[mou] which is more likely... (long response)

[Paul Hurtado]

Richard,

I have been on now 2 or 3 birding lists at the same time as you, and 
witnessed your very defensive outbursts regarding your observations of 
birds and the (often requested) feedback you get from others on the ID of 
those birds.

I really wish I was visiting Minneapolis for longer, as I would like to go 
out and do some birding with you and some of the other skilled birders 
from this area.  As you have been told before, the VERY BEST way to 
improve is to learn from those that are more skilled birders than you are, 
and who are willing to help you improve (which includes pointing out your 
mistakes!).

Anyway, I just wanted to make a few points, not to try and prod you or 
offend you, but because it would be great to see you move past your 
conflicts over some of the IDs you make, and develop as a more capable 
birder.  So please, read this with an open mind, and when some 
"constructive criticism" can be taken without offense.

1)  We all make mistakes, EVEN GOOD BIRDERS and GOOD PEOPLE.

2)  Many/most birders want others to be OBJECTIVE and CRITICAL of their 
own observations, so that birds aren't mis-identified -- especially rare 
or uncommon birds.  Its just a simple fact of life we all have to deal 
with!  If you saw something that *MIGHT* have been a noteworthy bird, be 
honest about all the details and don't jump to any conclusions... just 
present the facts and let people decide for themselves.

3)  The thoughtful criticism of others is YOUR BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY to 
reflect on your own behavior, abilities, and asiprations.  What you 
recognize about yourself will help GUIDE YOU to improve your birding 
skills.

4)  IF YOU THINK SOMEONE IS YELLING AT YOU OR CRITICIZING YOU, DON'T START 
YELLING AND CRITICIZING BACK!  Come to the table ready to have a 
level-headed discussion and be prepared to AT LEAST ENTERTAIN the idea 
that in the given situation THEY MIGHT BE RIGHT, AND YOU MIGHT BE WRONG 
WRONG (see #1 above).  In the end, you just might learn something of 
value.

Your question:  "Is there ANYTHING that one can do when they report 
something that will guarantee that they won't get yelled at or 
criticized?"

People have told you this before, Richard.  I get the impression that you 
didn't listen to the answers, or you didn't take the steps to take those 
suggestions into practice.

In short, anything uncommon needs to be seen well enough and DESCRIBED 
OBJECTIVELY and WELL ENOUGH to identify it as something uncommon or rare 
and rule out other likely possibilities.  Without good enough views or 
photos to support a solid ID, one should be clear to others on what you 
DID see, what you think about the observation, and don't force the ID. 
Often times, you just have to accept that "I don't know what that bird 
was" is the only real conclusion, and move on to the next bird that comes 
your way.

One great exercise to improve this ability is taking better care to note 
important details on common birds, and to communicate those details 
effectively in writing, in pictures, etc.  Sketching common birds is a 
GREAT way to do this, and helps train your eye and your brain to notice 
and remember important details.  E.g., if you saw the small dark bill on 
the bird, that is because you know bill color is important in making IDs. 
But did you notice the crown color or contrasting feather groups on the 
head and neck?  Any wing bars?  Such details would help pick out a Gray 
Jay over other species, and PRACTICE DESCRIBING THEM ON COMMON BIRDS is 
the best way to ensure you'll notice those details.

Without a good description, it seems like you are forcing the ID based on 
what you want the bird to be - not what the bird actually looked like. 
We've all done this, so we all are cautious to help others avoid this 
pitfall!!!  In this case you got warned against doing that -- nothing 
personal, it was just some appropriate and well intended cautionary 
advice.  Hopefully, looking back at all this, you recognize that.

Richard, I know you have had bad experiences with BRCs in the past, but 
instead of dwelling on it wouldn't you be happier if you were focused 
instead on learning what makes for really excellent documentation and then 
getting in the habit of reporting good solid observations that everyone 
can be happy with, so you can begin to move past those bad experiences?

Anyway, I'll end with a few suggestions for anyone to take their birding 
up a notch.  I'm sure many others can come up with equal or better 
suggestions, but these are some that have helped me or friends of mine:

  - Bird with other people, both "better" and "worse" birders than you.

  - Read some good "how to bird" books like Sibley's "Birding Basics."
    Even if 90% is familiar, you'll reinforce good habits and learn
    some of that other 10%.

  - Pick a good "study group" of birds w/ a good book to guide you:
    + Raptors of E./W. North America (Wheeler Guides) -- now in paperback
    + Sparrows and Buntings of North America -- other better guides may exist?
    + Gulls of the Americas and/or Gulls of North America, Europe and Asia
    + The Shorebird Guide
    + Warblers, etc...
    (some good videos also exist, as well as audio CDs, etc.)

    Once you learn to see the variation in details within a group, you'll
    be able to more easily pick up on important details in other groups.

  - Go beyond species and identify birds to age, plumages, subspecies, etc.
    + And you thought Red-tailed Hawks had lost their flare?  Ha!!  ;)

  - Study behavior and basic natural history of common birds.
    + What exactly do they eat, and when?
    + Where do they migrate and stop over?
    + At feeders, who is dominant to who (between & w/in species)?

  - Listing.  I know, its got its downfalls, but it does give you the
    motivatioin to get out and visit those places you never quite
    made it to, and to try and ID those easily avoided species like
    gulls, sparrows, empids, fall warblers, etc.

Good birding folks,
Paul Hurtado