eBird Central is currently working on a “fix” where the record can be evaluated
for accuracy of identification and validated if it is correct.
Then, records of certain exotics would appear in the public output, encouraging
observers to collect data on such things so we can learn something useful
scientifically.
But, they would not appear in lists so that people who care about countable and
not countable can still compare their lists absent the exotics, if that is
important to them.
Needless to say, the fix is a complicated one because definitions of what is
exotic and what is not varies geographically.
Doug
On Feb 7, 2021, at 8:30 AM, Tim Shelmerdine <tim.spanish.guide@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hello, all.
I beg your pardon if this issue has already been addressed by this group, but
I have a question. I was reading the eBird Best Practice information in the
attempt to find out how to deal with two observations of Swan Goose in
Lincoln County. The best practices state: "Introduced species - you may
report domestic or exotic species if they are known to have established,
self-sustaining populations in that area."
The eBird FAQs state: You may report any unrestrained bird you observe in the
wild. However, please indicate suspected domestic or escaped birds whenever
possible. Note that domestic, exotic, and escaped birds may be marked "Rare"
and/or unconfirmed by our reviewers so these birds do not get confused for
wild, naturally occurring species in our public database. For more
information, see our eBird Rules and Best Practices.
So I marked these observations unconfirmed. When Jen, Hendrik and I discussed
this, I discovered that we had different approaches.
So I am asking the group if we have a standard for dealing with introduced
species. Are we all on the same page as a group? I again apologize if this
has been resolved earlier.
Thank you,
Tim
