[tn-bird] eBird: a national birding database

As much fun as is birding, it must always be remembered that it is also 
serious science.  In a time of environmental change (global warming, West 
Nile virus, &.) birds are a major indicator of trends.  For this reason, it 
is important to maintain baseline data about bird populations at different 
times, in different localities, &., for comparison for the study of long-term 
environmental trends.  Some of these studies, such as Christmas Bird Counts, 
Breeding Bird Survey and chapter field trip records have been collected for 
years.  Others, such as Project Feeder Watch and Great Backyard Bird Count 
are relatively new.  Now Cornell University Labratory of Ornithology has 
established a nationwide database in which observations of birds can be 
recorded any time, any where.  This is project eBird.  eBird permits an 
observer to enter sightings at any special locality, such as a person's own 
yard, walking area, fishing hole, golf course, &.  It also allows anyone to 
enter the locality of a "Birding Hot Spot", a place where local birders go 
regularly.  Time and location comparisons are easily found, so a person can 
easily retrieve information on how many ducks were observed at a certain lake 
on what date, what was the earliest and latest hummingbird observation at a 
specific locality over several years, &.  Of course, this in no way should 
discourage anyone from sending regular observations to state and chapter 
curators, and everyone should continue to participate in CBC's, PFW, &.  
Every observation is important, but only if it is recorded.  Please try this 
link and see what you think of eBird.


 <A HREF="http://www.ebird.org/";>eBird || North America's destination for 
birding on the Web</A> 


Van Harris
Millington, TN

"The birds that you don't see are sometimes more important than the ones you 
do."

                                                                    -Lula 
Coffey-
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