Date: 4/28/25 11:39 am From: Paul Roisen via groups.io <roisenp1950...> Subject: Re: [NEBirds] eBird Checklist protocols!!!
Thanks, Don. We all have our little quirks and this is a reminder to
myself as well to do the best we can without spending excessive time or
time we do not have and move forward.
God Bless.
*Paul O. Roisen*
*Woodbury County, IA*
*Mobile 712-301-2817*
On Sun, Apr 27, 2025 at 10:06 AM Shirley Maas via groups.io <dtmsem2006=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> Well said.
>
> I enjoy making an estimate of how many I see.
>
> Another Biasis I discovered is I tend to undercount common species and
> count uncommon species more accurately
>
> Don Màas
>
>
> “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government then you
> are doomed to live under the rules of fools.
> Plato
> “You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of
> reality.”
>
> Don & Shirley Maas
> The Maas’s have migrated to the Valley of the Sun in Mesa, AZ from
> Choctaw, Ok for the winter.
>
> On Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:06 AM, Paul Roisen via groups.io
> <roisenp1950...> wrote:
>
> Greeting to everyone from Sioux City, Iowa. The location of a crazy
> birder who is as far away from the birding locations in IOWA and in
> NEBRASKA and in SOUTH DAKOTA.
>
> I have recently started seeing a good number of check list from the three
> states that have ALL the species that the were listed marked as "1".
> Having ask a number people I know why they have started using only the
> number 1 for birds seen: the response was that sometimes they could not
> ever estimate the numbers so they put down a "1". Others told me that X
> was not very precise and others said it was just easier than county so "1"
> was the number they put in. Several indicated that X seemed wrong so "1"
> seemed better.
>
> eBird was established to scientifically record numbers of birds and
> patterns of migration and many other important details to provide data
> regarding endangered species. changes in migration and ranges where species
> are found.
> That said, eBird has a firm protocol for completing checklists so that
> the number of birds of each species you list on your checklist have value
> to researchers. While you are not required to follow protocol it would be
> very helpful to Cornell/eBird research.
> If you do not follow protocols your ebird checklist will NOT be of any
> help to the scientific study!
>
> Protocols:
> #1 "1" means 1 bird and 2 means two birds etc.
> #2 If you are unsure about whether you sad 16 or 19 of something,
> PUT DOWN your best guess such as "18" that is close enough
> #3 If there were large numbers of the species but you give your best
> "estimate" as "200" or "5000" or ....
> reasonable estimates are better than 1 or X
> #4 X Use the X for large numbers of birds which you do not believe
> you can make any kind of a reasonable estimate.
>
> The ebird reviewers would very much appreciate *your help* by using the
> proper protocols regarding this portion of your checklist.
>
> Checklists that contain all "1's" or all "X's" will show up on your
> personal list but will not be included for reporting purposes.
>
> We realize that using only "1s" is easier but most people and the ebird
> review will likely discount your checklist "out of hand".
>
> Thanks.
>
> God Bless you in your birding endeavors.
>
> *Paul O. Roisen*
> *Woodbury County, IA*
> *Mobile 712-301-2817*
>
>
>
>
