Please do not use abbreviations when posting messages to NYSbirds-L unless the definition of the used abbreviation is clearly spelled out prior to its first use in each message (these abbreviations include, but are not limited to, four-letter banding codes and two-letter hawk watching codes, as well as location abbreviations - with the exception of those considered to be common knowledge, i.e., NYC, NY, LI, etc.). I know this is a pain for those who post messages using their smartphones; however, usage of short-hand within messages when posting to NYSbirds-L (and many other electronic forums) becomes ambiguous and confusing for many readers, without prior explanation.
To make this more clear, I will provide hypothetical examples. Do not post a message to this eList in a format as follows: "Today, I saw two BOCHs, three GRAJs, and a couple of RBNU feeding on a dead moose carcass in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks. To top that all off, the BOCHs and GRAJs totally spooked when a pair of GEs began soaring directly overhead. Once the GEs passed, the GRAJs returned for some more frozen fat feasting (and great pictures.links of which I'll post later). We didn't see the RBNUs nor the BOCHs approach the carcass again, but we could hear the BOCHs calling farther away from us." Instead, when posting to this eList, please uses a more courteous and explanatory format like this: "Today, I saw two Boreal Chickadees (BOCHs), three Gray Jays (GRAJs), and a couple of Red-breasted Nuthatches (RBNUs) feeding on a dead moose carcass in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks. To top that all off, the BOCHs and GRAJs totally spooked when a pair of Golden Eagles (GEs) began soaring directly overhead. Once the GEs passed, the GRAJs returned for some more frozen fat feasting (and great pictures.links of which I'll post later). We didn't see the RBNUs nor the BOCHs approach the carcass again, but could hear the BOCHs farther away from us." Otherwise, please do not use abbreviations at all. Email me off-List if you have any questions. Thanks and good birding! Sincerely, Chris T-H -- Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, NYSbirds-L Ithaca, New York [email protected] NYSbirds-L <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html> - Archives NYSbirds-L <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> - Welcome and Basics NYSbirds-L <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> - Rules and Information NYSbirds-L <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> - Subscribe, Configuration and Leave -- 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/ --
