Re: [nysbirds-l] The NYSBirds List
How about a warning in the subject line that the post includes politics. This is one place I had hoped to be able to get away from it. Jeanne In a message dated 12/1/2016 9:06:11 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, trachtenb...@amsllp.com writes: It seems that in reporting, like life, one man's ceiling is another man's floor. While I do know how to use the "delete" key, filtering is beyond my computer skill set. However, in the last week alone didn't we all see more annoying "Black Friday", "Cyber Monday", and "Giving Tuesday" emails in our inboxes than we see "annoying," to some at least, NYSBird posts like this one in a month? As to birds, today before the sun could warm things at Croton Point Park, I managed little more than mourning doves, mallards, Canada geese and a few common sparrows -- no "good" let alone "rare" birds.. However, such "unworthy" reporting species seemed apropos as our Kakistocracy takes hold. Indeed, with S. Palin and Linda McMahon in consideration perhaps the Hulkster and Rowdy Roddy Piper are on deck. And to round out the craziness I stopped to say hello to two CBS TV crews this morning assigned to cover, for what purpose they could not exactly say, an alleged single rabid coyote at a condo complex in Ossining. Fair and balanced bird reporting please. L. Trachtenberg Ossining -Original Message- From: bounce-121044984-10490...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-121044984-10490...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 10:28 PM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: [nysbirds-l] The NYSBirds List Hi everyone, In theory there are two ways to reform the content of this listserv: (1) discourage posts that are less relevant; and (2) encourage posts that are more relevant. But given the very diverse sentiments expressed here in recent weeks, it's clear that people simply disagree about what is relevant. But criticizing certain kinds of posts is doubly harmful: not only is it demonstrably ineffective in reducing the frequency of the unwanted posts, whatever they may be in a particular instance, but it also discourages contributions from newer participants and those who don't appreciate being criticized. In other words, this ineffective tactic inadvertently conflicts with and damages the prospects for the only other means of improving the forum. I agree with those who have emphasized that neither the overall volume of reports, nor the proportion of what any one individual might regard as chaff, is ever great enough to discourage me from sifting this site every day for items of personal interest. These considerations came to mind recently when I overheard some Long Island birders debating whether to chase an Ash-throated Flycatcher (to me very rare) vs. "the Red Crossbill" (to me periodically ubiquitous). At this stage in my life, I'd much rather read a post from Tim Healy or Steve Walter about the tempo and mode of a day's migration than a how-to guide to chasing "the Red Crossbill." But I understand that some newer birders might actually have seen more Ash-throated Flycatchers than Red Crossbills, even though this is utterly contrary to my own development as a birder. And all of this is what makes birding, and NYSBirds, so wonderful--not only can we find how-to information for chasing (arguably) rare birds, but we are also offered insights into other people's perspectives and values. Please post more! Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] The NYSBirds List
How about a warning in the subject line that the post includes politics. This is one place I had hoped to be able to get away from it. Jeanne In a message dated 12/1/2016 9:06:11 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, trachtenb...@amsllp.com writes: It seems that in reporting, like life, one man's ceiling is another man's floor. While I do know how to use the "delete" key, filtering is beyond my computer skill set. However, in the last week alone didn't we all see more annoying "Black Friday", "Cyber Monday", and "Giving Tuesday" emails in our inboxes than we see "annoying," to some at least, NYSBird posts like this one in a month? As to birds, today before the sun could warm things at Croton Point Park, I managed little more than mourning doves, mallards, Canada geese and a few common sparrows -- no "good" let alone "rare" birds.. However, such "unworthy" reporting species seemed apropos as our Kakistocracy takes hold. Indeed, with S. Palin and Linda McMahon in consideration perhaps the Hulkster and Rowdy Roddy Piper are on deck. And to round out the craziness I stopped to say hello to two CBS TV crews this morning assigned to cover, for what purpose they could not exactly say, an alleged single rabid coyote at a condo complex in Ossining. Fair and balanced bird reporting please. L. Trachtenberg Ossining -Original Message- From: bounce-121044984-10490...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-121044984-10490...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 10:28 PM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: [nysbirds-l] The NYSBirds List Hi everyone, In theory there are two ways to reform the content of this listserv: (1) discourage posts that are less relevant; and (2) encourage posts that are more relevant. But given the very diverse sentiments expressed here in recent weeks, it's clear that people simply disagree about what is relevant. But criticizing certain kinds of posts is doubly harmful: not only is it demonstrably ineffective in reducing the frequency of the unwanted posts, whatever they may be in a particular instance, but it also discourages contributions from newer participants and those who don't appreciate being criticized. In other words, this ineffective tactic inadvertently conflicts with and damages the prospects for the only other means of improving the forum. I agree with those who have emphasized that neither the overall volume of reports, nor the proportion of what any one individual might regard as chaff, is ever great enough to discourage me from sifting this site every day for items of personal interest. These considerations came to mind recently when I overheard some Long Island birders debating whether to chase an Ash-throated Flycatcher (to me very rare) vs. "the Red Crossbill" (to me periodically ubiquitous). At this stage in my life, I'd much rather read a post from Tim Healy or Steve Walter about the tempo and mode of a day's migration than a how-to guide to chasing "the Red Crossbill." But I understand that some newer birders might actually have seen more Ash-throated Flycatchers than Red Crossbills, even though this is utterly contrary to my own development as a birder. And all of this is what makes birding, and NYSBirds, so wonderful--not only can we find how-to information for chasing (arguably) rare birds, but we are also offered insights into other people's perspectives and values. Please post more! Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] County to close parks
