Subject: Re: What are the objectives of an RBA?
Date: Jan 23 19:27:11 1998
From: Deb Beutler - dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu



>What are the goals of an RBA?
I agree with Kas on this one. It is to alert local birders and
other to rare and unusual birds seen recently. It can also track the
arrival of spring migrants. I think RBA should also notify the birding
community when a rarity leaves town. When the Siberian Accentor finally bid
good-bye to Hailey, Idaho, Chuck Trost and Ray Clark let us Know it hadn't
been relocated in several days.

>If you phone an RBA (local or out-of-town), how detailed do you want the
>directions to a location to be?

Very detailed if the location isn't a well Known, often cited location. I
take the report with me when I am chasing a bird listed on the rba. Usually
I print the transcripts that appear on my email and take it with me. A
fellow bird makes a recording of it so he can follow the directions while
driving. I usually have a birding partner who can read the directions to me.

>If you are going to visit an out-of-town area to bird, do you mind making a
>few long distance calls to get directions and local knowledge?

Yes. I hate to bother people to find out directions. I prefer to get my
information from the RBA directly. I hat to bother people at home or at
work with my silly questions.

>Should the RBA operator proactively phone birders for unreported sightings?

Yes. But not incessantly. If a person didn't report any sightings, she may
not have gone birding that week.

>What do you want to see in an RBA transcript posted on the Internet?

Absolutely. Not only do I print them and take them with me but I archive
certain RBA's such as South Idaho RBA and the North Idaho, Southern Oregon,
eastern Washington RBA. That way I can check the old reports to find out
what was around at various times of the year and I may use them later to
determine the distribution of rare birds in Idaho.


>What would you describe as an acceptable minimum level of service?

Updated once a week, good directions to most places, etc. I really can't
say what I would consider a acceptable minimum level. If you want to hear
an unacceptable minimum level of service, call the southwestern Idaho RBA.
No details at all.

>What is the RBA operator's role in screening/accepting reported rarities?

Minimal. I don't necessarily think it is role of the RBA operator to screen
the reports. I can understand if the operator deletes an obvious
misidentification or a bird that isn't rare (a report about robins in Idaho
in winter could be screened out okay). I think the operator could call the
reporter and ask about the identification of a rare bird but it should be up
to the birder whether to chase the bird or not. If I can't find the bird or
it was the wrong bird, it isn't the RBA operators fault. It would be good
to Know if a bird was not relocated or if a particularly tough birding ID
has been confirmed.


>Should the tape and script report observer's name?

Absolutely. I say this for three reasons. The first reason is the one
other people have cited; I like to be able to judge the probability the of
misidentification by the observer. Most of the birders in the Pacific
Northwest I would trust their judgement and would accept their report.
However, there is a certain birder (who will remain nameless) that I
wouldn't cross the street to see a bird he/she reported. Second, it fun to
see or hear your name associated with a good bird (even if they can't spell
or pronounce it properly). It is a pat on the back. It was especially
important when I had first started birding. It meant I had finally arrived
on the birding scene. Finally, I like to Know what my old friends are up
to. When I read the South Idaho Bird Alert, I can find out what new birds
Chuck Trost, the top-dog in southern Idaho, has found in Idaho. I now Know
I am one more bird behind him in the Idaho race because of the Ross' Gull in
Idaho.

I would like to take time to thank Kas Dumroese and Dale Goble for all the
work they do for the north Idaho RBA and Chuck Trost and Ray Clark for the
South Idaho RBA. It is a tough job, usually a thankless job but I am glad
they do it. And thanks to all of the other compilers and transcribers out
there. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

If you want to sample RBAs from across the country, they are posted on a web
page:

http://www.birdware.com/lists/rba.htm






Deb Beutler
Department of Zoology
P.O. Box 644236
Washington State Univerisity
Pullman, Whitman Co., WA
dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu