[Birdtalk] off-topic

[mjw22 at comcast.net]

Hello All,
   Thanks to Dave & Glenn for their on-topic comments about documenting, getting witnesses to "confirm" the rare bird and also writing a good report.  
    I'd like to second what Glenn said about getting some other skilled witnesses "on the bird".  When a rare bird is found, many birders call hotlines, text message listserves, call others, etc.  Some birders don't and they should expect greater scrutiny (and yes, *gasp*, skepticism) if theirs is the only report and it lacks photo, sound or other conclusive documentation.  If there were only one eyewitness to a crime, that witness would spend a lot longer on the stand than if the crime was caught on tape.  
     That said, we are not reporting crimes or performing any moral obligation here.  We're out there to enjoy birds.  If you come across a rare one and would like to report it, that's great.  Preferably, share it with others in a timely fashion (so they can enjoy AND confirm) and, if nobody's around, you have the option to write a report.  While I would encourage submitting formal reports, this is not required of any birder.  If you can't handle rejection, don't submit the report.    
      I'm really failing to see how ethics are involved in a situation where reports are requested.  If birders feel as though they won't be fairly reviewed, they have the option to simply not submit.   Records committies know this and, as Dave mentioned, most good ones make it a point to review each and every record. But, it would be unethical to force even mildly negligent records committies to review records against their will. Also, perhaps the request for reports is to collect records that MAY be of interest in the future but aren't particularly pressing now.  I'm thinking that a few more documented reports on Passenger Pigeons would be pretty interesting. Unfortunately, we no longer have that option.
       In short, nobody is forcing anyone to act against their will.  Nobody's badgering the bird witness. Go out, see birds, have fun, report them if you want to share your sightings with others.  If the only purpose and enjoyment people recieved from birding was from reporting sightings, I think there would be a lot fewer birders.

Pish out,
Matt Williams
Provo, UT