The real problem with reporting on this list is really a matter of style and not content in my opinion. Some people use this list to report information on common, resident or migrant birds and others use this list to report regional rarities and rare migrants. So if you are only looking to see reports of "rare" birds, then reading about another Coopers Hawk in a yard and a common local breeder like a Hummingbird is a waste of their time. The reporting of common birds in their proper habitat at the right time of year is mundane and boring to some and not necessary to read about or take the time to delete in an email. While I do not personally see the point in reporting the obvious, this list does allow for reporting whatever one wants to about birds in NY, however common and mundane they may be. While some might enjoy reading about a sighting of an extremely common winter visitor, others may find it annoying to have their inbox inundated with emails that state the birding obvious. And the propblem with just removing yourself from the listserve is that you may miss an email of a rare or difficult to find bird. So I think that the only solution to these recurring problems is for all 700 or so people involved in this list to only report "rare" birds on another list such as metro birds and to not use NYSBIRDS at all. Let NYSBIRDS be a list to report common birds and interesting bird stories and then another list should be formed that all must agree to use to report rare birds throughout the state and not just in region 10. I would be more than happy to start the list but it will only be successful if all involved agree to use it. I think that is really the only answer to this problem and should put an end to all of the name calling and finger pointing and importance of where someone lives. Actually I am shocked that there is not one resource to report rare birds throughout the state and not just locally. I mean I want to know if there is a chaseable Sabines Gull in Niagra, or an easy to see Spruce Grouse or a Western Meadowlark in western NY and I could really care less about reading about a nesting hummingbird (unless it is not a Ruby throated) or a Coopers Hawk at a feeder (even my own). When ebirds nyc was first started it was only for local "rare" birds but after the list owner had to give it up due to time restrictions, it changed into something that I really can not even stomach to read. I just take it as one report after another of the obvious, but again, I keep my membership to the list becasue I may miss some actual intersting information on a rare bird if I just delete all emails from that list. I personally feel the same about NYSBIRDS as well. I find most of the reports to be statements of the obvious if you have any clue as to what birds should be in suitable habitat at the right time of year. If everyone would like to join this new list to report only rarities throughout the state, please respond to me personally and I would be more than happy to start the list. But if all involved are not willing to cooperate with eachother, then all of our emails will be inundated with petty arguements that do nothing to help any of us see some birds. Otherwise, we have to continue to have this same sort of arguement (which I have been a part of in the past) with no real answer because of a difference in styles. SO what do you say, lets make one resource that all in the state can use to report only "rare" birds to. Anyone who reports otherwise will be kicked off the list immediately so the list will keep its integrity and purpose. Again, while some may say just hit delete and what is the big deal, I completely disagree. If I get 10-20 emails a day (more in spring) that I need to delete, I consider that a major waste of my time. I work 2 jobs, I have 2 kids and spend much of my free time renovating my house or with my family or sleeping. Hitting delete 20 times a day is a waste of my time and I know many others that feel the same. Thoughts.... -Isaac
Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:51:24 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [nysbirds-l] the bottom line.... the bottom line is that the original post was inappropriate and flat out incorrect. the list rules allow such posts. i will not respond to the comments from the "dissenter", i, and appararently many others, i am told, take it from where it comes. JPA John Askildsen Millbrook, New York -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
