>
>Incidently, why do you feel there is a need for mainstream birders to
>participate in ornithology. Would it not better to get a core group of 20
>really motivated people, rather than 200 casual observers. Discuss.....
>

Let's say I go out and casually see a Ross' Gull. I tell somebody who cares
that I saw a Ross' Gull. That sighting is confirmed by some other casual
birders and is casually mentioned in periodical that publishes the casual
observations of casual birders.

I have for good or ill created a data point. I have committed science.
I have contributed to the ornithological data base. 200 casual observers
filtered through a peer review process can contribute more efficiently
to our knowledge of bird behavior, distribution, migration patterning then
most casual observers may realize.

When you report your observations to somebody, you're being an ornithologist.

--
******************************** You fellows keep pitching conspiracy, but
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * tell us this: if the cops were such bumblers
* mpatters at ednet1.osl.or.gov * how could they have framed your client
******************************** - unnamed OJ jurist