Learning new acronyms a pain in the TUSH?
Part of the attraction of birding is in the constant learning. Plus, it's
one area where a total novice can see something an experienced hand hasn't.
But I for one am fine observing Mary Klein's convention about writing out
the name of the bird completely and then making subsequent references by
acronym, so the acronyms are taught and not just thrown around.
It's a rule in journalism, intended for clarity accuracy. For example,
writing for the Herald here in the Bellingham area, where "everyone knows"
what you mean by WWU, before using the initials in stories the writer first
has to write out the entire name - Princeton on the Nooksack - and then
follow it with (WWU). So be COOL.