I agree fully with Scott's comments. Over the years, for some reason,
Ohiobirds has hosted this sort of 'humor' more often than other state
lists. My feeling is that it appears in order for an in-group to indulge
in feeling superior to beginners who don't get the joke, and that's
really nothing to be proud of.
Bill Whan
Columbus

On 4/1/2012 10:51 AM, Scott Albaugh wrote:
> Birders,
>
> I woke up this morning and read about this elaborate owl prank. I find it
> rather upsetting. Many folks on the list know these pranks when we see
> them. I'm sure there are others, however, who don't know. I don't think
> it's fair to play such elaborate tricks on our friends in the birding
> community. If the April Fools joke was something goofy it might actually be
> funny, but this was just too much detail...too "believable." I normally
> don't publically post my feelings on this list, but I am rather
> disheartened by this prank.  I feel for anyone who may have gotten excited
> at the chance of seeing this bird. It is my opinion that the birding
> community should be self supportive and self nurturing. Anyone who knows
> me, knows that I like to joke around, but I also believe that there is an
> appropriate limit to jokes. Playing an elaborate prank such as this on
> thousands of people that you don't know crosses the line...in my opinion.
>
> Scott Albaugh
> Knox County
>
> p.s. I just learned that this prank ended up on the PA listserve as well.

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