I applaud your resolve to limit yourself to just waiting for the rarities to come to you (and do they ever!). I've been practicing this for the past couple of years and find I don't miss the running around, wasting fossil fuel, etc. I feel less guilty even it my contribution is of minimal significance. In the past several weeks I've seen a Townsend's Solitaire and an American Goldfinch at our place. Birds I'd surely have missed if I hadn't been home.
I've seen those too! And for the same reason...just being present in the yard. I applaud your resolve as well--yes, I know we have amazing yards unlike most yards (and that I'm probably not making any friends being so critical of "listers")...but like you I struggle with the guilt...and I'm always thinking more can be done. Every hopeful, anyway...
I'm still waiting for those Cassin's Finches! I've had them in previous years but did not even see any in the Dragoons when we did the Christmas Bird Count so maybe they just aren't around here. I have to "bite my tongue" when I see so many FB posts by "friends" who go on so many birding outings, not for listing but just for "fun" and/or photography. Can't deny that birding isn't fun but don't these people have a conscience? Now some are driving to LA for that Snowy Owl! BTW, I am way behind on reading The Big Yard but will catch up soon. I have every one saved on my hard drive.
I counted 12 yesterday, and posted a photo of them in the seed tray. There out there this morning in the rain! Birders with a conscience! That's what we need. A few days after I posted this, three birders from Sweden came to the yard looking for my Cassin's Finches--they didn't even get out of the car! Then they were off to the Chiricahuas and on to Houston to catch their flight home. Crazy.
I'm thinking I'll not post rarities to eBird any longer, at least not right away. I'll wait until they're long gone. Some people will think this is mean but it's getting to the point where eBird does a huge disservice to birds, especially those that have lost their way.
That's what I'm thinking too. I think the science is important, but delaying a report for a week or so shouldn't matter, the date remains the same. Then again, as Karen points out, I took a lot of (selfish) pleasure in meeting all those bird people hoping to see the Nightingale-Thrush!
I applaud your resolve to limit yourself to just waiting for the rarities to come to you (and do they ever!). I've been practicing this for the past couple of years and find I don't miss the running around, wasting fossil fuel, etc. I feel less guilty even it my contribution is of minimal significance. In the past several weeks I've seen a Townsend's Solitaire and an American Goldfinch at our place. Birds I'd surely have missed if I hadn't been home.
I've seen those too! And for the same reason...just being present in the yard. I applaud your resolve as well--yes, I know we have amazing yards unlike most yards (and that I'm probably not making any friends being so critical of "listers")...but like you I struggle with the guilt...and I'm always thinking more can be done. Every hopeful, anyway...
I'm still waiting for those Cassin's Finches! I've had them in previous years but did not even see any in the Dragoons when we did the Christmas Bird Count so maybe they just aren't around here. I have to "bite my tongue" when I see so many FB posts by "friends" who go on so many birding outings, not for listing but just for "fun" and/or photography. Can't deny that birding isn't fun but don't these people have a conscience? Now some are driving to LA for that Snowy Owl! BTW, I am way behind on reading The Big Yard but will catch up soon. I have every one saved on my hard drive.
I counted 12 yesterday, and posted a photo of them in the seed tray. There out there this morning in the rain! Birders with a conscience! That's what we need. A few days after I posted this, three birders from Sweden came to the yard looking for my Cassin's Finches--they didn't even get out of the car! Then they were off to the Chiricahuas and on to Houston to catch their flight home. Crazy.
I'm thinking I'll not post rarities to eBird any longer, at least not right away. I'll wait until they're long gone. Some people will think this is mean but it's getting to the point where eBird does a huge disservice to birds, especially those that have lost their way.
That's what I'm thinking too. I think the science is important, but delaying a report for a week or so shouldn't matter, the date remains the same. Then again, as Karen points out, I took a lot of (selfish) pleasure in meeting all those bird people hoping to see the Nightingale-Thrush!
Yes! Enjoying by observing is so much better than chasing another number just for the sake of a number
Thank you! So glad you agree... Seems to me not enough is being said about this issue, especially in the birding community.