Hi,

My observation agrees with what Bob pointed out.  Fifteen or more years ago
those interested in birds and birding were often less inclined to the
sport, that was secondary.  Back then you would find good numbers of people
with a broad ranging interest in conservation and environmentalism as
well.  Today birding has become like any other sort of collecting. The
list, the precious photo, are paramount. It is also big business. It often
seems there is a complete disconnect between birding and the larger
environment.  When such a connection is made it seems to be more for social
or selfish reasons than a deep rooted commitment to environmentalism and
therefore superficial.  Lots of talk very little concrete and demonstrable
action.  So it is no wonder people want sighting reports and less talk
about birds and the environment as this may result in uncomfortable
cognitive dissonance.

:-)

Haans

On Wed, Mar 16, 2016 at 2:33 PM, Erik Bruder <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> One thing I frequently hear on the bird walks I lead are newbies who don't
> or won't post due a bad experience on the list. There is a small group of
> people (with no official affiliation to the list) who either enjoy playing
> Stomp the Newbie or feel it their role to criticize the subject, format, or
> grammar of the email via back channel. The more experienced birders suggest
> the newbies ignore the critics and enjoy the hobby and share what they see
> or know but the damage is already done.
>
> If we want better discussion, we need to be more open, not bash people.
>
> BTW - just had Tree Swallows over my office in Olmsted Township.
>
> Erik Bruder
> Bay Village
>
> > On Mar 16, 2016, at 9:32 AM, Bill Whan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > Subject: Evolution of this list
> > Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2016 14:31:29 -0400
> > From: Bill Whan <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Without commenting much about them, I attach an old slice of posts to
> > this list from about 15 years ago. I would be interested to hear what
> > readers--folks who wrote and read during those years, and those who have
> > done so only recently--think about them.  I would be interested what
> > folks think about how posts to ohiobirds have changed since then,
> > perhaps some ideas about why, and if you think the exchange about
> > knowledge and news has changed, and if so how. Read them and see...
> >
> > http://web.archive.org/web/20020627225530/http://aves.net/archives
> > /default.htm
> >
> > Bill Whan
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >
> > 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
> 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]
>

______________________________________________________________________

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]