Subject: Re: What are the objectives of an RBA?
Date: Jan 20 08:59:53 1998
From: "Robert Taylor" - taylorrt at foxinternet.net
In response to:
> From: Kas Dumroese <dumroese at uidaho.edu>
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Re: What are the objectives of an RBA?
> Date: Tuesday, January 20, 1998 12:37 AM
Thanks, Kas, you said it well. Sounds like a practical view of the RBA
intent.
Anyone can see a rare/unusual bird but it 'is' more likely that an
experienced observer will recognize what they have seen and feel
comfortable reporting it. I doubt that I have any reputation in this
geographical area but feel qualified to report some sightings and would
seek support for others. If it is a "good" bird there is usually someone
else around who would want to see it and can act as confirming observer.
In the "Time of Tweeters" it shouldn't be hard to put it on the net, have
someone (or several) dash to see it and confirm or deny the report as soon
as possible.
Salem, Oregon has (had?) a telephone tree of hardcore birders. Whenever
something good was found the notifications started. It didn't take long
for one to tell three, those three each tell three ......... if it became
a stakeout almost everyone could get it. If it wasn't what it was thought
to be or it left the area, it died on the tree (so to speak). No
recriminations ... good birds were savored and mis-IDs tolerated.
It's a tough balance between too much info for a phone call and too little
to find the bird. Tweeters can carry more than the phone by time and
access for some (laptops and links). Maybe to some degree there are
different purposes at work here.
Perhaps RBAs could separate "tentative" and "confirmed" sightings without
hurt to individual finder's feelings regardless of the degree of expertise
on the finder.
Bob
Federal Way, WA
taylorrt at foxinternet.net
----------
> From: Kas Dumroese <dumroese at uidaho.edu>
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Re: What are the objectives of an RBA?
> Date: Tuesday, January 20, 1998 12:37 AM