There is a saying: You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.



I was a tad bit dismayed to discover that there was only ONE documented
eBird report for the Ocean Shores STP King (Queen) Eider when I went to
enter in my observations today. Judging by the postings on Tweeters, this
bird has been regularly followed for weeks. Some of you undoubtedly ticked
it off as a lifer.



So, how would you feel if that area was slated for condos next year? Could
you mount a defense for protecting it? Well, maybe the Ocean Shores STP is
not the best case to present, but one of your favorite local birding
locations could possibly be targeted.



Ebird allows us, the birding community, to document our observations. Over
time, similar, but much deeper and better detailed than the Christmas Bird
Counts that many of us participate in, trends develop. The individual
observations become a collective group, a history, and a much more powerful
defense. The credibility of the individual fades and is no longer on trial
with the mass of data from numerous sources.



So, a plea to get an eBird account, and to submit data. It's almost as good
as a tax deduction, or a donation to your favorite conservation group,
because it quietly helps add to the data base for the future. And it is
painless.



Not that I believe that eBird is perfect (I don't - there are species that
have information provided to the public that I don't believe the public
should have), but it does that vital function of DOCUMENTATION. As most of
us with life experiences know, without documentation, it doesn't matter.
Your individual life lists and records won't be worth a tinker's dam to
anyone but you if they are not put to use in some forum. I encourage you to
use eBird. eBird is making great progress in making a program that is easy
to enter data into and user friendly. I have hopes that eventually there
will be an easy reconciliation menu that will allow users of Birder's Diary,
Avis Systems or other birding programs to easily add their historic data to
the pot.



Here is the link: http:// www. <http://www.ebird.org> ebird.org



Enough.



J. Acker

Bainbridge Island, WA

<mailto:Owler at sounddsl.com> Owler at sounddsl.com



A voice unspoken (or unwritten) is a voice unheard.

Be heard!