[Birdtalk] A Plea for Reports!

[Tim Avery]

Recently Doug Faulkner sent an email out to the Wyoming state list-serv (a list
with only 90 members).  His reason for the email was  a "plea for reports". 
Wyoming is a large state, with a small population and there was on average, one
post to the list per week.  Now Doug knew that there were more than one person
going birding in the entire state each week, and it was frustrating not hearing
about the birds from all over the place.  He wasn't asking for rare bird
reports, or even special sightings, he just wanted people to post what they
were seeing, even if it was a Yellow Warbler in someones backyard.

The lists aren't just for rare birds, in fact, that is why there are two lists. 
The BIRDNET list is used to post about rarities, and birds that people would
likely be interested in chasing.  The BIRDTALK list is used for talking about
birds in general, and posting everyday sightings, posing questions, etc.

My plea is the same as Doug's, only this time for Utah.  We have a much larger
base than 90 people and I know that a lot of you are going out every weekend
and never posting what you are finding or seeing.  Many of us do not make it
out to locations around the state and being able to see reports of birds from
Vernal, Bluff, St. George, Lake Powell, Cache County, etc HELP EVERYONE in
knowing when species are arriving, and what is hanging out right now.

Even if you don't make it out birding, and are just watching birds at your
feeders, or on a morning walk around the block, sharing that information can be
useful to others in your area.  The last two weeks should have been the height
of spring birding here in Utah, and yet there were less posts than the two
weeks before (and most of which were form the "regular" posters).  I am echoing
what Colby wrote when he posed the sarcastic question, "Is there a bird
festival going on right now?", at the beginning of last week.  There were many
field trips, and yet only 2 field trip reports.  This simply blows my mind...

SO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! Post your sightings!  Even if it's just a quick list,
date and location, or if it is just to mention what you saw in your backyard
this morning.  WE have a large group of birders spread out across a large
state, meaning there are lost of birds being seen in every nook and cranny. 
Sharing this information will be beneficial to everyone, and be appreciated by
many of us.

Good Birding

Tim
Salt Lake City, UT
tanager at timaverybirding.com
http://www.timaverybirding.com
http://www.birdtography.com