Post by tmanson on Nov 8, 2008 16:06:47 GMT -8
Hi all: Not really off-topic, but didn't want to knock the November reports off the headline for General Discussion.
A number of birders who read, and, contribute to, this site, keep various lists of the birds they see. Some of the lists may include birds seen in a lifetime, or a year, etc, for places like B.C., Fraser Valley, Canada, Vancouver, ABA checklist area, and, so on.
Perhaps somewhat confusingly, for those that wish to report their lists, there are almost as many sites to do so.
I thought I would try to start a discussion about these various sites, with the purpose of encouraging those that wish to, to start contributing their various lists.
This list may not be inclusive for the simple reason that I may not know about all the various reporting sites.
1) British Columbia Field Ornithologists: Must be a member to send in annual lists.-cost $30.00. This is a member driven organization, and seems to be undergoing some changes in executive positions, including Listing Corner. In recent communication, I have not been able to find out what the current plans are for this part of this newsletter.
The 2007 lists that have been submitted have not been published, to my knowledge. Focuses first on B.C. annual life lists, but includes others.
2) Neily's Canadian Listing Corner- run out of Ottawa, and costs $6.00 to submit annual lists in variety of categories, including B.C.
3) American Biriding Association. Must be a member to submit lists. Costs approximately $55 a year to join. Sometimes I forget to submit my lists as this form is sent out in the summer to be submitted at the end of the year. I think, however, that the submission forms can be dowloaded. Covers a variety of listing sites, including the World, ABA listing area, Canada, and its provinces.
4) E-bird: One way to submit a variety of lists. Cost $0 I have not found this site to be all that user friendly, although I am hardly the most computer literate person in the world
5) Surfbirds: Another way of submitting electronic lists. Cost $0 I have to admit I favour this site over all the others. I really like the variety of lists that can be submitted. New listing areas can be created. B.C., Canada, and the ABA listing areas are all included under the North America heading. Most importantly, you can also continuously update your lists. You can also highlight various birds that you have seen. The major negative is that, for whatever reason, this website does not seem to be all that widely supported by B.C. birders. I don't know why.
Yesterday, I was in communication with a birder who has withdrawn from submitting his lists to this site, because of the lack of participation by B.C. birders. He says he is aware of over 20 birders who have B.C. lists of over 400, and, yet, only 2, ( almost 3 ) are reporting on this site. Naturally, not all birders want to report their lists, but 3 of this group seems to be on the low side. I know some of this group reports on some of the other sites reported above.
It should be noted that submission of lists to all these sites is not vetted by a second party. Naturally, birders are encouraged, ( required ?), to follow the appropriate rules for submitting their lists.
I would encourage all birders who read this, and keep lists, and wish to publish them, to consider doing so. Feedback on this topic would also be great. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
A number of birders who read, and, contribute to, this site, keep various lists of the birds they see. Some of the lists may include birds seen in a lifetime, or a year, etc, for places like B.C., Fraser Valley, Canada, Vancouver, ABA checklist area, and, so on.
Perhaps somewhat confusingly, for those that wish to report their lists, there are almost as many sites to do so.
I thought I would try to start a discussion about these various sites, with the purpose of encouraging those that wish to, to start contributing their various lists.
This list may not be inclusive for the simple reason that I may not know about all the various reporting sites.
1) British Columbia Field Ornithologists: Must be a member to send in annual lists.-cost $30.00. This is a member driven organization, and seems to be undergoing some changes in executive positions, including Listing Corner. In recent communication, I have not been able to find out what the current plans are for this part of this newsletter.
The 2007 lists that have been submitted have not been published, to my knowledge. Focuses first on B.C. annual life lists, but includes others.
2) Neily's Canadian Listing Corner- run out of Ottawa, and costs $6.00 to submit annual lists in variety of categories, including B.C.
3) American Biriding Association. Must be a member to submit lists. Costs approximately $55 a year to join. Sometimes I forget to submit my lists as this form is sent out in the summer to be submitted at the end of the year. I think, however, that the submission forms can be dowloaded. Covers a variety of listing sites, including the World, ABA listing area, Canada, and its provinces.
4) E-bird: One way to submit a variety of lists. Cost $0 I have not found this site to be all that user friendly, although I am hardly the most computer literate person in the world
5) Surfbirds: Another way of submitting electronic lists. Cost $0 I have to admit I favour this site over all the others. I really like the variety of lists that can be submitted. New listing areas can be created. B.C., Canada, and the ABA listing areas are all included under the North America heading. Most importantly, you can also continuously update your lists. You can also highlight various birds that you have seen. The major negative is that, for whatever reason, this website does not seem to be all that widely supported by B.C. birders. I don't know why.
Yesterday, I was in communication with a birder who has withdrawn from submitting his lists to this site, because of the lack of participation by B.C. birders. He says he is aware of over 20 birders who have B.C. lists of over 400, and, yet, only 2, ( almost 3 ) are reporting on this site. Naturally, not all birders want to report their lists, but 3 of this group seems to be on the low side. I know some of this group reports on some of the other sites reported above.
It should be noted that submission of lists to all these sites is not vetted by a second party. Naturally, birders are encouraged, ( required ?), to follow the appropriate rules for submitting their lists.
I would encourage all birders who read this, and keep lists, and wish to publish them, to consider doing so. Feedback on this topic would also be great. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
