Looking for a place to initiate discussion or share something random yet compelling related to birds, birding, nature, or conservation? You’ve found it. Welcome to our Weekly Wednesday Open Thread!
Don’t be too rude, crude, or commercial. Otherwise, have at it! Use the comments section to tell everyone what’s on your mind today.
I’ll start the proceedings, but feel free to take the conversation in a different direction:
In a weekend post about blogging success being driven by offline interactions, Jory left an interesting comment with powerful ramifications. What would happen if birders generally accepted the rule that birds don’t count if you only see them alone?
Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but he's also a traveler who fully expects to see every bird in the world. Besides founding 10,000 Birds in 2003, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining but now extirpated nature blog resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network and I and the Bird.
Then I wouldn’t participate in “competitive birding” as solitude in nature is what powers this birding machine of mine.
It would mean that fewer birds would be reported as fewer sites would be covered and thus fewer data would be collected for scientific projects like eBird. From a scientific point of view, it doesn’t matter if a bird is seen by 1 or 100 observers so long as the record is credible. It is always more beneficial to the collection of data to spread out over larger expanses than to concentrate at one spot. The same is true for birders as well: more rare birds are found if people go birding alone in different areas and then spread the word of rarities so other birders can follow up later.
Interesting thought and very relative to my current concern and quandary. There are many nature preserves, parks and even forests nearby, which are excellent places to go birding. I have the time to go alone during the week, but am very concerned about safety. Part of me feels I should just go and not be so concerned, the practical side says to not go alone. I joined the Cincinnati Bird Club last November, but haven’t yet made any “birding friends”to go birding with during the week. The club has weekend outings, but I’d like to get out more. Any other women share this same concern?
As for the bird not “counting” unless you see it alone, that’s like saying birds are invisible unless you are one with them.
Hmmm…is it alone if you get a good picture to share?
We had a black stork land in our garden to catch a frog. Rare bird. Rare event. We have a photo. But how much greater the experience because we BOTH saw it. Without a picture, and alone, that black stork is just, the heron that flew away. I DID see it, but how can I possible prove it?? http://elephantseyegarden.blogspot.com/2009/06/stork-in-garden-this-one-is-for-you.html
@BirdWithMe: I’d bird with you if I were in Cincinnati! As a woman I’ve occasionally wondered whether it’s wise for me to go out alone. But most of the birding sites where I live north of NYC are well-traversed and in safe areas.
The only time I really wondered whether I was crossing the line between bravery and stupidity was venturing to Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts on a cold December weekday … I literally didn’t see anyone until I was heading home, and it occurred to me that if I slipped on the ice and fell, I might not be found for days.
Then again as a runner who favors early morning workouts (often predawn), I probably cross that line all the time. 😛