specific directions on eBird, those details will > > literally be available to the entire community of eBird users--even those > > without accounts--within an hour. While this is also true of a listserv > > posting, I think we can all agree that if a single pair of Bachman's > > Warblers remains in the world, the best thing for that species' survival > > may *not* be to have birders know about it. Even if 99.9% of us are > > respectful, I can pretty much guarantee that some birders will sneak in, > > disobey rules, play tape to the pair, try to find the nest, and stalk > both > > male and female relentlessly for photos. While I understand that > impulse, I > > worry about eBird's role in adding to the pressure for rare and sensitive > > species simply through providing 21st century era information exchange. > > While we inherently believe that information exchange is good in almost > all > > cases, all of us should think first before putting any bird information > out > > on the internet (eBird or listservs), just in case it is one of those > rare > > cases where it may cause more harm than good. > > > > To that end, eBird is committed to revising the tools available to hide > or > > obscure reports. This will almost certainly involve better tools for a > > user, that allow one to hide a specific observation from eBird output > > (currently one can only hide an entire checklist) or to hide or obscure a > > specific personal location. For mapped output, we also expect to > implement > > a structure whereby some species of high concern will be automatically > > "blurred". Once this is implemented, we will recommend that the Maryland > > editor team "blur" Long-eared Owls. This would mean that anyone can > report > > Long-eared Owl from Maryland when they find one, but it will not be > > possible to find the specific information via eBird output tools. We may > > even need a way to obscure the reporter of such birds, so that that > > individual is not hounded by others saying "I know you had a Long-eared > > Owl, tell me where. Tell Me Where! TELL ME WHERE!!!!" > > > > We hope and expect this "blurring" will be used only in very very few > > cases, but when species are truly sensitive and their very safety may be > at > > risk from birder attention, we simply have to modify eBird to protect > them. > > This is especially critical in the United Kingdom. Last time I visited I > > was taken to see raptor species in one of the last locations for the > > species in the country. To make sure that I didn't put the bird at risk > (by > > reporting to eBird), I was told stories about egg collectors who learned > of > > another location, snuck in past wardens assigned to protect the birds, > > found the nest, and stole the entire clutch. Thankfully this type of > > behavior is rare to nonexistent in the U.S., but I have heard of goshawk > > and Peregrine nests being raided by falconers, so American birds are > indeed > > at risk from similar activity. > > > > I am posting not to address this specific situation, but simply to plant > a > > flag that eBird will deal with this issue comprehensively in the near > > future (for us that means within the year, or so), and that in the > meantime > > we would like to stress again that birders that use eBird (by the way, > > thank you for reporting to eBird!) think about what cases you may need to > > modify your reporting for the bird's benefit. I know Bill and others have > > posted it here before, but our story on the topic does address the > > important cases and how to approach them: > > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/reporting-sensitive-species > > > > If you made it this far, thanks for reading, and thanks for your support > > of eBird. I'll post a more lighthearted followup. > > > > Best, > > > > Marshall Iliff > > eBird Project Leader > > West Roxbury, MA > > miliff AT aol.com > > > > > > > > On Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 8:51 AM, world oceans <world.ocea...@gmail.com > >wrote: > > > >> This is a good dialogue on a very important topic. Thank you, Bill, > >> for your informative discussion of this . I don't know which is more > >> disturbing , the disregard for owls' welfare or the ego- driven > >> animosity that surfaces too often among birders . As a person who has > >> loved and studied owls all my life, I can tell you that many birders > >> want to see owls so much, they will do almost anything to make that > >> happen. The bottom line which we all must remember is that the birds' > >> well-being is ALWAYS more important than our lists or selfish desires > >> -- no exceptions, no excuses, no 'it wont matter just this once ' > >> justifications. > >> > >> James Gibson > >> Silver Spring > >> > >> On 2/6/13, jflowers <artsnima...