Re: Mistakes, flubs, and other stomach-turners
Thomas Stock (TSTOCK@FMSHRC.GOV)
Thu, 24 Sep 1998 12:17:38 -0400
Some folks on a pelagic off Hatteras several years ago got
all aflutter over a flock of royal terns - at which many of the more
experienced birders scoffed. But those of us who were aflutter
did not pay any attention to the scoffers, and lucky we didn't,
since in with the terns was a Brown Booby. No one scoffed
at that one! Which, by the way, hung around long enough for
everyone to get an eye-feast.
Tom Stock, who hopes he will never scoff, and if he ever finds
himself scoffing, hopes he has the fortitude to wear a hair shirt
for a few months! And who also suspects every birder alive
has one of these stories, sad to say....
>>> <BlkVulture@aol.com> 09/24/98 11:33AM >>>
I wagered a faily important body part on a jaeger last summer off Hatteras.
The boat went slightly off course to see the bird. Unfortunately it was a
shearwater. I still have the body part. I guess the guy with the bucket and
knife decided I was too big.
I do agree, calling out the wrong bird sure beats everyone missing the bird.
However, I will certainly make a much bigger effort to see that others
feelings are not hurt when they mis-identify something. I find it rather sad
that there are people that miss out on birding opportunities because of a fear
that they will embarrass themselves.
Todd Day