Coral - There is a bit of local folklore
involved here. Several COG members like to keep a list of their ACT
sightings, and a few are very enthusiastic about doing so, some for each single
calendar year. Among the very very keen are some who have
established a network to circulate early and even near-instantaneous sightings
of rarities.
I regard myself as a serious bird student, certainly by time
spent on the subject, but I am not a member of this group. I have no wish
to be telephoned urgently about one rarity or other that might only be offering
a fleeting view of itself, quite likely at some inconvenient time or place.
If you were REALLY serious about this sort of thing, I suppose you could join,
but I would understand it if members took the view that this kind of network
can only function with a reasonable limit on numbers. There is a limit to
how many people can be contacted and it does seem to be all or nothing. Also,
I think there is a mutual expectation that members will do their fair share of regular
patrolling and reporting in on birds of interest. A high level of
dedication to the activity is needed.
There is certainly a question about the relationship of the smaller
network and the broader chatline. My experience is that all the
ACT-tickers do a good job in quickly reporting newsworthy birds to the
chatline. I sometimes wish there was just a little more specific info on
locality to help someone who might make a more leisurely try for the bird, but
I have no real complaint, having watched and been aware of the process for some
time. The persons concerned are unfailingly helpful if you want to ask
anything specific about a sighting.
There is also the issue of ‘possibles’.
Getting a quick check of a ‘possible’ from [a] colleague/s who is
prepared to miss the dental appointment and immediately drive 30 k to see if
your greyish blur really was a Grey Honeyeater is one thing. Announcing
your ‘possible GH’ to the world is another matter.
There will always be groups within groups, and I think the
present state of affairs is reasonable and we would be worse off from the
viewpoint of building the overall information pool if one or more (necessarily)
smaller teams did not exist.
If I have misrepresented anyone’s position I shall expect
to be corrected.
Geoffrey
From: Dow, Coral (DPS)
[
Sent: Thursday, 21 June 2007 3:53 PM
To: Harvey Perkins; ;
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] White-fronted Honeyeater at Jerra Wetlands
I notice this message also went to what
is that listing? There doesn't seem to be any mention of it on the Canberra
Birds site. Is it an 'exclusive' list for the 'serious' birdos?
Dr Coral Dow
Research
Specialist, Social Policy Section
Research Branch
Parliamentary
Library, Department of Parliamentary Services
Parliament
House, Canberra ACT 2600
Ph: 02 6277
2709
Fax: 02 6277
2498
Email:
