[texbirds] Re: e-bird question- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
- From: "Mel Cooksey" <cooksey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <spcgraham.floyd@xxxxxxxxx>, <MBB22222@xxxxxxx>, <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2013 13:46:01 -0600
A couple of points regarding the eBird discussion:
"If data doesn't show up in a timely fashion..."
This is NOT a reviewer issue. It is a CONTRIBUTOR
issue. Eric has already commented on this, quite
correctly. Here's how it works: contributor enters
a bird that is outside the filter. Reviewer sends
thoughtful, considerate email to contributor requesting
additional info and gently explaining why it is needed.
What's next? Crickets. The majority don't respond.
As a reviewer, I wait an appropriate time then invalidate.
Sometimes the responses I DO receive are days, weeks
later.
If the record is a Rufous-capped Warbler at Hilltop in
Corpus, I'll chase out there, all the while lighting up the
phone lines. But most reviewers don't have the time.
Neither do I, but I go anyway. But I don't validate until
it is confirmed. Once in awhile, we get a rarity with great
details with either strong field notes or a photo. Those
go to the express lane and get validated right now. But
about 25% of my requests get answered. I assume some
of these emails go to spam, some are too busy, some
may be sort of embarrased that they may have entered
something incorrectly, some maybe upset over the whole
thing. I hope they get over it.
Regarding the issue of "more guards"....
That would be great, but WHO are they? The eBird
reviewers in Texas are some of the best birders in the
state, but there is more to it than that; they also are some
of the VERY few who have a keen understanding of
their local distribution and status. The pool from which
to select those folks is VERY shallow. And, 21st-century
birding does not teach beginning and intermediate birders
status and distribution, because it is not cash-register
friendly. So, the pool is not filling, it is leaking due to
age attrition.
"The issue of the quality of data is purely statistical, and
the math heads behind ebird can best work that out."
If you have a math formula that will solve eBird issues,
we'll all try to learn it. But, the problems that we are
enduring are HUMAN issues. They are not specific to
eBird; humans are gloriously imperfect. But, eBird
is attracting HUGE numbers of beginners. And, they
seem to be learning. And, they seem to like eBird. It
seems to add to their purpose in birding. And their
contributions are adding to the knowledge within field
ornithology.
I'm still an eBird critic. But I'm seeing progress. There
will be a day when we will have a better handle on
some of these issues. And I think that Texas seems
to be leading the pack in processing and reviewing
eBird data.
Mel Cooksey
Corpus Christi
----- Original Message -----
From: "Graham Floyd" <spcgraham.floyd@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <MBB22222@xxxxxxx>; <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 11:59 AM
Subject: [texbirds] Re: e-bird question- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
> Hi all,
> I really liked Mark Bartosiks Common Tern post. A friend had taken a
> picture of what we initially thought was a Common Tern, but after your
> post
> I think it is just indeterminate. The result was I went back to my ebird
> checklist and removed the Common Tern. The birding community here is a
> great resource to improve our birding skills.
>
> I strongly disagree with Mark on the timeliness issue regarding ebird. If
> data doesn't show up in a timely fashion, user satisfaction drops and
> ebird
> will lose users. What motivates us to use ebird for example? Just the
> science and the thought we are contributing to a project? Or perhaps we
> gain something from ebird such as its powerful listing services? Imagine
> being able to submit data but then not see that data. I love birding but
> I
> know I am too busy to contribute to a project from which I reap no
> rewards.
>
> The issue of the quality of data is purely statistical, and the math heads
> behind ebird can best work that out. Growing ebird means including all
> level of observers. I would think that the extra data input more than
> outweighs the drop in quality from mis-identifying birds.
>
> Eric is right, more reviewers would be a much better solution to improve
> quality at this stage in the project.
>
> Ebird needs to be inclusive not exclusive. Beginning birders should be
> encouraged to use ebird.
>
> V/R,
> Graham Floyd
> San Antonio
>
>
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