Species oriented birding is more fun. It's as simple as that.

As far as the CBC is concerned, firstly I'm impressed that a country,
no continent, the size of the US can get something organised on this
scale - same goes for breeding bird survey as well.


One of the main problems in any survey work is motivating the
"workforce". Survey fatique can be quite common. The British Trust
for Ornithology and other conservation/scientific organisations rely
heavily and sometimes exclusively on amateur input. 3 year atlas
projects are always a success in the first year, the second year is
consolidation and the 3 year is spent trying to get people back out
in the field - slight exaggeration.

The species angle is definitely an attraction - nobody want to spend
an entire day counting Robins and Song Sparrows, then again ;-).
Birding has increased enormously, and I think the species thing is
simply a reflection of the style of birding of the majority. The
'original' dedicated amateur, recording birds in their local area
still exists, but is much harder to see amongst the throng - a
blatant generalisation. Birders are very motivated people - to
maintain the success of the CBC and BBS the 'good' reasons why the
survey is taking place - population monitoring/conservation, should
be encouraged, while still making the whole exercise fun.

The danger in the present situation is that totally species oriented
birding becomes the exclusive role for new birders. The more
"scientific" side of birding gets forgotten and the excellent work
done in building these national surveys starts to fall apart.

To end with a question - are there still the same number of birders
starting out as kids, as say, 10 years ago ?

Stuart

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Stuart MacKay McCaw Cellular Communications
Consultant Developer The Plaza at Yarrow Bay
Axys V3 10230 NE Points Drive

ph. (206) 803-4909 Kirkland, WA

fax (206) 803-7405 98033

stuart.mackay at mccaw.com
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