Date: 4/16/13 8:41 am
From: Matt Hafner <hafner.matt...>
Subject: [MDBirding] eBird filter settings and Golden-crowned Kinglet
I've seen a lot of comments in recent eBird reports that many people are
surprised that Golden-crowned Kinglets are being flagged right now in many
counties. Several of us eBird reviewers were surprised as well, so we
looked at the data.

First, you may recall that in previous years, the end of April was a mess
with eBird rare bird alerts. We had to set filters based on calendar
month, so the filter developers had to make a choice: Allow Acadian
Flycathers to be reported on April 1 or make everyone click "rare species"
at the end of April to report them. Fortunately, this is no longer an
issue and we can set filters by day.

Last August, eBird developed new filters statewide based on data submitted
to eBird. This wasn't perfect and some of those have been edited, and a
few still need to be edited. Sometimes it's difficult for us to notice a
filter issue until we see a species pop up repeatedly on the Rare Bird
Alert. This was the case with Pectoral Sandpiper this year, it's a regular
March migrant and was getting flagged everywhere!

Back to Golden-crowned Kinglet. This species really is having an above
average April in MD. *http://tinyurl.com/d3ensty *The filters are set to
flag them on either the 14th or 15 April all over the state (except Garrett
where they breed) which, looking at the data, seems about right.
*
*
So while the filter may seem off for this year, "I'm seeing Golden-crowned
Kinglets everywhere, why are they flagged!", the filter is set for an
average year for the species. Right now, it's not feasible for us to adjust
the filters every year for different species depending on local abundance.

Please bear with us as we try to set the filters properly over all of
Maryland and know that things will only get better as time goes on. You
can email any and all filter comments, questions, and suggestions to me.

And enjoy all these mid-April Golden-crowned Kinglets!

Good eBirding!

Matt Hafner
Forest Hill, MD

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