This morning Dave Chase wrote to the listserv with the following message:

> I was at Conneaut Spit this week within a couple hours of Sallys first post.   I attempted many times to post on Ohio-birds from my Android phone. None of my post went thur.  This has been a recurring problem for me.  It might explain why some of us are not posting even though we would like to on Ohio-Birds.   I am posting this on my laptop this morning.  The problem is that it an be several hours later before I have access to my laptop.

A few weeks ago I had just the opposite experience. I could post from my Android phone, but, not from my computer. Very, very frustrating. Someone kindly emailed me with a possible and simple solution. A few years ago the listserv address was changed - every so slightly. But, still it was changed. My computer kept coming up with the old address. I think I have finally gotten rid of that address. I'll certainly know - if this messages goes through or not!!

The correct address is:

[log in to unmask]

So, everyone should double-check the address to which they are sending messages to the Listserv!! OK, that is one issue.

Another issue is people sending sightings to different places - ebird, Facebook, the Listserv. I don't have any easy answers to that situation. But, I certainly agree with Bob Lane in his post of last night!! WE EACH NEED TO GIVE BACK!! Everyone uses one of the above methods to find out about rare birds. Therefore, when a rare bird is spotted, one should try to get the word out ASAP so that others can get there quickly. I can certainly agree with Jon Cefus that one might not want to take a lot of time in the field to post to the Listserv and several social media sights. But, get it posted somewhere! And, then ask if someone will do some cross-posting. Call someone, if that is quicker. I have taken several calls and then posted to the Listserv and the correct FB page(s). But, get the word out!!!! 

This morning in checking the various Facebook groups that I belong to I saw a beautiful photo of a Red Knot taken at Conneaut yesterday. Thank you, Mr. Bruno for posting it. I do not know you and I really have not seen your name before. So, I am just going to say this as an example of what needs to be done, not in anger or in disapproval. While late, I am still glad that you documented the endangered Red Knot in a public way. And, surely, Mr. Bruno was not the only person at Conneaut yesterday that saw that bird. But, there was absolutely no report of that bird anywhere yesterday in a public way that would allow others to get there quickly to see the Red Knot. Why not????? As I have been birding in OH for many years, my first allegiance is to the Listserv. Then, to the various FB groups. I do have my phone set to receive instant messages to the Listserv and to the Ohio Rare Bird FB page. I must admit that I am not very savvy about ebird reports. I don't know just how quickly they always get out to even those people who report to ebird. Another thought is this: can an ebird repot that contains a RARE bird sighting be sent automatically to the LISTSERV?  And if you are out and spot a rare bird and don't have a smart phone, call/ask other birders (if present) to get the word out.

Another issue about posting is maybe folks are worried about making mistakes!!! You know what? We all make mistakes. If not sure of an ID, say that. Ask if anyone can get there to verify your sighting. And, if you make a mistake, just admit it. That is certainly not easy. For example Mr. Cefus made an honest mistake about a Willet at Wilderness Road last week. Then, he admitted so. Not easy! But my respect for him went up because of it!!! 

I hope that my thoughts will help us muddle through this knotty situation. 

Doreene Linzell
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