Birding Friends- I have a thought/suggestion that may lend some cohesiveness and action to the many thoughts that have been shared here this past week.
One of the primary reasons we have such great dissent regarding rare bird designations is that we are lacking in hard science. So what if the MOU designated one species a year or so as a target bird by the entire organization? (Perhaps one year is not sufficient data but that could easily be modified). One of our two publications could provide us essential information about this species: suggested pictures, books, and audio materials could be listed and standard methodology of locating said species could be shared amongst our organization. MOU members would then record the hours they spend actually searching for this species (along with other pertinent data, like date, county, time of day, etc.) and submit them on some (as of yet unavailable) standardized reporting form. We accomplish at least three objectives: 1) the organization does real/measureable science, 2) we provide hard data to make better informed decisions regarding species abundance, 3) we all learn about one rare species a year, and in so doing become more competent should we ever encounter that species. (The idea could even be expanded to regional levels. What if Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Iowa birders were all looking for King Rails for the next two years?) The decision to promote, modify or disregard this proposal would be made by the MOU board of directors. Jerry B., do you have room to put this on the March agenda if we get a favorable reply in the next few days? Peder S., do you think the MOURC would endorse such a proposal? Tony H. and Allison J., is this something either of you would want to include in our publications? I would be willing to collect, categorize, and record the data (for the first year/round of this process), and then submit it to one of our publications chairs. My thinking is ideas regarding this proposal should be shared via MOU-net being, if endorsed, it will fall under MOU oversight. Also, so the issue does not continue to clutter our reading, I would kindly ask that your feedback be shared by Feb. 24th. Any individuals wanting to assist in developing this project, please contact me directly. (I am NOT asking if you wish to be involved in data collecting at this time.) Any individuals wanting to "flame me" for cluttering up their bird only list-serve, or promoting a really stupid idea should be advised that my e-mail address has changed and will be made available when Sadam Hussein returns to power. Randy Frederickson Willmar
