Piping plovers some decades ago nested in every Ohio county on the Lake 
Erie shore. Eventually we humans put an end to that, and by the '40s 
they had become migrants only, and eventually with fall migrant lows--as 
reported in Peterjohn (2001, pg. 69)--averaging "one sighting every two 
to three years."
        Their prospects have much improved since then, not because they are 
better protected here, but because of Federal endangered species status 
and successful guarding of nest sites farther north. See the Great Lakes 
project information at 
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/pipingplover/piplconservation.html
        We all know that human behavior at the Conneaut Harbor is not governed 
by protective measures, but their brief contact there with our species 
(and our pets) is usually less critical now; migrant plovers are rather 
tolerant of human disturbances. A friend of mine, who worked for the 
Nature Conservancy on Long Island, told me she'd talked with local 
beach-buggy drivers who told her "Oh, if you run over those little bitty 
birds, they just pop up out of the sand after you pass by."
        As for birder--rather than bird--behavior, I see 13 recent Ohio piping 
plover reports on Ohio's eBird "Rare Bird Alert" page. For folks who are 
yearning to add this species to various personal lists, this is a good 
source--mainly because it passes long what eBirders add to their own 
lists, rather than trying to inform others...and it's reviewed. For my 
part, I've seen a lot of piping plovers over the years, and the thought 
of six hours of car travel to see another one at Conneaut doesn't tempt 
me at all.
        As for reports from veterans, there are some at one extreme who
keep sightings to themselves unless they are of genuine interest--a 
piping plover would not qualify, but a Ross's gull would. If one of 
these observers reported a razorbill in Ohio waters, Furthermore, I 
would be more interested in having confirmation of the record rather 
than schlepping up to the Lake to see it. I've seen lots of razorbills 
elsewhere.
        So, if some observers report having seen an 'unusual' species--recent 
examples include piping plovers, willets, various out-of-season 
waterfowl, etc.; these records are certainly of interest, but you have 
to wonder why they might cause stampedes and ill feelings rather than 
valuable but simple additions to the ornithological record.
Bill Whan
Columbus
	

On 8/16/2015 8:10 AM, Jon wrote:
> This is what appeared in my inbox yesterday morning….the day referred
> to in Bob’s email:
>
> "Piping Plover spotted at Sandspit early this morning and now at
> Conneaut Township Beach. 820AM. A variety Peeps along with Pectoral
> Sandpiper and Yellow-leggs are seen as well.
>
>
> Mark Shaver
>
> Geauga County"
>
>
> So, the question is if this is or is not a report on OHIO BIRDS?
>
> Here are some sincere questions that I am interested in knowing:
>
> Does each person who sees the bird (regardless of how they heard
> about it) have a responsibility to report on OHIO BIRDS?
>
> Is it not sufficient to presume that if you do not see a NEGATIVE
> report on OHIO BIRDS that the birds is likely still present?
> Particularly in light of the overall rarity of a species such as a
> PIPL?  I almost always see negative reports when a rare bird takes
> off, which demonstrates that most birders try to help others avoid
> chasing a bird that has departed.  Even in light of a negative
> report, many birders still make an attempt knowing that birds may
> move around and come back to places frequently before actually moving
> on.
>
> Finally, I happen to know some EXCELLENT birders who almost never
> report any sightings on any source and have been birding for many,
> many years.  Are they also part of this “new breed of birder” that is
> being referred to?   Some folks report and some do not.  Some younger
> birders are primarily interested in social media versus an email
> listserv.  It seems to me to be a value judgment that one is better
> than another.
>
> I strive to report my sightings in multiple places, but sometimes I
> am out birding and do not want to stop what I am doing to type out an
> email or social media post on my phone in the field being attacked by
> mosquitoes or in the blazing sun.  Still, I almost always do report
> birds of note, even when I have made an incorrect ID and have to
> retract that.  That last point is also important…many birders are
> afraid to report anything out of fear that their ID is wrong.
>
> I guess I am trying to convey that this is more complex than some
> kind of generational lack of respect for an established process.
>
> Regardless, I respect Bob’s skills as a birder and his willingness to
> speak out on what he values.
>
> Happy birding!
>
> Jon Cefus Cuyahoga Falls
>
> “Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn
> from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent
> disinclination to do so.” -Douglas Adams
>
>> On Aug 15, 2015, at 10:02 PM, robert lane <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Yesterday, the Ohio birding community was made aware of the easily
>> found Piping Plover at The Conneaut Sandspit on OHIO BIRDS. Today,
>> Saturday, numerous individuals were successful in seeing this bird,
>> as could be seen on other social media sites. I have noticed that
>> only one birder posted their conquest on OHIO BIRDS. It disappoints
>> me that OHIO BIRDS is used to gather bird sightings, but very
>> seldom does the new breed of birder give anything back by posting
>> useful information to OHIO BIRDS. If you use the posted
>> information, you should  be responsible enough to contribute in
>> return.
>>
>> Bob Lane / Mahoning County
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________________
>

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.


You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]