I started birding and joined the list on almost exactly the same time frame as Troy. I whole-heartedly endorse his remarks, and would like to thank him for having taken the trouble to articulate them so well. I would particularly like to endorse his point #7, appealing for postings from all locations. A visitor from Mars might believe that birds can only be found in a handful of Ohio spots. Although I understand that those most frequently posted about are the most fruitful, lets hear more from those who cant always get to those locations. Stephen On 12/2/06, TEG <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > I was introduced to birding this past spring. > I joined the mailing list about a month ago. > > As a beginner I have observed the following: > > 1. It would be very helpful if specific directions or locations are > included with more of the sightings posted. I know this is mentioned in > the guidelines already, but many posts do not include these details. > Mentioning that the birds were seen "in the usual places" is not only > vague, but it give the beginner the feeling that they are totally out of > the loop. > > 2. I have been pleased with off-list responses to my inquiries about > specific locations. > > 3. I find the clarifications and explanations offered by Kenn Kaufman > and others to be informative and helpful. Some of the information is > over my head, but I am becoming familiar with new terms and concepts. > > 4. Abbreviated bird names are DEFINITELY not helpful to the beginner. > This is also mentioned in the guidelines. > > 5. At first I thought the guidelines about hunting, cats, etc, were > restrictive but upon watching the latest hunting thread develop I now > fully agree with that guideline. (No offense to those who posted in > that thread.) > > 6. It would be nice to discuss how to attract birds, the merits of > feeding, etc, but I feel as others that this would be better done in an > easily searchable message board. > > 7. It is nice to hear about hotspots like Magee Marsh, etc, but I > wonder how many birders are seeing birds on their daily drives and in > out of the way places. The more posts about small wildlife management > areas, parks, cemeteries or inland lakes would be helpful to the > beginner who is not equipped to travel to a hotspot across the state > just yet. > > Thanks to all who have posted. I have enjoyed being a silent observer > and hope to post someday soon. > > Troy Gilmore > > ______________________________________________________________________ > > Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. > Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. > > You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: > http://listserv.muohio.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. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]