[obol] Mapping bird locations

[Bruce]

Or, the one posting could either include a link to the map or request
someone on the list who has a web site for posting such to post the
map and provide a link.

Bruce Craig.

Robinson, Douglas wrote:
> Hi Oboloids,
> 
> Recent postings about how to direct birders efficiently to bird 
> locations caught my eye. We have had this discussion on obol before and 
> have not come to a resolution.
> 
> It is a very accurate observation that quite a few of us do not even 
> know which county a bird location is in.  Oregon is a big state. How 
> many saddle buttes are there anyway? It seems there must be a dozen of 
> them. If one does not know where the posting observer lives, one has 
> little idea which saddle butte is currently hosting the mega-rare 
> yellow-bellied whatzit.
> 
> A strike against the finder of the whatzit trying to lead us to see it 
> for ourselves by attaching a google map is that our listserver does not 
> allow attachments, for obvious reasons. Attachments can contain viruses.
> 
> In addition, attachments can be rather big files at times, and those 
> among us who live on the other side of the other saddle butte and still 
> use dial-up connections become frustrated by trying to download 
> attachments.  So, attaching maps is not currently a viable option.
> 
> I see two alternatives. One is to take the extra step of using mapquest 
> or google earth and getting the exact gps locations then simply typing 
> them into the email with directions.  Folks who still need the whatzit 
> for their list can then go to one of those programs, type in the 
> coordinates, and print their own map.
> 
> Another, and I think more efficient, route is to use the DeLorme atlas 
> and report locations there. We all probably have the big red DeLorme 
> gazetteer of Oregon.  When we find that rare whatzit, why not give 
> directions such as this in our post to obol:
> 
> I saw a yellow-bellied whatzit on the northeast slope of saddle butte in 
> Benton County.  This is on page 47 of DeLorme, section A-4.  >From the 
> intersection of Lonesome Highway and My Way, go north 0.5 miles on My 
> Way to a hedgerow in front of the pink house. The bird was on top of the 
> pink house.
> 
> I think using the DeLorme to direct observers would help us all know 
> fairly exactly how to find birds efficiently.  It would also remind us 
> all, by writing such simple directions, that not everyone in the state 
> knows much about our own particular saddle butte.
> 
> Happy birding
> Doug
> 
> W. Douglas Robinson
> Dept. Fisheries and Wildlife
> 104 Nash Hall
> Oregon State University
> Corvallis, OR 97331
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
> obol mailing list
> obol at lists.oregonstate.edu
> http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol
> 
> To unsubscribe, send a message to:
> obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu.