FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Re: Notice to All TN-Bird Subscribers

["Michael Roedel" <Michael.Roedel@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wallace's reminder to include county of observation to the list is very
important from the biologist's standpoint.  When looking for information
about a certain species in the state, I can search the list archives for
the common name, which is almost always included within emails to the
list.  However, any name misspelled, nicknamed, or abbreviated is less
likely to be picked up in my search.
 
When the focus of my inquiry centers on a certain geographical area,
such as a refuge or wildlife management area, I search the list archives
for the county (or counties) and easily find messages that I can use to
determine what birds are being observed in or near my area of question
and when.  If the county name is not provided, potentially valuable
information may not turn up in a search, even when map coordinates and
town name and everything else in the message is flawless.
 
I have greatly appreciated the detail provided by observers in the
messages to the TN-bird list over the years.  For nearly a decade,
observations from a network of birdwatchers across the state have been
instantly available to all of us.  This growing source of information is
very helpful, not only to other birdwatchers, but to biologists as
well... and it keeps getting better.  Thanks to all of you!
 
Michael Roedel, State Ornithologist
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 40747 Nashville, TN 37204
 
http://www.state.tn.us/twra
 
 
 
 
>>> "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx> 2/28/2005 21:09:07 >>>

To TN-Bird Subscribers:
Our birders and subscribers have been doing so well with detailed
reports that it has been many months since a reminder has been needed
about the subject.

Recently we have had a few subscribers who don't remember to include
details of bird report locations ( INCLUDING COUNTY ) or they just don't
believe they need to be concerned.  I usually make direct contact with
persons who are having problems.  

It is very easy to determine when someone simply forgets or makes a
slight oversight.  We all can recognize them and they need no reminder. 
When the situation begins to appear with more frequency, I send a mesage
to remind everyone.  

The experienced and informed subscribers do an excellent job of making
this work and by setting good examples.  It is appreciated.

We need county locations so new subscribers and those editing data for
publication in "The Season" section of the Tennessee journal of
ornithology can locate certain areas more easily.

Please include all useful information in the body text of your messag
and not assume that readers will get part of the information from your
subject line. 

We have new subscribers coming on TN-Birds almost daily and sometimes
several in a days time.  Combined with the churn, which includes those
unsubscribing, I estimate approximately 1,000 birders, biologists,
wildlifers and natural resources managers who are reading or using data
from TN-Birds.  

Recently, an environmental consulting group in Atlanta contacted me to
say they were using TN-Birds to map locations of Great Blue Heron
nesting colonies in Northeast Tennessee and needed to get more precise
information.   Mike Rodel with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
is archiving everything from TN-Birds for state management purposes. 
Many federal and state agencies are collecting significant information.

If you think subscribers on this list know the location you are talking
about when you simply mention it by name, then that is a good indication
that you are not providing enough details.  Always write everything for
everyone.  

Do not write just to your bird club members or your birding friends
thinking they are the only ones who care.  It is ok to put such local
information on the list.  Just make sure it contains details for all
subscribers.

TN-Birds Net is one of the most orderly and useful state lists in this
nation.  We should be proud of the fact that we are what some state
lists would like to be.

Let's go birding.....

Wallace Coffey
Moderator TN-Birds
Tennessee Ornithological Society
Bristol, TN




=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

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first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
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         Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
                 wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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