For everyone’s info-here’s info and guidance from ebird for species they’ve labeled “sensitive” like Long-eared Owls.
“How should eBirders report sensitive species? Report the observation in eBird where the record will be protected from exploitation and still help inform research and conservation for the species.
However, we ask eBirders observing any of the species on our Sensitive Species List to use discretion in sharing sightings via other public platforms (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, webpages, listservs, etc.). Revealing site-level records exposes the birds to risk from professional bird trappers, hunters, and/or pressure by birdwatchers and photographers and could cause significant harm to the conservation of these species. We recommend that you enjoy your good fortune privately and keep the specific location secret from others outside of eBird to help protect the species.”
This is just how ebird works, and it’s basic birder etiquette. Most times people find species like this, no one finds out. And even if you do report it (as said by others) no one else can see any checklists or locations related to it. It’s for the good of these species. That’s also why the facebook post was taken down. Not to gatekeep, but by the page's moderators so that it wouldn’t be overcrowded and scared away. Unfortunately this just happened anyway.
These species aren’t the case in general. If people are so concerned about getting ASAP news about rare birds, you can also just set up getting hourly rare bird alerts or needs alerts on ebird.
