[obol] Re: RFI Wrentit in Hood River Co.
- From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: llsdirons@xxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 10:07:32 -0800
Thanks. Wayne pointed this out to me, that the database itself is more
purified than the individual checklists, which at that level are simply the
birder's personal tracking system. Since I don't use ebird to keep track of my
personal lists I tend to forget that it has this function.
It does create some minor confusion if anyone wants to go to the original
checklist for information, but that won't happen much unless someone is
trawling for a photo.
.
.
Alan Contreras
acontrer56@xxxxxxxxx
Eugene, Oregon
On Feb 18, 2015, at 10:01 AM, David Irons wrote:
> Alan et al.,
>
> This is not a "major issue." We are talking about two discrete informational
> streams here. One is the database and the other is the real-time "alert"
> system. In my opinion, this is not a problem that needs to be "fixed."
>
> There is but one useful path into the eBird database and that is via "Explore
> Data." The only records that appear on the maps, bar charts and other outputs
> of the database are those that either didn't trigger a filter (common birds
> in expected numbers) or those that have been reviewed and validated by local
> reviewers–these records involve less-expected birds or unusually high counts
> that trigger preset filters.
>
> The real-time "alerts" are designed to notify other birders about potentially
> correct rare bird discoveries in a timely fashion so that they can be
> followed up on before the trail goes cold. A Wrentit in Hood River County
> definitely qualifies as such, as there are no confirmed records for the
> county. These alerts should be treated with 'buyer beware' mentality, as
> typically they have not been confirmed by other birders or processed by the
> local eBird reviewer.
>
> I can't imagine that someone seeking to dig into the eBird database for the
> purposes Alan describes would ever use the eBird alerts as their source. The
> alerts are streamed chronologically and are not particularly searchable
> otherwise. If you want to search information on a particular species or a
> particular region, the only logical path would be to go to the website and
> search via Explore Data. If you do this currently, you will find no data
> points suggesting that Wrentit has ever been recorded in Hood River County.
> Until such time that there is a reviewed and validated report for Hood River
> County, you won't.
>
> Individual checklists are essentially the property of those who enter them.
> Part of the appeal of eBird is that users can include and count whatever they
> want on their own lists and they cannot be compelled by local reviewers to
> remove species or change their counts. Reviewers work to protect the
> integrity of the database, not police individual checklists. Applying a
> 'scarlet letter' of sorts to invalidated sightings would certainly be viewed
> by some as an intrusion into their work space. Part of the review process is
> to help users understand the difference between validation and invalidation.
> In my work as a reviewer I've found that most folks appreciate the work we do
> and readily accept that the database needs to be held to a higher standard
> than what might be included on our personal lists.
>
> Dave Irons
> Portland, OR
>
>
>
> Subject: [obol] RFI Wrentit in Hood River Co.
> From: acontrer56@xxxxxxxxx
> Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 09:09:26 -0800
> CC: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: contopus@xxxxxxxxx
>
> That's a fairly major issue. It means you can't use the database as a source
> for, say, a regional ornithology without cross-checking the map for every
> species that has an unusual record. Ugh. Needs to be fixed.
>
> Of course, anyone who uses the database can simply ignore any individual list
> or report, but that limits the utility of the system.
> .
> .
> Alan Contreras
> acontrer56@xxxxxxxxx
>
> Eugene, Oregon
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 18, 2015, at 9:05 AM, Wayne Weber wrote:
>
> Jeff and Oregon Birders,
>
> This report of a Wrentit at Lost Lake has apparently been invalidated by the
> local eBird reviewer/editor, because it does not appear in eBird maps of the
> distribution of this species.
>
> One of the problems with using eBird data, which may not be understood by
> everyone who uses eBird, is that invalidated records (i.e., those considered
> to be erroneous or questionable by reviewers) are NOT marked as such on
> checklists, and appear to be perfectly valid records. Invalidated records do
> not appear on maps, and are not part of the main eBird database, but unless
> they are withdrawn or deleted by the observer, these records will still
> appear on checklists. If you are looking at a checklist, and one or more
> sightings appear to be questionable, you should double-check to make sure it
> shows up on a map before accepting the sighting as valid.
>
> The failure to label invalidated records on checklists, in my opinion, is one
> of the biggest problems in using eBird data currently. I’m sure that the
> eBird staff recognize this as a serious problem, and that they plan to fix
> it, but I suspect that it will take a significant amount of computer
> programming to rectify this problem.
>
> Wayne C. Weber
> Delta, BC
> contopus@xxxxxxxxx
> eBird reviewer/editor for Metro Vancouver, BC
>
>
> From: obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of J Hayes
> Sent: February-17-15 9:19 PM
> To: Oregon Birders OnLine
> Subject: [obol] RFI Wrentit in Hood River Co.
>
> Hello, birders
> I've come across a report of a Wrentit at Lost Lake in Hood River County July
> 12 2014. Here's the eBird checklist link:
> www.ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19089151
> Does anyone know of any prior records of this species in Hood River County?
> I could not find any. Your help is appreciated.
> Jeff Hayes
>
>
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