[mou] promoting harmony?

[fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us]

Birding Friends-

I have a thought/suggestion that may lend some cohesiveness and action to
the many thoughts that have been shared here this past week.

One of the primary reasons we have such great dissent regarding rare bird
designations is that we are lacking in hard science.  So what if the MOU
designated one species a year or so as a target bird by the entire
organization? (Perhaps one year is not sufficient data but that could
easily be modified).
One of our two publications could provide us essential information about
this species:  suggested pictures, books, and audio materials could be
listed and standard methodology of locating said species could be shared
amongst our organization.  MOU members would then record the hours they
spend actually searching for this species (along with other pertinent data,
like date, county, time of day, etc.) and submit them on some (as of yet
unavailable) standardized reporting form.  We accomplish at least three
objectives:  1) the organization does real/measureable science, 2) we
provide hard data to make better informed decisions regarding species
abundance, 3) we all learn about one rare species a year, and in so doing
become more competent should we ever encounter that species.  (The idea
could even be expanded to regional levels.  What if Minnesota, Wisconsin,
South Dakota and Iowa birders were all looking for King Rails for the next
two years?)

The decision to promote, modify or disregard this proposal would be made by
the MOU board of directors.   Jerry B., do you have room to put this on the
March agenda if we get a favorable reply in the next few days?  Peder S.,
do you think the MOURC would endorse such a proposal?  Tony H. and Allison
J., is this something either of you would want to include in our
publications?

I would be willing to collect, categorize, and record the data (for the
first year/round of this process), and then submit it to one of our
publications chairs.

My thinking is ideas regarding this proposal should be shared via MOU-net
being, if endorsed, it will fall under MOU oversight.  Also, so the issue
does not continue to clutter our reading, I would kindly ask that your
feedback be shared by Feb. 24th.

Any individuals wanting to assist in developing this project, please
contact me directly. (I am NOT asking if you wish to be involved in data
collecting at this time.)

Any individuals wanting to "flame me" for cluttering up their bird only
list-serve, or promoting a really stupid idea should be advised that my
e-mail address has changed and will be made available when Sadam Hussein
returns to power.

Randy Frederickson
Willmar