Hello all,
I appreciate it has been a week since the discussion
regarding eBird, but in my response I had to make
some assumptions about data security for which here
Marshall has offered up some specifics, while further
offering an 'official' opinion, if you will, as one of the
three project leaders.In so doing, he kindly offers a
a direct line to eBird for your questions/concerns.



From: Marshall Iliff <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 3:18:49 PM
-------------------------

Ohio birders,

I saw the discussion on the Ohio listserv and Vic Fazio graciously has
forwarded this note on my behalf. Forgive me for sending this a few days
after the discussion has shifted gears.

I should say at the outset, that I am one of the three eBird Project
Leaders, so I work professionally for the eBird project. But I do so because
I believe in the project and its goals and because I want to strive to make
it the best it can be. I write now as a birder who passionately uses and
understands eBird, but cannot deny that I have a vested interest in the
program.

The recent discussion has been great, with many posters pointing out both
the pros and cons of eBird. Posts by Vic and David Slager in particular have
been very detailed and well-informed, and Alan Chartier and Bill Whan have
provided some important contrary views. However, I'd like to clear up some
misconceptions and expand on a few topics.

1)    Data security - Concerns were raised about Cornell's backup system. We
have a rigorous backup that nightly copies the eBird database on multiple
disks both onsite at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and offsite on the
Cornell campus. The data are also copied to the Avian Knowledge Network
nightly, where anyone (scientists, but also birders) can download the entire
dataset). Also, quarterly backups of the entire database are made and then
stored in secure, fireproof areas. Our database technicians go through
multiple trial runs per year, whereby they simulate a massive failure or
catastrophe and rebuild the database from the backup tapes. In short, we are
very very careful with the data and employ the highest level of backup to
ensure that your records are safe and that the data are secure for anyone
who needs it.

2)    Excel backup - Anyone using eBird should be aware of the "Download My
Data" feature (at "My eBird"). It is possible at any point to download your
entire dataset, with every field you entered, into an excel document. This
can be saved on your home computer for added security. I do this once a
month and find it useful to access my data in this way.

3)    Value of listserv postings - We at eBird would never say listserv
postings are useless.  All of
us at eBird also participate in our local listservs--it is a great way to
communicate about birds, interesting sightings, discuss patterns, interact
with birders of all skill levels, and to build a local birding community.
However, I think the point is that listservs make for a poor database; for
permanent archival of bird sightings, eBird provides the data organization
to make the data searchable and queryable, easily accessed and easily used,
and permanently backed up.

Consider just the issue of bird names. Bird names in listserv posts are not
controlled, so to search for "Yellow Warbler" one would have to search for
"Yellow Warbler", as well as the formulations like two Black-and-whites and
a "Yellow", and even the occasional "Yelow Warber". eBird provides the
standardization necessary in bird names, dates, locations, counties, etc.
and thus makes the data more easily used.

4)    Elayna M. Grody pointed out a real-life management concern and how the
listserv has helped (i.e., to know about nesting Sedge Wrens and adjust
mowing accordingly). This is great and an ideal use of publicly posting bird
sightings. However, the same information can be gleaned from eBird and in
the future, this could be streamlined.

We at eBird are working on more and better ways to "push" data out. The
beginning of this are our "ABA Alerts" which you can read about here:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/subscribe-to-ebird-alerts. We hope to
expand this to state "needs", county "needs", and even individual species
alerts. Once this is implemented, Elayna could sign up for alerts for Sedge
Wren, Henslow's Sparrow, or other species that might have management
implications. eBird would then send an email anytime that species is
reported within her area - if any sightings come in from within her
management sphere, she could react.

We also have a location gadget available now, that landowners, refuges etc.
can place on their webpage. For example, check out this link for Santa Ana
NWR http://www.friendsofsouthtexasrefuges.org/default.asp?id=296. I can
provide details on how to get a Google Gadget for a location of interest and
how to set it up for your favorite park, refuge, or hotspot to see what
eBirders are reporting there. Some unusual birds for your local patch might
not be interesting enough to report to this listserv, but this gadget would
be a way for you to spot them and follow-up on them, if you really care
about your local patch or have a management interest in what birds are
around.

If you have not used eBird, I urge you to get an account and try entering
three lists. Signing up is free and setting up an account takes only a
minute. If you never come back to it, that is OK. To enter your lists go to
"Submit Observations" and pick or plot a location from a map. Then go to "My
eBird" and see the listing summaries that eBird provides. Then try this: Go
to "View and Explore Data," click
make a bar chart for Ohio (or your home county), and then click on a species
you had reported. A point map for Ohio will appear with all eBird reports
plotted. If you click on the stickpin you submitted from, you will see your
record right there.

Every contribution helps and the eBird summaries are only as good as the
data coming in. There are many areas of the country with passionate eBird
users, and these people are quickly building a powerful baseline dataset
that will be useful.

If you have any comments at all about eBird, pro or con, feel free to get in
touch with me directly (mji26 AT cornell.edu) or send an email to the three
of us that manage the eBird project (ebird AT cornell.edu). We read every
email and are very grateful for any feedback we receive.

Best,

Marshall Iliff

PS -  Those who may not participate may wish to take advantage of the
information resource that is eBird. Try going to eBird's "View and Explore"
data page next time you have a question about bird occurrence locally. It
may help answer your question, or not, depending on who is entering data and
how much.

------------------------------
Marshall J. Iliff
miliff AT aol.com
West Roxbury, MA
------------------------------
eBird/AKN Project Leader
www.ebird.org
www.avianknowledge.net
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Ithaca, NY
------------------------------

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