If birders want a list primarily devoted to rare bird sightings, then
starting a new list seems like a good idea. As already was pointed out,
the NYSBIRDS list information and rules state that the "primary purpose
of the List is to disseminate information about wild bird sightings in
and around New York State in a timely manner and to provide an effective
electronic forum for New York State area birders" along with "questions
and limited discussion on topics such as bird behavior, identification,
conservation, and distribution, especially as these subjects relate to
wild birds in and around New York State ... ." There appears to be no
intention for this list to function just as a rare bird alert, although
rare birds are certainly wild birds and their sightings do get reported
along with those of more common birds.
I personally am interested in what is being seen in other areas, whether
or not rare - particularly during migration it helps me prepare for what
might be headed my way. As someone who is almost entirely a 'patch'
birder and not interested in chasing rare birds, NYSBIRDS is a great
resource. It's easy to imagine, however, how someone who is primarily
interested in rare birds would find it unsatisfactory and would want to
develop a new list - when only a small fraction of emails is of
interest, that must be tedious. I hope those folks are able to put
together something that meets their needs, which NYSBIRDS wasn't really
intended to do.
Alicia
P.S. This has nothing to do with Mr. Grant's message, but if anyone
feels that a post is inappropriate in tone or content, the list rules
also provide that the list owner should be contacted rather than a
message posted to the list as a whole. It's hard to see the
justification for publicly disparaging anyone. The list owner is Chris
Tessaglia-Hymes, and his email address [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>.
On 6/11/2011 6:30 PM, Isaac Grant wrote:
> 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
>
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ARCHIVES:
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2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html
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