Scott, and others on the list--
        Thanks for joining the conversation. My questions mostly concerned
discussions, where a number of people offer opinions and information and
listen to one another, around an interesting topic related to Ohio's
birdlife. Your observations are mostly about why or why not list members
do or don't post bird observations, which is also such an interesting
topic.
        Seems to me sightings are the life-blood of the list, but sightings
don't have to be simple recitals of species seen and where.
I find those mostly dull reading. I am interested in the uncommon, in
hearing about an unusual occurrence of a species, out of range or off
schedule or in a strange habitat. I am also just as interested in other
rare things, like hearing from people who carefully observe even the
common species, and describe the uncommon behaviors they may see; this
kind of phenomenon is always available to curious and articulate
observers. Margaret Morse Nice lived about a mile from here, and her
studies of ordinary song sparrows in her Columbus back yard became
classics of the ornithological literature. I can imagine you might be
able to interest us with your observations of turkey vulture nestlings;
or you could just tell others how to find them so they might do so
themselves. I have never been lucky enough (yeah, I know the adults will
puke on you if they get a chance) to carefully observe nesting TVs.
        One thing about believability is that no one has a monopoly on it.
Sure, the credibility of reports narrows down on the strange end, but a
scissor-tailed flycatcher in Ohio probably wouldn't be pooh-poohed
these days...well, maybe in January. Someone who's a beginner and whose
name few people in the birding community know should be prepared to
describe a strange bird accurately and completely; most of the time
it'll be something unsurprising, but maybe not, and readers have to have
something much more solid than a guessed-at species name to go on. Best
not to leaf frantically through the old field guide, but say "a grey
bird with peachy color underneath and extremely long black-and-white
tail streamers hunting bugs over a field." Rather than seize upon a
name, look carefully, and describe fully what you saw. Read some Emily
Dickinson lines about birds.
        And you're also right to imply that folks who have negative comments to
make about others' reports ought to imagine themselves in the reporter's
place first. Many beginners experience a sense of wonder at seeing new
things that may seem old hat to jaded observers. Many times the wonder
disappears too quickly, and nothing is left but a hastily-chosen mistake
about specific identity; that's a shame.
        Scott, I would very much like to have a copy of the Smith observations.
People who took the time to record their bird observations, especially
long ago, deserve to have their contribution to history recognized. As
for eagles and ospreys at Tappan Lake, it's big, but I bet there'll
eventually be a showdown!
Bill W

Scott Pendleton wrote:
> Bill: As a person who is relatively new to birding, I am going to respond
> to the forum question from that point of view. I would sum it up in four
> or perhaps five factors: the list, significance, believability, the
> stupidity factor, and the nature of birders.
>
> The List: I have been on it for 1-2 years and it has always appeared to be
> a way to report sightings, therefore, that is what most people do. I agree
> it does not have to be this way and the other factors play into this.
>
> Significance- Is what one has to say or report significant? For example, I
> have the good fortune to be watching 5 turkey vulture nests. I enjoy the
> white powder puffs and have thought of posting a summary of nest locations
> so that others might have better luck locating one. Is this worth doing? I
> have not posted therefore I apparently lean towards the insignificant view.
>
> Believable? I have found birders to be a somewhat skeptical bunch. How
> many read "5 vulture nests" and thought, "He is exaggerating." This
> perhaps comes into play more with sightings. My first "rare" bird was a
> scissor tail flycatcher. I excitedly called my bird friends and was met
> with enthusiastic, "No way, not possible!" I knew what I saw but was not
> confirmed until the next Brooks Bird Club newsletter had a photo of one
> seen 4 days later 35 miles to the east. Take my six friends and add a
> whole list of experienced birders and it becomes rather daunting.
>
> Stupidity: No one likes to appear stupid. I personally do not care (as
> evidence I present this post) but many do. One example that I can recall
> is an individual posted a photo he thought may be a rail. One of the
> responses was, "I don't now how to break this to you but that bird is a
> green heron." I do not know if he ever posted again but a more useful
> response would have been, " The bird is a green heron because...."
>
> The nature of birders: The only time I count birds is for CBC and OBBAII,
> otherwise I observe their behavior as well as look for plants, lichens,
> etc. From what I can see from the boondocks, many birders are listers and
> this may play into why there is so little discussion.
> > Two final comments: We do have a bird journal kept by a Smith that lived
> on Tappan before it was a lake it runs from 1910-1920. You have expressed
> interest in historical records in the past and I will look up species or
> copy it for you if you would like.
> The osprey on Tappan do nest on a tower, they have avoided the platform
> that was built to keep them off the tower. The eagle nest is less than one
> mile form the osprey nest. I have never noticed any altercation between
> the two, perhaps there is enough carp to go around!
>
> Scott Pendleton

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