Hello Tweeters,

Thanks Mary!

When I decided to post to Tweeters I too used the 4-letter acronyms. After
some polite prodding off-list I stopped. The key here is 'polite' and
'off-list'. I was treated respectfully and in private and I appreciated it.
This type of name calling (and wasting list space with it) will get me off
the list much quicker than someone using acronyms.

The truth is there are no 'elitists', only birders. Some superb birders use
acronyms, some do not. If you are a beginner, intermediate, or hobby birder
my recommendation would be to learn everything you can from both groups.

I still use acronyms exclusively to take daily observation notes and feel,
like some, that it is important that birders take the time to learn them.
Some lists use them, science uses them, and if you don't take the time to
learn them eventually you will miss something that you wish you hadn't. It
is not however a prerequisite to being a good birder.

Respectfully
Doug Schonewald
Moses Lake, WA