The biggest problem with the GBBC is that there are so
many people who feed birds who participate in the
count but don't know the difference between common
species. The number of Red-headed Woodpeckers is just
one of the ID issues. Almost all of these reports must
be Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Hey, it's got a red cap so
it must be a Red-headed Woodpecker!

Other issues involve Purple vs. House Finch vs. Pine
Siskin, the Nuthatches, particularly Brown-headed,
gulls and sparrows. The numbers of American Tree
Sparrows reported is staggering.

It also appears that a lot of skilled observers, many
who post routinely to MDOsprey, aren't reporting their
birds. However, the GBBC is still in its infancy and
as it evolves, the data can only become stronger. So,
next year, submit your data. Or, if you have data from
this year, get it in today since today is the
deadline!

Tyler Bell

California, MD

--- Elaine Hendricks <> wrote:

> I want to echo Jeff Shenot's thoughts on the value
> of the GBBC. 
> I participated for the first time this year and
> enjoyed it.  It certainly 
> does seem to be a fun and interesting project which
> ought to get 
> more people watching birds.  At the same time, I am
> glad to know 
> that someone is on the lookout for more questionable
> claims 
> (like all of those ravens!).
> 
> 
> Elaine Hendricks
> Greenbelt, MD  (PG County)
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> --
> you @ usa.com
> is available and 170 other free domains.
> Sign up at www.mail.com
> 



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
http://new.mail.yahoo.com