I see your point, Russ. I think using a name, even if in local use, that is
not on any map would not be helpful.
I prefer the idea of changing the name to add “access.” That is more helpful
to a visitor who will be on notice that some walk-in may be needed. That also
avoids confusion for people who DO look at a real map and see Fossil Point in a
somewhat different location.
Alan Contreras
Eugene, Oregon
acontrer56@xxxxxxxxx
On Mar 27, 2017, at 9:34 AM, Russ Namitz <namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Several years ago, I advocated for moving the Fossil Point eBird Hotspot from
the rocky point WEST of the pumphouse parking lot to the parking lot itself
to inform visiting birders how to access the area. This was especially
helpful when birders came to view the Common Eider which was not viewable
from the parking lot, but around the corner and roosting south on Fossil
Point proper.
Essentially what you are advocating for is the loss of the name of Fossil
Point as a birding location and changing the name to an antiquated and
colloquilal name that most people have never heard of and can't be found on a
map. Putting a Hotspot on Fossil Point proper (map location) would be
nonsensical as this area is private and only accessible by a long walk at low
tide.
Pigeon Point has the same issue. The eBird Hotspot marker is at the location
where the trail through the woods pops out onto the beach, north of Pigeon
Point proper (also private). I am sure that locals also have some colloquial
name for this beach as well.
Possible solutions, if really necessary, could be to put the Hotspot marker
back on the western unnamed point that the majority of us call Fossil Point
or change the name of the Hotspot to something like "Fossil Point access."
Russ Namitz
Coos eBird Reviewer
