When eBirders provide documentation or descriptions that rule out confusingly similar species, they make their reports more credible not only to reviewers, but also to total strangers that years from now may want to use their data for research with the assurance the observation was accurate. Â So ultimately those requirements are actually good for observers, if they appreciate contributing to the bigger picture, that is.
-Shari Schwartz, Lincoln
On Friday, May 16, 2025, 5:38:37 PM CDT, Tim Houghton via groups.io <timhoughton...> wrote:
Just a couple of points in response. I think everyone is aware that eBird reviewers are volunteers, but that isn't relevant as to whether or not a policy is a good policy. And of course every reviewer wants to "ensure data quality." But how that is defined or implemented can vary greatly--read my previous email--and that can vary greatly between counties and reviewers even in the same state. And, no, a "quality description" does not always work. Often a recording or pic is required. And sometimes that requirement is reasonable and sometimes it is not reasonable. And, yes, YBFL is less common than other empids in the spring, so, ok, if you want to flag it as rare, fine, as long as a good description can work. As I pointed out, a well-seen bright one is an easy ID. It helps to have been using eBird for a number of years and in different states to see how eBird/reviewers operate--and oh my goodness how they differ in their approaches.  Sometimes a policy can lead to a bird appearing to be more rare than it actually is. If certain observations are summarily dismissed, they won't show up on eBird maps. And, sad to say, it is too common that birders don't even report a sighting if they weren't able to obtain a pic or recording. But, still, YBFL is less common than other empids, yes indeed.  A further note on ticks, just in case anyone might be interested (yawn). Lyme ticks need to be attached for quite awhile in general to cause disease. (Most everyone is aware that Lyme is nasty, but many have never heard of alpha gal.) What makes the Lone Star Tick particularly insidious is that just a quick bite taking minutes can cause alpha gal. And that totally sucks. Some people come down with anaphylaxis--which is no joke--but many can eventually eat some red meat at some point.  Tim Houghton
On 05/16/2025 4:28 PM CDT Tobin Brown via groups.io <tobinjbrown...> wrote: Â Â
Nice sighting! We had lots of empids this morning as well, but no luck with YBFL.
I'd like to note that the ebird reviewers are volunteers, and the filters are in place to ensure data quality. A quality description on the report is all that is needed. YBFL is by far the rarest in the spring so it makes sense to me that it flags rare.
Interesting about the ticks, the Black-legged Tick is the only one that carries Lyme disease, but you're right. Lone star tick bites can cause alpha-gal syndrome, not as bad as Lyme but still bad.
Tobin Brown
Lancaster county
On Fri, May 16, 2025, 3:11 PM Tim Houghton via groups.io <timhoughton...> wrote:
The south end of Two Rivers is a great place for flycatchers. I got several today, including the yellow bellied flycatcher (YBFL). Here is my checklist with the yellow-bellied description. Â https://ebird.org/checklist/S238874097Â Â This bird has been seen north of here in SD, east of here in Des Moines, and south of here in KS. No photo required in those places, not even a description! But here, things are different. A bright spring YBFL is a slam dunk, and a thorough description should be sufficient for confirmation. But this is just one example where NE eBird should modify its requirements, at least in the eastern part of the state...and become more reasonable and birder friendly. (Not a new issue here, by the way.) I would hope that NE eBird is secure enough to take suggestions and look at itself. Â Beware: lots of ticks are around, all stages of them, including the Lone Star Tick--here in NE as well as in Iowa. A small but significant percentage of people bitten by the Lone Star develop some degree of the dreaded red-meat allergy. Not good! Â Tim Houghton
On 05/16/2025 10:21 AM CDT Tim Houghton via groups.io <timhoughton...> wrote: Â Â At two rivers sp. I believe whats called the wma area. Pretty bright one. Not surprising here now. Â Tim Houghton
