I didn’t see a post from our eBird reviewers, so I thought I should mention it: This is the great backyard bird count weekend. Since many inexperienced birders are entering eBird reports, there are quite a few outrageous birds being ‘seen’ at feeders this weekend. Those of us receiving rare bird alerts from eBird should be aware that the reports come through before our reviewers have had a chance to check them out and discuss sightings details with observers. Greg H. and Aidan K. work hard to ensure that our eBird data is accurate! When reading these unreviewed reports remember that we all started out not knowing much. :) Chuck Imbergamo CT Birds Moderator Madison

Thanks Chuck. It's also worth noting that eBird alerts are designed to go out immediately before reviewers have a chance to verify them. This is so there is no chance that really significant legitimate rarities don't stay under wraps while verification is being sought. So anyone who signs up for alerts needs to understand this dynamic. As an alert recipient you have to decide if you want to take a chance on seeking something without additional details. And of course as Chuck notes, the GBBC is significantly prone to generating incorrect reports. Greg Hanisek On Sat, Feb 17, 2024 at 7:56 PM Chuck Imbergamo via CTBirds < ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: > I didn’t see a post from our eBird reviewers, so I thought I should > mention it: This is the great backyard bird count weekend. > > Since many inexperienced birders are entering eBird reports, there are > quite a few outrageous birds being ‘seen’ at feeders this weekend. Those > of us receiving rare bird alerts from eBird should be aware that the > reports come through before our reviewers have had a chance to check them > out and discuss sightings details with observers. Greg H. and Aidan K. > work hard to ensure that our eBird data is accurate! > > When reading these unreviewed reports remember that we all started out not > knowing much. :) > > Chuck Imbergamo > CT Birds Moderator > Madison > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send an email with just "join" or > "leave" in the subject or body to: ctbirds-request@lists.ctbirding.org > > CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing > birders together statewide. Please support COA: > https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/ > > CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For > list rules and subscription information visit: > https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/