Re: [mou-net] Misidentification
Some of my thoughts on this rather deep topic brought up by Pastor Al:
If you're not sure from the get-go about what you've seen, you're LESS
likely to make a mistaken ID, I would think. Your mind is still open and
gathering evidence, asking questions, ruling this in, that out.
A beginner is more likely to admit they have made an error, because they
know that they don't know much, and be OK with that. So in the end, if they
get it right, perhaps with a little help (better yet, when they learn
something more about accurate ID), is that still a missed ID?
Mistaken IDs are most likely to occur if your confidence or eagerness (The
lure of the list) exceeds your ability, in my opinion. In these cases, how
would you know when you have mis-identified something?
To deter that from occurring you will probably have to fight off that human
tendency to want to put everything in its proper "box" as soon as possible,
so you feel that *you know that you know* what it is and be done with
it. Because as soon as you're "sure", you stop the ID process, thinking you
have it all finished. Moments later new evidence may present itself to
change your mind, but by then you may miss it, because the "case is closed".
Leaving a bird unidentified is mighty hard to do sometimes.
As for the lure of the list, if you're more concerned about checking off
your checks, you stop the ID process as quickly as possible and move on.
But was your perception (and thus your ID) accurate or wishful thinking?
("making it so" and not even realizing it)
Here's where the real problems develop; How clear and accurate are your
perceptions, of color, shape, and movement quality? How about many of the
'relative' characteristics we often rely on to clinch an ID: larger,
bulkier, lankier, thicker, thinner, smaller, slower, etc.,etc. etc.?
Experience is the best ally here.
I try not to be too sure too soon in some situations where I know I'm weak.
Shorebirds and sparrows, for example. (A birders got to know his
limitations)
Therefore, double-checking your perceptions and assumptions, along with a
lot of knowledge and experience, is required. 2nd opinions - unassuming
please - are a big help too.
I am frequently double-checking my own perceptions of things - internally
"making the call" on the ID of birds, cars, and all sorts of stuff and then
following up to see if I was actually right. Over time, under varying
conditions, it hones your ability to make better and better observations
faster and account for varying factors of the moment, like lighting, angle
of view, partial views, etc.
In an avocation largely dependent on observation skills and honesty (to
self and others), a desire to discover your own blind spots and weaknesses
and improve your knowledge base and perceptive skills makes for a better
birder.
--
Sincerely,
Jim Ryan
Saint Paul's Westside
One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between Man and
Nature shall not be broken. -* Leo Tolstoy*
A well governed appetite is the greater part of liberty. - *Lucius Annaeus
Seneca*
On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 7:26 AM, Al Schirmacher wrote:
> Wonder what the field misidentification rate might be for the average
> birder?
>
> And where might the highest rates be? Gulls? Empids? Hybrids? Heard
> warblers?
>
> Certain humility needed in this area:)
>
> Al Schirmacher
> Princeton, MN
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net
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>
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Re: [mou-net] Sunday in Aitkin County, Snowy Refound
The Snowy Owl is still where Warren reported it. Great Gray not refound. Curt - Original Message - From: "Warren" To: Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 7:39 PM Subject: [mou-net] Sunday in Aitkin County This afternoon, I birded around the county. The SNOWY OWL that has been north of Aitkin is still there. I found it about a mile east of the intersection of C.R.1 and C.R.22 north of Aitkin, sitting on a pile of hay bales. I found a GREAT GRAY OWL on Pietz'a road 2/10ths of a mile north of C.R.18. On the snowmobile road south of Pietz's road, I found a small flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, 3 GRAY JAYS, 1 BOREAL CHICKADEE and lots of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. Also seen: 2 flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS on C.R.1, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, and 5 NORTHERN SHRIKES. Warren Nelson Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Belated Reports (and some current)
Hello MN birders! On Jan. 16, my son and I spotted a Peregrine Falcon on a light post above Hwy 36 in Roseville, between Lexington and Hamline. We both looked up, then at each other to confirm. Yep, we both saw it!! And then just down the road closer to Rosedale (probably to their dismay) were the Red-tailed Hawk pair that spends most of their year along that stretch of 36. On Jan. 26, I saw a perfect light phase juvenile Rough-legged Hawk flying over Main Street/Hwy 14/Hwy 242 in Blaine, between Sunset and Lexington. I say juvenile bcs the dark under-wing patches were surrounded with white, there was no darker leading edge like there would be in an adult bird. What a lovely bird that was! Last week I spotted a Brown Creeper in the yard. It's been here frequently since then (probably been here all the time, I just was blind before last week) This is probably the first time one has stayed all winter I'll have to check my notes. There are 2 adult Bald Eagles that are spending the winter very near the Osprey platform on Lake Drive west of I-35 about 3/4 mile or so. They commonly perch at the very top of a large tree very near the canoe access parking lot. We see them at least 2-3 times a week. Nice! Owls are calling nightly!! Both Great Horned and Barred, different directions from the house. Today there were two Trumpeter Swans on the river below the outflow dam from Peltier Lake, in Centerville, visible from the bridge and parking lot off Cty 14. Holly Peirson Columbus, SE Anoka Co. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Red-winged blackbird - Lake Harriet
My wife and I spotted a single red-winged blackbird just on the lake side of Roberts Bird Sanctuary today around 3pm. Definitely a surprise for February. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Great Horned Owls - Likely nest site - Hennepin County - Minnetonka - w/photos
Hi - On a tip from a co-worker, I located a Great Horned Owl sitting in the bowl at the top of a hollowed out dead tree. A pair of GHO's have nested at this exact spot on and off over the past several years. The dead tree is located just 30 feet from the road in woodsy area at the NW corner of Elmwood and Hillside in Minnetonka. I've tagged the exact location on the map in my eBird report submitted today. Since this is a likely nesting spot and is very close to the road, I advise approach with care.Photos here:http://www.flickr.com//photos/rburmaster/sets/72157629133121205/show/ Best regards,Bob BurmasterMinneapolis, MN Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Admiral Road feeders UPDATE (spared for now)
Hi all, I just chatted with a manager with Public Works 6th District Virginia. He talked with the interim supervisor and THE TREES WITH THE FEEDERS WILL BE SPARED! He said I should contact the District Manager who is away until Monday...and I will do that. He was the manager for the area during the 04-05 invasion and appreciates the birds and birders. And was also in on the planning meetings that took place after that. Awareness and appreciation of the birders, photographers, tourists who come to the Sax-Zim Bog is growing! Sparky Stensaas 2515 Garthus Road Wrenshall, MN 55797 218.341.3350 cell sparkystens...@hotmail.com www.SaxZim.org Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Admiral Road feeders threatened?
