Date: 3/21/25 10:27 am From: Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] communication systems
My two cents worth.
I really enjoy NEBirds for the comment on the birding experiences.
We have lost a lot of this with EBird. To make NEBirds better we need to use it more. It sells the sizzle of birding more not just numbers.
Off subject this former NE birder upgraded his wife Shirley’s optics by winning a pair of ZeissTERRA ED 42 at the Tubac Hawk Watch Tuesday. No more of this my binoculars are a piece of crap
Don MaasMesa, AZ and Choctaw, OK
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you are doomed to live under the rules of fools. Plato“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality.”
Don & Shirley MaasThe Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, 9:10 AM, Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> wrote:
Well said, Paul.
I don't mean to encourage people to use other channels instead of NEBirds, but they do exist and can be useful, and getting as many people in different groups will increase the chances that rarities get reported back to here.
There was an interesting discussion a few months ago on the ABA podcast about how de-centralized the communication systems are now for birding. Instead of just a hotline, there's now dozens of platforms, email chains, ebird etc. There are pros and cons, but it's what we have. I'm fairly new to the scene, so never experienced the phone-only days, but it is difficult to juggle so many communication systems to track information down.
That being said, I DO plan on continuing to use this for rarities, and I hope others do as well! Being able to share a rare bird with other birders is a great feeling! If someone does track down that Common Crane again, you can bet I'll head back out there...the haystack won on Tuesday.
Tobin Brown
Lancaster County
On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> wrote:
Ross, Tobin, Mike etc. Interesting discussion regarding some kind of additional birding communication system. I would like to offer my thoughts on throwing in another "communication system" into the NEBirds and the couple of others floating around. Personal Comments: NEBirds really should be the "go to" communication system for members of the NOU. It is immediately news to all of the membership and is faster than posts even to eBrid (which is a big part of my focus personally) in the sense of when it is posted (which is often after completing a checklist--which may or may not be done at in a timely manner (for a rarity or a quick chase).
Concerns: Separate communications systems are not as widely followed or even be known to, or made available to so many of the NEBirders The groups often disappear if the owner/manager of the list loses interest or moves away. Additionally, they often get the reputation of being a kind of private/elitist group which puts people off a little, even though this was not the intention of the owner/manager or group.
Tangentially: Once a rarity is reported and people begin to chase or look for this "rarity" one way we can encourage and be helpful to all birders is for those of us who "chase" a bird of interest is to REPORT BACK ASAP as to whether you located or did NOT relocate the bird. This is not to say that the bird could still be there or not it just gives people better information as to whether they should make the chase or not: If you are blessed to relocate the rarity, Please REPORT IT, to NEBirds (groups.io) If you were unable to relocate the rarity, Please REPORT IT, that as well to NEBirds (group.io) ASAP as well. Personally, part of birding should be to make it fun and inclusive for all regardless of ability or knowledge. As an aside, I was tempted to head down for the Common Crane (would have been a county bird) glad I did not chase as it stayed hidden somewhere!
God Bless you all and great birding to you all.Paul O. RoisenWoodbury County, IAMobile 712-301-2817
