Hi Leslie,
It's a good question, and one we've discussed off-line a couple times recently. The short answer is please include all exotics in your reports. Thanks to you and Joe for taking the time to get the documentation photo of the Nutmeg Mannikin and for embedding it in your report.
Here's a little more detail, some of which I'm reusing from a recent off-line discussion. eBird has the unenviable challenge of balancing science and birding. The problem is that science needs to see the full picture of changing avifauna, while birders don't want exotics cluttering up the lists. It's tempting, of course, for us to say that obviously science is more important. While few would try to argue with that, eBird collects far more data than it could otherwise by harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of the birding community. They've made the tough choice - and I think the right one - to try to walk that line.
The current solution is less than ideal, but it's what we have. For now we ask observers to include everything, then we as reviewers invalidate "exotics" pending a solution that provides the best of both worlds. Some species, such as Mute Swan, Eurasian Collared-Dove, and Monk Parakeet (and of course House Sparrow, Rock Pigeon, etc.), are established enough regionally that we have standing guidance to approve normally. In the case of a "fake" Mute Swan we might "accept" it, but mark it as introduced/exotic. For a Eurasian Greenfinch, we say "interesting" and then reluctantly invalidate it as an exotic per our current marching orders. The eventual solution will provide more versatility, allowing reviewers to mark which species show up on the state list. My favorite idea is to have an addendum area below the normal bar chart specifically for exotic species. They will also allow users to decide which species to count and not count on their lists.
With regard to the current interim approach, remember that nothing invalidated is ever actually gone. A researcher interested in all U.S. greenfinch or Nutmeg Mannikin reports could search them all, including the invalidated records. I suspect they'll find a solution that works for everyone in the not-too-distant future, as the subject comes up regularly.
A final note on eBird listing minutiae: When you report a bird like Nutmeg Mannikin or Egyptian Goose in Maryland, even if it is invalidated, it shows up in your Top 100 type list totals. If it bothers anyone that they're included in your list, my recommended workaround is to list the exotic species in your report-level comments. Then, when eBird later offers the more flexible solution, you can download your full eBird data and search for the records to add them back in with the "do not count" option. The only other downside of including them now is that your fierce listing competitors might scorn your recent addition of Indian Peafowl or Swan Goose to your state list. I personally don't have strong feelings on the subject of countability, but one way or another, we have to collect the data. We can't magically present the story of the unexpected rise of the Nutmeg Mannikin as an abundant statewide breeder 15 years from now if we throw away all the data.
Thanks!
b
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland
http://www.billhubick.com
>________________________________
> From: Leslie Starr <>
>To:
>Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2011 10:14 AM
>Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Nutmeg mannikin
>
>We finally realized we should try to get photos of the NUTMEG MANNIKIN, which we have now done. Luckily, Keith was still there and put us right on the bird. The light was in the wrong direction, but documentary photos were obtained and will be posted this evening.
>
>Do we put this on eBird? There is a flock of jungle fowl there, too.
>
>Leslie Starr & Joe Turner
>Baltimore
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