Re: [cobirds] Re: Cobirds vs Ebird Reporting

Thanks, David!

I was hoping/waiting for you to weigh in.  I know you are involved in both "worlds", so your input is helpful.

Gary Brower

Englewood, CO

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Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 30, 2015, at 8:19 PM, David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> wrote:

As an avid eBirder and regular CObirds poster, I agree that the two satisfy different needs or purposes, but these overlap between the two outlets, too. I don't principally use either for chasing purposes, as that is a not a main interest for me, thus the immediacy is less a need. But I will note that a CObirds post can be a good deal more informative about the birding experience at a location, and offer much additional info that is lacking in the eBird alerts or even on eBird checklists. It is easier to tell the story of the birding experience via CObirds, or enjoy stories from others, and I like that part. And easier to pose thoughts and delve into interesting questions. So both are good outlets.

The current membership of CObirds is 1,409 people, so it is hard to see that as an insider thing. I think many birders seek out regional lists as a basic sort of info and can fidn CObirds that way, and anyone discovering CFO or DFO could also readily learn about CObirds. 

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 8:05 PM, Steve Stachowiak <waxwing2@q.com> wrote:

Cobirders,

A "Thank You" to the parties that posted the Great-crested Flycatcher sighting to eBird and documenting the record for further discussion.

I am not following the logic to Mark's original post because even if the bird had been posted to CObirds the minute it was seen it would have been simply noted as a Great-crested Flycatcher; a good sighting but not extraordinary nor would it have included a picture.  The posting to eBird documented the sighting with pictures and possibly established the second state record of a rarer species than originally thought when posted.

It should be noted the CObirds and eBird are two entirely different things.  Instead of the idea of one displacing the other it should be viewed as one augmenting the other.  Now birders have a wider array of information to learn about birds and their distribution from two sources.

Thirty years ago that information was only available in a monthly newsletter from the Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO) that arrived a month after the sightings.  Then DFO sponsored a recorded (on tape) bird sighting report that was available 24-7 assuming the administrator had updated the tape (which at times would be updated as many as eight or more times a day during the spring).  What progress!  How quaint!  How dated!  CObirds is an open forum that is used by everyone from beginners to experts and very accessible.  I can now be anywhere in the world and in thirty seconds or so on my phone view everything posted to both CObirds and eBirds allowing me to know more about the current status of birds in the State than was ever possible.

I do not have a problem saying that today's birders are spoiled by an embarrassment of riches.  Embrace them.  Use them.  Share the knowledge.  Enrich the birding experience for everyone.  Show your passion!  Besides, in about five years all this will be obsolete anyways, and I cannot wait for what comes next!

Good Birding,

Steve Stachowiak

Highlands Ranch, CO

On Friday, October 30, 2015 at 12:53:16 PM UTC-6, Mark wrote:

Recently, I have noticed a trend of good to great chaseable birds not being reported to CObirds but instead just added to the eBird checklist. The reason for the email is that yesterday, a Great-crested Flycatcher was reported from the Denver Botanical Gardens at Chatfield around 8:40 a.m. After looking at the photos attached to the checklist, I'm struggling to rule out a Brown-crested Flycatcher. The problem with this kind of reporting is that you're not hearing about the bird until the next day. A few weeks ago, a Tri-colored Heron was reported to CObirds and many people were able to see the bird before it disappeared the following day. I'm not trying to criticize a person's decision of reporting, because it is ultimately their choice. I'm trying to get a better understanding of why this trend is increasing so rapidly?

Mark Chavez
Lakewood-Green Mtn
http://jaeger29.smugmug.com/

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