[obol] Birds in Winston

[Mike Patterson]

The Great Backyard bird count is an annual event sponsored by
Cornell Ornithology Lab and National Audubon.  See:
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

Every year (and I've been participating since the beginning) a
small sub-group of participants submit stuff that's clearly 
been misidentified.  I do not believe they are fabricators,
more probably they are persons of limited experience.

Unfortunately, there is no mechanism for correcting errors that
can lead to a positive, educational outcome for those learning
to identify birds.  If the species in question is below some
minimum threshhold for flagging it's put on the list.  

The 9 CINNAMON TEAL I reported from Svensen got flagged and are 
not on the list, even though there are at least 9 there.  There
is a flag that requires me to confirm that I didn't err in
the data entry process and then somebody at BIRDSOURCE has to
check a box to let the data in.

On the other hand, there is a CALIFORNIA TOWHEE and an
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW on the list for Dallas and a HERMIT 
WARBLER in Salem as of this morning, plus all the good stuff
coming to that feeder in Winston.  Presumably, the flagging 
system has been set at some very low number other than 0 or the 
flagging system doesn't distinguish between different eco-zones 
in Oregon (California Towhee would be okay in Medford, but not
Dallas; American Tree Sparrow in Pendleton, but not Dallas). 

Of course ther really could be a Hermit Warbler in Salem and
a (single) Costa's in Winston, but we have no mechanism for 
following up on any of these rare species.  But sometimes, if
we complain loudly enough, somebody from the GBBC hears our
whining and fixes things....

Norgren Family wrote:
> 
>       It could be some feeders have
> a superior menu.   Lars Norgren
> On Feb 16, 2007, at 11:02 PM, Jerry Casebollt wrote:
> 
> > I think that Mike  or someone is getting in practice for April 1
> > Gerald > (Jerrry)
> > Casebolt_______________________________________________



-- 
Mike Patterson               
Astoria, OR                    
celata at pacifier.com  
 
I'm not jealous or 
Why I've never Seen Black-throated Blue Warbler in Oregon
http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/004174.html