Well, as an avid "birder" and bird photographer, with 35 years'
experience (ONLY in the "lower 40", and mostly in 4 states), but
barely 500 life birds, I'd have to say that "obsessing" on life lists
is EXTREMELY costly in terms of environmental degradation alone, as
many "super-birders" expend HUGE amounts of fossil fuels to find a
"twitch", often "dipping" in the process; only a few dozen (a hundred
perhaps?) US citizens have surpassed 650 species in North America in
the process, and I'd wager most of them chase every rarity they can
(not even pursuing life lists, but rather regional or state lists).
Ironic, to say the least, since so many of these same people claim to
abhor pollution and other things that adversely impact wildlife and
wildlife habitats, while simultaneously taking every opportunity to
denigrate those who are not so "obsessed" with wildlife as to think
they have "rights"... There was a time when I suppose it might have
been justified - for instance, when it was finally "proven" in the
1960's or 1970's that most North American warblers (and indeed a host
of other unexpected migrants) actually DID pass through California at
some time or other. But, today, with all the self-righteously
expressed anti-pollution hype against those who DON'T participate in
"things environmental", it seems a bit hypocritical of those "some"
to be so obsessively selfish. And, just so no one will flame me since
I HAVE chased a few dozen birds in my life [successful maybe 75% of
the time], my "life list of birds NOT seen" includes dozens that were
within half an hour drive of my home at the time they were present
(some for months), or were seen on pelagic treks I could neither
afford to make, nor thought I'd enjoy due to motion of the waves on
my equilibrium (sea-sickness - even with pills - still is not fun).
Anyway, I am in no way trying to denigrate those who DO chase birds,
and value the information and data they DO generate, but still think
that an awful lot of "waste" is involved. Respectfully, Jim Greaves, Montana

>Subject: [Tweeters] "Life List" / Caryn - Wedgwood
>Hello Tweeters -
>
>If you haven't already heard of or read "Life List" by Olivia Gentile, I
>highly recommend this book. If you're a backyard birder or world traveler,
>this book will satisfy your yearning to do more birding whevever it is.
>
>The story of Phobe Snetsinger's life and obsessive birding (what's that?)
>is just phenomenal to say the least. I only hope they make this into a
>movie. Wouldn't that be fun to film this one?
>
>Please post your comments.
>
>Caryn / Wedgwood Birder