For anyone who hasn't heard.. Jeanne We need your help! Westchester County Plans to CLOSE Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary and 5 other Nature Centers, and lay off the Curators/Naturalists. As you may be aware, Westchester County's proposed 2012 budget includes 210 layoffs and further cuts across many departments. A large percentage of these layoffs and cuts have come from the Conservation Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, including the closing of all six nature centers and cancellation of all wildlife monitoring, habitat maintenance, and nature education programs. This Division is entrusted with protecting the natural resources of County parkland, and these layoffs further erode environmental programs that have already been reduced. Further information on the budget can be found here: _http://www3.westchestergov.com/news/3102-astorino-proposes-2012-budget-with-zero-increase-in-county-tax-levy_ (http://www3.westchestergov.com/news/3102-astorino-proposes-2012-budget-with-zero-increase-in-county-tax-levy) Here are the list of nature centers whose buildings will close and whose staff will be eliminated if this budget is adopted: -- Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, NY -- Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, NY -- Cranberry Lake Preserve in West Harrison, NY -- Croton Point Nature Center in Croton-on-Hudson, NY -- Trailside Nature Museum (Pound Ridge) in Cross River, NY -- Lenior Preserve in Yonkers, NY We urge you to please make every effort to attend one of the public budget hearings listed below to let your concerns with these budget cuts be known. The Southern Westchester County Regional Public Hearing on the 2012 Budget will take place on Tuesday, November 22 at 7pm at New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Road, New Rochelle. The Northern Westchester County Regional Public Hearing on the budget will take place on Wednesday, November 30 at 7pm at Somers High School, 120 Primrose Street, Lincolndale. The third and final Regional Public Hearing on the 2012 Budget will take place on Tuesday, December 6 at 7pm in the Board Of Legislators Chambers on the 8th Floor of the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains. Please take a moment to call, e-mail and/or send a hard copy letter to all of your legislators NOW - before you forget! Their address is: 800 Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601 Please use the attached letter as a template, and feel free to change it and personalize it - particularly the first sentence. You can also e-mail your letters. Sending both hard copy and e-mail letters would be the best option. For a directory of legislators please go to: _http://westchesterlegislators.com/contact-us.html_ (http://westchesterlegislators.com/contact-us.html) Please also send a letter to the County Executive, Robert Astorino at: _ce@westchestergov.com_ (mailto:c...@westchestergov.com)or _http://www3.westchestergov.com/home/e-mail-the-ce_ (http://www3.westchestergov.com/home/e-mail-the-ce) and hard copy to: County Executive, 900 Michaelian Building, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains, NY 10601 Please send a letter to the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Conservation Kathleen O'Connor at: _parksinfo@westchestergov.com_ (mailto:parksi...@westchestergov.com) and hard copy to: 25 Moore Ave., Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary = -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] County to close parks
For anyone who hasn't heard.. Jeanne We need your help! Westchester County Plans to CLOSE Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary and 5 other Nature Centers, and lay off the Curators/Naturalists. As you may be aware, Westchester County's proposed 2012 budget includes 210 layoffs and further cuts across many departments. A large percentage of these layoffs and cuts have come from the Conservation Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, including the closing of all six nature centers and cancellation of all wildlife monitoring, habitat maintenance, and nature education programs. This Division is entrusted with protecting the natural resources of County parkland, and these layoffs further erode environmental programs that have already been reduced. Further information on the budget can be found here: _http://www3.westchestergov.com/news/3102-astorino-proposes-2012-budget-with-zero-increase-in-county-tax-levy_ (http://www3.westchestergov.com/news/3102-astorino-proposes-2012-budget-with-zero-increase-in-county-tax-levy) Here are the list of nature centers whose buildings will close and whose staff will be eliminated if this budget is adopted: -- Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, NY -- Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, NY -- Cranberry Lake Preserve in West Harrison, NY -- Croton Point Nature Center in Croton-on-Hudson, NY -- Trailside Nature Museum (Pound Ridge) in Cross River, NY -- Lenior Preserve in Yonkers, NY We urge you to please make every effort to attend one of the public budget hearings listed below to let your concerns with these budget cuts be known. The Southern Westchester County Regional Public Hearing on the 2012 Budget will take place on Tuesday, November 22 at 7pm at New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Road, New Rochelle. The Northern Westchester County Regional Public Hearing on the budget will take place on Wednesday, November 30 at 7pm at Somers High School, 120 Primrose Street, Lincolndale. The third and final Regional Public Hearing on the 2012 Budget will take place on Tuesday, December 6 at 7pm in the Board Of Legislators Chambers on the 8th Floor of the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains. Please take a moment to call, e-mail and/or send a hard copy letter to all of your legislators NOW - before you forget! Their address is: 800 Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave, 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601 Please use the attached letter as a template, and feel free to change it and personalize it - particularly the first sentence. You can also e-mail your letters. Sending both hard copy and e-mail letters would be the best option. For a directory of legislators please go to: _http://westchesterlegislators.com/contact-us.html_ (http://westchesterlegislators.com/contact-us.html) Please also send a letter to the County Executive, Robert Astorino at: _ce@westchestergov.com_ (mailto:c...@westchestergov.com)or _http://www3.westchestergov.com/home/e-mail-the-ce_ (http://www3.westchestergov.com/home/e-mail-the-ce) and hard copy to: County Executive, 900 Michaelian Building, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains, NY 10601 Please send a letter to the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation Conservation Kathleen O'Connor at: _parksinfo@westchestergov.com_ (mailto:parksi...@westchestergov.com) and hard copy to: 25 Moore Ave., Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary = -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