Hi all, I just got a call from Tim Torson, an Ohio birder, saying that the roadside clearing crew up on Admiral Road was fast approaching the famous feeders. >From the looks of what's been done further south on Admiral, the trees where >the feeders hang will probably be cut down. This is the St. Louis County Public Works 6th District so I have left messages with both the Cotton and Virginia offices (no answer at any posted phone numbers) emphasizing the importance of these feeders to birders, photographers, Friends of Sax-Zim Bog and the Toivola-Meadowlands Development Board's Sax-Zim Bog Winter Bird Festival. THIS IS NOT THE MEADOWLANDS OFFICE'S AREA...I already talked with them and they told me to call the Cotton and Virginia office. This would be very unfortunate as the site is quite scenic and famous across the country as the best place to find and photograph Boreal Chickadees...And the Sax-Zim Bog Winter Bird Festival is fast approaching. If someone gets this email who happens to be up in the bog now, please head over there and see if the feeders can be saved. Sparky Stensaas 2515 Garthus Road Wrenshall, MN 55797 218.341.3350 cell sparkystens...@hotmail.com www.SaxZim.org Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Field Trips
Jim Ryan is the new Field Trip Chair for MOU. I will still be leading trips, four are below, two of which are MOU and require registration, two of which are Sherburne refuge trips and don't. > > * International Migratory Bird Day Tour (Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge), > Saturday, May 12th, 8:00-11:00 AM, meet at Sherburne Refuge's headquarters. > No registration required. Field trip leader, Al Schirmacher. > > * MOU Sherburne Refuge Tour, Tuesday, May 15th. 7:30 AM, meet at Sherburne > Refuge's Mahnomen trail. Trip limited to 20 registrants. Field trip leader, > Al Schirmacher. We will cover three trails (two hiking, one auto tour), > emphasizing spring migrants/warblers (we often break 20 species), as well as > resident nesters like Lark Sparrow. Register with Al directly at > pasto...@princetonfreechurch.net > > * MOU Highway 169 Big Day Tour, Thursday, May 17th. Bit of an unusual tour. > Meet at 3:30 AM in Rice Lake Refuge parking lot along Highway 65. Trip > limited to 10 birders willing to do a Big Day together in 3-4 vehicles. Trip > leader, Al Schirmacher. We will cover Aitkin, Mille Lacs & Sherburne > Counties, from Aitkin County 18 south to Sherburne Refuge, generally along > the 169 corridor. Anticipate seeing and hearing 130 + - species. > Anticipated completion time, 8:00 PM. Although we will not sprint from > location to location, and are not trying to break any records, this is for > those with the passion & stamina & relational skills to do a Big Day > together. Minnesota park stickers will probably be necessary. We start > early to hear Yellow Rails, LeConte's and maybe Sharp-tailed Sparrows. > Register with Al directly at pasto...@princetonfreechurch.net > > * Summer Bird Tour (Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge), Saturday, June 2nd, > 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Meet at Sherburne Refuge's Blue Hill Trail. No > registration required. Includes both walking and driving. Enjoy Sherburne > Refuge's resident, singing species. Trip leader, Al Schirmacher. Thanks to Jim for his work, and for the opportunity to enjoy birds together. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Varied Thrush
Crow Wing and Morrison Counties, Bird seen today by Warren Nelson and Butch Ukura at approx 8:00AM. From the Junction of Crow Wing Cty Rds 18&23 go south 16.2 miles on Cty Rd 23. There is a log sided house on left side of road where the Varied Thrush has been visiting feeders for approx two weeks. This location is in Morrison County. Joe and Grace Dembouski welcome birders but please call ahead 320-277-3832. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
