***Finally, a quick note to all the amazing eBird reviewers out there: Our team recognizes that by generating hundreds of additional eBird checklists, our program adds to the workload of local reviewers. We greatly appreciate all of the time and energy you invest in reviewing local checklists – our research is strengthened by your efforts. Although we work very hard to ensure that our volunteers are collecting high quality data (and we provide many resources and opportunities to support beginner birders), we do recognize that our volunteers sometimes make mistakes or rely too heavily on apps like Merlin Bird ID. If there are any common species identification errors you would like us to address among our volunteers or messages/tips and tricks you would like to pass on, please do reach out. I collaborated directly with eBird reviewers while running the COVID-19 lockdown birding study <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-16406-w> in Seattle, and that was enormously helpful.***
Wishing you all safe and happy birding this summer! Thank you for all you do for our feathered friends. :)
***
Olivia V. Sanderfoot, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Research Associate
La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science
Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
University of California, Los Angeles
