Another Soapbox Message
Mike Collins (collins@ram.nrl.navy.mil)
Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:14:30 -0400
Greg's and Tyler's posts have struck a nerve. So let me put
out a "soapbox message" of my own.
It's important to be skeptical about rare bird reports, but
there are times when arrogance comes into play. I've had a
few experiences of the skeptical kind lately regarding my
reports from Wakefield Park. I don't mind skepticism because
it's an important part of the process of verifying reports
as much as possible. I actually expected it because I couldn't
believe some of the birds that kept showing up. I had hoped
that the skeptics would go silent after other birders who
were attracted to Wakefield Park by my reports saw Sedge Wren
and Connecticut, Mourning, and Brewster's Warblers. But then I
saw a MacGillivray's Warbler on Saturday. Having recently
experienced skepticism, I was extremely reluctant to report
this bird. But I did and my report to the hotline was completely
ignored. You'd think it would have at least warranted a few
questions.
How many other reports of MacGillivray's Warblers in this area
have been squelched? I'll bet a fair number of them find their
way to the east coast every year. Good numbers of Mourning and
Connecticut Warblers stray far to the west of their ranges.
About 80 of them have been observed at just one site in California.
Why wouldn't one expect similar numbers of MacGillivray's Warblers
in the east? And if one were to show up, wouldn't Wakefield
Park--which has had 9 Mourning Warblers and 5 Connecticut Warblers
this year--be a reasonable place?
To end on a positive note, I'd like to add that it's been a lot
of fun meeting those of you who have stopped by to check out
Wakefield Park. Hopefully we'll get another front and more good
birds in the next few days.
Mike Collins
Annandale, Virginia
collins@ram.nrl.navy.mil