Interesting site, thanks Steve.
There is obviously a lot of skill that goes into sites like that (I am
thinking also of Birdline Victoria for instance), and a lot of effort into
maintaining them and recording observations.
I wonder if there is any effort to create computerised links between them,
and with the Australian Bird Atlas (and analogues overseas and here eg.
reporting banded shorebirds, nest records, AVW...)
What would - might - be ideal is for the international bird organisations to
develop some sort of bird listing computer protocol to enable exchange. I
realise that would have to include some sort of assessment, accreditation or
rating of records to prevent misleading data getting on to the authoritative
databases. But even these could have a second tier for observations which
are not officially accepted. Some interesting patterns might be detected in
this way which would otherwise be missed.
Another plus would be for observers who wish to report their records to a
variety of audiences through a variety of sites.
Wishing I had the time and skill and money to contribute myself!
Michael Norris
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