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> > On Tuesday, February 5, 2013 10:00:24 PM UTC-5, Bill Hubick wrote: > >> >> All, > >> >> > >> >> I received a highly troubling report today that a known > >> >> Long-eared Owl roost site has been seriously disturbed. It appears > >> >> someone has cut branches from the roost tree to allow for better > >> >> photography. The cuts were fresh, only on the roost tree, and clearly > >> >> not part of a larger park maintenance effort. At least one of the > >> >> branches cut was described as being nearly the width of the > observer's > >> >> arm. > >> >> Horrible. > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> The topic of sensitive species has received some recent discussion, > >> >> with the more vocal parties being on the "why is information being > >> >> suppressed?" side. Unfortunately, unacceptable events like this one > >> have > >> >> happened many times before. It is the significantly increased risk > of > >> >> events like this that makes open discussion of sensitive species so > >> >> dangerous. In most cases, it's not a problem if > >> >> a few more respectful people observe from a distance. However, as > >> >> traffic increases, the likelihood of poor behavior drastically > >> >> increases. One could argue that education is the key ("don't keep it > >> >> secret | tell people how to behave"), but people who do something > like > >> >> this aren't just lacking mentoring. The changes in the communication > of > >> >> bird sightings in the last five years can hardly be overstated. We > >> have a > >> >> primary list-serve at record-setting membership that is supplemented > >> by > >> >> many new members. We have a Maryland Facebook page attracting many > new > >> >> and enthusiastic people. We are also one of the states with the most > >> >> comprehensive eBird buy-in in the country. And eBird, of course, has > >> >> fundamentally changed how we share our sightings, with the various > >> >> hourly "needs" alerts that are so popular certainly factoring in > >> heavily > >> >> in these cases. These are all very good things, and I actively > >> >> support all of them. The wider net is a great thing and is not > >> >> going away. That said, these technological changes certainly have a > >> lot > >> >> to do > >> >> with the increased attention these Long-eared Owls have received. > >> >> Balancing transparency and sensitivity is going to remain a > challenge, > >> >> and self-policing what is shared, when, and how needs to be further > >> >> considered. > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> This list-serve just yesterday amended its guidelines to explicitly > >> >> state that locations for Long-eared Owls are not allowed. I am a > >> >> Maryland eBird reviewer and I personally lean toward hiding all > >> specific > >> >> locations for LEOW there as well. However, I must discus that > opinion > >> >> as part of a team and with input from corporate eBird. This is far > >> from a > >> >> black-and-white issue. The "we can't protect it if we don't know > it's > >> >> there" argument is sound. But how do you balance that with "we know > >> >> we're not protecting them when we're sawing @#$#*% branches off their > >> >> roost trees"? So as a reviewer, I assure you we will revisit this > >> topic. > >> >> In the mean time, remember that eBird is a > >> >> public communication tool like this list-serve. You can make > decisions > >> >> to use the "hide" functionality, to report such species at the county > >> >> level, and so on. More importantly, you can encourage others to do > the > >> >> same. Whatever suggestions you make, please do so politely. There > have > >> >> been some barbs thrown recently that were unwarranted. This > list-serve > >> >> wants productive discussion of such topics, but will cut off any > >> threads > >> >> that turn into flame wars. > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> Our growth as a nature study community only matters if we find ways > to > >> >> harness it for good things. Let's find ways to do so. > >> >> > >> >> Bill > >> >> > >> >> Bill Hubick > >> >> Pasadena, Maryland > >> >> bill_...@yahoo.com > >> >> http://www.billhubick.com > >> >> http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com > >> > > >> > > >> > This is truly annoying Bill! However, are you sure it was a > photographer > >> > that did this? It might and does make sense, but pinning that on a > >> > photographer unless knowing this for sure might be jumping the gun a > >> bit. No > >> > matter who the culprit was he or she needs to be educated as to the > >> > sensitivity of this species. > >> > > >> > My concern for your diagnoses is that there is already enough > animosity > >> > between birders and photographers as it is. I say this with concern as > >> I am > >> > both a birder and an avian photographer and I have witnessed rudeness > >> and > >> > bad behavior by both birders and photographers more than I care to > >> admit. > >> > > >> > I remember several occasions last year sitting in my car on a little > but > >> > well known road in western Maryland with a camera and 800mm lens on a > >> bean > >> > bag in my window while a few large groups of birders were stomping > down > >> the > >> > breeding habitat of Golden-winged Warblers. I was so angry you could > >> have > >> > fried an egg with my breath. > >> > > >> > But I will say that I'm sorry that someone wanted a look or a > >> photograph of > >> > this species without any concern for it. There is no excuse for that! > We > >> > needd to better police our fellow birders and photographers. > >> > > >> > JIm > >> > > >> > -- > >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > >> Group > >> > 'Maryland & DC Birding'. > >> > To view group guidelines or change email preferences, visit this group > >> on > >> > the web at http://www.mdbirding.com > >> > Posts can be sent to the group by sending an email to > >> > mdbird...@googlegroups.com > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > > > > > **************************** > > Marshall J. Iliff > > miliff AT aol.com > > West Roxbury, MA > > **************************** > > eBird/AKN Project Leader > > www.ebird.org > > www.avianknowledge.net > > > > Cornell Lab of Ornithology > > Ithaca, NY > > **************************** > > > > > > > > -- > > > > > > **************************** > > Marshall J. Iliff > > miliff AT aol.com > > West Roxbury, MA > > **************************** > > eBird/AKN Project Leader > > www.ebird.org > > www.avianknowledge.net > > Cornell Lab of Ornithology > > Ithaca, NY > > **************************** > > > > -- > > *NYSbirds-L List Info:* > > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> > > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> > > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave< > http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > > *Archives:* > > The Mail Archive< > http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> > > BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> > > *Please submit your observations to **eBird*< > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> > > *!* > > -- > > > > > > -- > Hugh McGuinness > Washington, D.C. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Varied Thrush- Prospect Park > From: Robert Bate <robsb...@gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 09:16:59 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 3 > > Kier Randall just tweeted this confiming a tentative sighting yesterday. > Nethermead bridge spans the creek thru the Ravine on Center Drive. Just > look for the birders! > > @BBCKingsbirds: VARIED THRUSH confirmed per keir. Spot at yew tree north > stairs Nethermead Br > > Rob Bate > Brooklyn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Varied Thrush > From: Robert Bate <robsb...@gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 10:11:07 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 4 > > Refound just south of Neathermead Arch. Next to same area as before > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: VARIED THRUSH in Prospect Park ( Kings) > From: <prosb...@aol.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 10:16:11 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 5 > > > VARIED THRUSH (VATH ) confirmed per Keir Randall. Spot at yew tree north > stairs Nethermead Bridge.I also saw the bird shortly afterward > > > Go to the north path that leads to stairs on the north side of the > Nethermead Three Arches Bridge , where the path curves, behind the fence > in brush, near the Yew Tree, a male adult VARIED THRUSH with other winter > birds feeding on the ground where snow hasn't fully covered. > > > Update: Rob Jett just reported the VATH perched above Nethermead Arches, > at 1005 am. > > > Many thanks to Mark Salvadalena from Washington State for reporting to me > the bird. EXCITING ! (first such bird for Prospect ) > > Peter Dorosh > Brooklyn Bird Club > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Brooklyn Varied Thrush follow-up > From: Rob Jett <citybir...@earthlink.net> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 12:08:50 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 6 > > The Varied Thrush that was first spotted in Prospect Park late yesterday > was relocated this morning. It was subsequently seen by myself and several > other birders throughout the morning. I have created a Google map of the > area where it has been frequenting here: > > http://goo.gl/maps/wFFOd > > The bird, which appears to be an adult male, seems to be restricting its > foraging to a wooded area directly adjacent to the bridge known as "The > Nethermead Arches" along Center Drive. While we did see it once near the > steep ridge on the South side of the bridge, it seems to prefer the wooded > hillside just on the North side. If you are walking through the Ravine > towards the Nethermead Meadow, you will see a flight of stairs on your > right that leads towards Center Drive. At the top of the stairway is a yew > tree. He was observed feeding on the ground below that tree several times. > He also moves a short distance South-West of that spot, but only as far as > the footpath that ascends towards the Fallkill Falls. There are dozens of > robins in the area, but he doesn't seem to really associate with them and > sticks to feeding within the edges of the woods. > > If you come by car, probably the most direct route is to park near > Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street. Walk straight in at 16th and to > Center Drive. Continue walking until you reach the bridge. > > Good birding, > > Rob > > http://citybirder.blogspot.com > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Varied Thrush - Prospect Park > From: Robert Bate <robsb...@gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 12:22:56 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 7 > > Photo of Prospect Park Varied Thrush. Better pictures sure to follow. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertbate/8538958861/in/photostream > > Rob Bate Brooklyn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Re: Varied Thrush, Brooklyn > From: Tom Fiore <tom...@earthlink.net> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 12:36:28 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 8 > > Thanks to Rob B, Rob J, Keir R, Peter D and all, a great find for Prospect > Park. > > Should anyone happen to hear this Varied Thrush sing, or vocalize, please > add to your reports (and that could apply to any birds, as some observers > are keenly interested in sound as well as sighting the bird. enjoy, > > Tom Fiore > Manhattan > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Re: Brooklyn Varied Thrush follow-up > From: Juan Salas <js...@nyu.edu> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 14:46:13 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 9 > > I have uploaded three pictures of the Varied thrush taken around noon. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/23604521@N00/ > Thank you to Peter Dorosh for the excellent directions. > Best regards and good birding > Juan Salas > On Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 12:08 PM, Rob Jett <citybir...@earthlink.net> > wrote: > > > The Varied Thrush that was first spotted in Prospect Park late yesterday > > was relocated this morning. It was subsequently seen by myself and > several > > other birders throughout the morning. I have created a Google map of the > > area where it has been frequenting here: > > > > http://goo.gl/maps/wFFOd > > > > The bird, which appears to be an adult male, seems to be restricting its > > foraging to a wooded area directly adjacent to the bridge known as "The > > Nethermead Arches" along Center Drive. While we did see it once near the > > steep ridge on the South side of the bridge, it seems to prefer the > wooded > > hillside just on the North side. If you are walking through the Ravine > > towards the Nethermead Meadow, you will see a flight of stairs on your > > right that leads towards Center Drive. At the top of the stairway is a > yew > > tree. He was observed feeding on the ground below that tree several > times. > > He also moves a short distance South-West of that spot, but only as far > as > > the footpath that ascends towards the Fallkill Falls. There are dozens of > > robins in the area, but he doesn't seem to really associate with them and > > sticks to feeding within the edges of the woods. > > > > If you come by car, probably the most direct route is to park near > > Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street. Walk straight in at 16th and to > > Center Drive. Continue walking until you reach the bridge. > > > > Good birding, > > > > Rob > > > > http://citybirder.blogspot.com > > > > > > -- > > > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME< > http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> > > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES< > http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> > > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm< > http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > > > > ARCHIVES: > > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > > 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > > > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > > > -- > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Varied Thrush - Prospect Park, Bklyn. > From: Elizabeth D Poole <acupres...@aol.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 15:49:14 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 10 > > The adult Varied Thrush was seen again by four observers in the vicinity > of the Yew tree near the Nethermead Arches from about 2:10 - 2:15 this > afternoon. At about that time, the bird flushed to cover and most of the > ground foraging birds in the area went quiet. A Red-Tailed Hawk perched > nearby was the probable cause. The bird did not reappear in the following > half hour. > > Bob Gochfeld > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Photos of Varied Thrush > From: Juan Salas <js...@nyu.edu> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 16:09:13 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 11 > > Sorry for the cross-posting. I have uploaded three photos of the Varied > thrush taken near the yew tree off the path west of the Nethermead Bridge > at noon today, unfortunately no vocalizations heard. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/23604521@N00/ > Good brding. > Juan Salas > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: Spring Shorebird Migration Volunteers Needed > From: "Dikun, Kerri" <kdi...@audubon.org> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 21:16:18 +0000 > X-Message-Number: 12 > > Audubon New York is seeking volunteers to conduct International Shorebird > Surveys during spring migration on Long Island. We are looking for data > from the following sites: > > 1 - Cupsogue Beach County Park > 2 - Pike's Beach > 3 - Dune Road Marshes > 4 - Shinnecock Inlet > 5 - Mecox Inlet > 6 - Sagaponack Pond > > Survey dates are as follows: > > April 5th, 15th, 25th > May 5th, 15th, 25th, > June 5th, 15th > > If you are able to cover one site for all of the survey dates that would > be most helpful to us, however, if you can't commit to all the surveys we > would welcome any reports that you can supply. Splitting survey dates among > various birders is also welcome. > > Data forms and survey protocol can be downloaded at > http://www.goodeggnjny.org/education-and-outreach/. Please read through > protocol and data sheet carefully before performing surveys. > > If you are interested in participating or have any questions please > contact Kerri Dikun at kdi...@audubon.org<mailto:kdi...@audubon.org>. > > Thanks! > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: BirdCallsRadio Update! > From: Mardi Dickinson <mard...@gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 17:38:43 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 13 > > > Birders et al, > There have been some changes and developments at BirdCallsRadio. > http://birdcallsradio.com/2013/03/07/birdcallsradio-update/ > > Cheers, > Mardi Dickinson > Norwalk, CT > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Subject: NYC Area RBA: 8 March 2013 > From: Ben Cacace <bcac...@gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 20:43:24 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 14 > > - RBA > * New York > * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County > * Mar. 8, 2013 > * NYNY1303.08 > > - Birds mentioned > > PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+ (Orange County, New York) > GYRFALCON+ > COMMON MURRE+ > VARIED THRUSH+ > (+ Details requested by NYSARC) > > Greater White-fronted Goose > ROSS'S GOOSE > Cackling Goose > EURASIAN WIGEON > TUFTED DUCK > BARROW'S GOLDENEYE > Red-necked Grebe > Northern Gannet > Piping Plover > BLACK-HEADED GULL > Iceland Gull > Lesser Black-backed Gull > Razorbill > White-winged Crossbill > Pine Siskin > > - Transcript > > If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report > electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at > http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm > > You can also send reports and digital image files via email to > nysa...@nybirds.org. > > If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or > sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: > > Gary Chapin - Secretary > NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) > 486 High Street > Victor, NY 14564 > > Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert > Number: (212) 979-3070 > > To report sightings call: > Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays, during the day) > Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 (Long Island) > > Compiler: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro > Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County > > Transcriber: Ben Cacace > > BEGIN TAPE > > Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 8th 2013 > at 7pm. The highlights of today's tape are VARIED THRUSH, GYRFALCON, > PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, ROSS'S GOOSE, TUFTED DUCK, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, EURASIAN > WIGEON, BLACK-HEADED GULL and pelagic trip results including COMMON MURRE. > > On Thursday a male VARIED THRUSH was found in Prospect Park and was still > present there today. The thrush has been near the Nethermead's Three Arches > Bridge in the center of the park mostly along the wooded slope on the north > side of the bridge especially on some snow free ground near a Yew Tree. > Hopefully it will be relocated there tomorrow. > > The subadult gray morph GYRFALCON seen nicely last weekend and again Monday > with a report also on Tuesday along the marshes north of Gilgo has > unfortunately not been noted since. Negative news previously though had not > signaled its departure as it did reappear so it may not be gone yet. The > GYRFALCON has favored the marshy islands just north of the Gilgo parking > lot often sitting on the Osprey platform slightly to the northwest but it > has also ranged east as far as Cedar Beach Marina as well as west of that > location. Most frequently though it has been spotted from the Gilgo parking > lot. > > A pelagic trip last Saturday from Freeport aboard the Captain Lou Fleet's > Star Stream VIII got out about 40 miles and recorded 150 NORTHERN GANNETS, > 36 COMMON MURRES, 18 RAZORBILLS, 13 large alcids, 3 ICELAND GULLS and 4 > LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. > > Some of the more unusual waterfowl do continue in the area. The drake > TUFTED DUCK was still at Heckscher Park in Huntington to Wednesday this > park off Route 25A and Park Avenue and the second drake continued at > Blydenburgh Park south of Route 25 in Smithtown at least to Sunday. A > female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was still with Commons in Fire Island Inlet off > Cedar Beach as of Monday and another female was spotted off the north shore > of Long Island at Caumsett State Park last Saturday. The Riverhead area's > ROSS'S GOOSE was seen again on Merritt's Pond in Riverhead last Sunday this > an overnight roosting area and then on Wednesday it was picked up feeding > with Canadas north of Sound Avenue near the end of Route 105. A CACKLING > GOOSE was also at the latter site Sunday with a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE > also there Wednesday. Seven EURASIAN WIGEONS were counted Saturday on the > pond at the West Sayville Golf Club just south of Montauk Highway at Route > 27A these including 3 females. Up in Orange County the PINK-FOOTED GOOSE > was last noted Sunday at the Camel Farm just west of Route 12 where a > ROSS'S GOOSE was found Thursday. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED and CACKLING GEESE > were also in that area on Sunday. > > Two BLACK-HEADED GULLS remain in the Montauk area but the immature seen at > Ditch Plains and the adult at the south end of Lake Montauk off South Lake > Drive both last Sunday. An ICELAND GULL was spotted again last Saturday on > the Central Park reservoir with another still at Iron Pier in Northville on > Sunday. A lingering RED-NECKED GREBE was still around the Captree State > Park boat basin Monday and an arriving PIPING PLOVER was back at Point > Lookout last Sunday. Some returning PINE SISKINS appeared in Prospect Park > yesterday and some WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS are still in the area. > > To phone in reports on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126, or > during the day except Sunday call Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. > > This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the > National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling. > > - End transcript > > > > --- > > END OF DIGEST > > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
