[Tweeters] Neah Bay trip report and rare bird alert

[Alex Sowers]

The problem with continuing to post updates and notable birds on Tweeters,
is that about 90% of those on the listserv don’t care about an update on
the new location of a wintering Nashville Warbler or maybe a Western
Kingbird that is rare for the area. Those that are in Neah Bay would care,
but those who just signed up for WA Tweeters, likely couldn’t care less
about constant updates for a regional rarity that’s in one of the most
inconveniently located towns in the state. If you’ve ever been on a county
RBA or group chat, you’d know that every time a bird moves there’s a text
sent out about the new location. Every time a bird interesting for the area
(but not necessarily for the state) shows up, there’s a notification. Every
time someone sees a probable rarity for the region, there’s a notification.
I don’t think most people would appreciate getting spammed with all those
notifications.

Also, there’s an extremely wide range of interests within the Tweeters
community, so why subject the vast majority of people who don’t care, to
constant notifications about Neah Bay? Some people are part of Tweeters for
the interesting articles that are posted, some people like hearing about
when the first Rufous Hummingbird shows up in spring, and some people just
like commenting on the seasonal changes they’re seeing. I’d say that those
who’re interested in regionally rare birds of Neah Bay are certainly in the
minority. Does a backyard birder in Walla Walla really care if that Swamp
Sparrow behind Butler’s moved or not? What makes a Neah Bay WhatsApp RBA
great, is that you choose to join it based on your actual interest in the
rare birds showing up in Neah Bay. I think WhatsApp is a great idea, but if
you are anti-facebook i’m sure someone can create a spin off imessage group
or something similar.

If something that’s really interesting happens to show up in Neah Bay,
there’s no doubt that such bird will be reported on Tweeters sooner or
later. If missing out on a WA state Cassin’s Sparrow is a concern, I don’t
think one would have to worry about it not being on Tweeters. Word will get
out.

Good birding, Alex Sowers

On Wed, Sep 7, 2022 at 12:57 PM Carol Riddell <cariddellwa at gmail.com> wrote:


> What’s the problem with continuing to post sightings to Tweeters? It will

> get a better spread than a WhatsApp group. Some of us, perhaps many of us,

> do not like to use Meta/Facebook products, due to privacy and other known

> concerns about Facebook, and don’t want unnecessary apps on our phones.

> Personally, the more places I have to check for information, the less

> information I find because I won’t spend my time checking multiple apps and

> web sites.

>

> Tweeters has served us well for many years and I hope it will continue to

> do so, including timely reports of rare or just good birds that many would

> like to see. Just my two cents.

>

> Carol Riddell

> Edmonds, WA

> _______________________________________________

> Tweeters mailing list

> Tweeters at u.washington.edu

> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters

>

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