Andy rightly notes that the data set in eBird is heavily
  skewed by the uneven distribution in checklist
  submission. Popular birding sites and times of the
  year will continue to skew data until such time as
  enough observers are entering data on a regular
  say weekly) basis.

  Also, eBird, especially as pertains to Ohio is very much
  at the outset of its evolution as a data source. Little use
  was seen in Ohio prior to the release of eBird 2.0 in
  Jul/Sept. 2005, and the first implementation of custom
  checklist filters in Feb 2006. Monthly additions to the
  feature set have helped, especially the move to Google
  Maps last Nov. So if you have not looked at eBird in
  the past few months, you may wish to do so again.

  http://ebird.org/

  With regard to Great Egret records, of the 900
  presently in eBird for Ohio dating from 1924 through Dec 06,
  the distribution follows ...

  510 (2006), 110 (2005), 130 (2004), 85 (2003), and the remainder
  earlier.

  Perhaps if we can double (triple?) last year's numbers, a more
  representative distribution of the Great Egret across Ohio
  could be achieved.

  Oh ... and a quick thank you for those of you making an effort
  to submit historical data. It was a treat the other day to come
  across a May 1947 Bewick's Wren from Oberlin. Something
  Peggy Schaeffer entered from her father's notebook.

  cheers

  Vic Fazio
  Shaker Heights, OH


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