Re: [CT Birds] Where are all the birder's
Well put Brian! I would also like to add my two cent's regarding the
comment's made in last nights daily report. Why is it assumed that unless we
are all birding the same coastal hotspots that we are not out there birding?
I can't speak for everyone but I am out there birding but choose to check
out areas that are overlooked and under birded. Is it a crime to bird
somewhere else than the coast right now? Is it a crime to search for
shorebird's in other locations besides the same traditional hotspots?
Also, I check my e-mail several times during the weekend through my cell
phone. If a good bird is discovered not far from where I am birding and I
head over to check it out does that classify me as a "bird chaser"? If so
explain why.
I just think it's wrong to assume that most birder's are home sitting in the
air conditioning waiting for a good bird to be discovered so we can "chase
it down".
Mark Barriger
Hamden, CT
From: snaketat@cox.net
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: [CT Birds] Where are all the birder's (Brian Kleinman)
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 12:59:21 -0400
I would like to comment on “where are all the birders?” We're still
here but it is sometimes difficult to find time and money to bird. When I
was in my teens and early twenties (I’m 31 now) I would venture out many
times in a week in search of wildlife ~ especially birds. Gas was
$1.09/gallon and I had few responsibilities. Now gas and the cost of
living have doubled, even tripled in some cases. The family, house, and
job(s) have now taken priority over birding. It is very difficult if near
impossible to escape sometimes. Although I still bird quite a lot, usually
it’s a shorter duration and more local. Thirty years from now, when I
retire, I’m looking forward to taking longer birding trips throughout
Connecticut in my electric powered hover car.
Brian Kleinman
East Granby
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Mark & others,
No one is reporting any "crimes" here. Nobody was accused of sitting
at home waiting to chase birds. My particular comment was meant to
encourage, not offend. Roy, perhaps acting on posts by myself and Luke
Tiller from last night, was simply pointing out that for such a busy
time of year, there are very few reports. At least that is how I read
it, and that is what I meant myself. Why? Maybe gas prices, maybe
people are birding but not posting, maybe young people with few
responsibilities such as myself are not as prevalent as in the
past......maybe a combination of things.
I would also like to point out that Roy puts a lot of time into the
daily reports (I know from having filled-in for Dori & Roy in the
past), so any sort of public criticism like this is really
unwarranted. I also put time into posting species, numbers, and
photographs here...this all takes time as well. Just goes to show you
can't please all the people all the time.
I would like to point out that I was the first person to get the
wheels turning on this sort of open listserv last autumn. One of the
reasons that some birders are/were against it was because of critical
posts like this one. People are free to say what they want, and that
gives us a great degree of responsibility. I believed, and still do
believe, that we are capable of policing ourselves. Please remember
that this is a forum to discuss bird sightings, identification,
status, distribution, etc.....but it is not a forum to criticize.
Other states seem to be successful; I hope CT can too.
Nick Bonomo
Orange, CT
On 8/1/07, Mark Barriger mark8bud8@hotmail.com wrote:
Well put Brian! I would also like to add my two cent's regarding the
comment's made in last nights daily report. Why is it assumed that unless we
are all birding the same coastal hotspots that we are not out there birding?
I can't speak for everyone but I am out there birding but choose to check
out areas that are overlooked and under birded. Is it a crime to bird
somewhere else than the coast right now? Is it a crime to search for
shorebird's in other locations besides the same traditional hotspots?
Also, I check my e-mail several times during the weekend through my cell
phone. If a good bird is discovered not far from where I am birding and I
head over to check it out does that classify me as a "bird chaser"? If so
explain why.
I just think it's wrong to assume that most birder's are home sitting in the
air conditioning waiting for a good bird to be discovered so we can "chase
it down".
Mark Barriger
Hamden, CT
From: snaketat@cox.net
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: [CT Birds] Where are all the birder's (Brian Kleinman)
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2007 12:59:21 -0400
I would like to comment on "where are all the birders?" We're still
here but it is sometimes difficult to find time and money to bird. When I
was in my teens and early twenties (I'm 31 now) I would venture out many
times in a week in search of wildlife ~ especially birds. Gas was
$1.09/gallon and I had few responsibilities. Now gas and the cost of
living have doubled, even tripled in some cases. The family, house, and
job(s) have now taken priority over birding. It is very difficult if near
impossible to escape sometimes. Although I still bird quite a lot, usually
it's a shorter duration and more local. Thirty years from now, when I
retire, I'm looking forward to taking longer birding trips throughout
Connecticut in my electric powered hover car.
Brian Kleinman
East Granby
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=hmtextlinkjuly07
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
I must second the words stated in David and Nick's posts respectively.
Sadly, I don't want to see people get upset with each other for a
misunderstanding of Internet discussions. It's very easy to misread one's
true meaning when it's only in written form. One doesn't have the luxury of
being face to face to interpret true meaning of the communication. I love
this forum and all the information I have obtained in a wide variety of
discussions regarding birds and birding. Sadly, I have been home 'backyard'
birding for the most part because of a big exam I am taking this weekend -
so, I've been studying hard for it. Another reason being is that I am not
terribly familiar with getting out to many of the 'hot spots' - I'm learning
of those places via this forum - so, it's been a treasure trove of info for
me. I have a few personal things to attend to in the next week or so and
then I hope to get out a bit before the school year commences again and I
return full time to my intern program. Besides that, I admit to a little
nervousness in going to new places on my own where I would worry about my
safety being alone in the woods or elsewhere - forgive my paranoia with
modern society.
Donna Lorello
Branford