Ironic indeed

Jim Mason jmason at ink.org
Tue Mar 30 15:16:44 EST 1999


Those wishing to pump up the scientific usefulness of the 4th of July count
should seek to limit the variables as much as possible.  For instance, here
in Wichita and in Missouri the counters follow a given track each time to
standardize the area covered.

Yes, the weather can either torpedo or embellish the results, but
researchers can allow for that by looking at the recorded conditions for the
count.  For those involved over several years, the influence of weather
becomes quite apparent and this is itself a good learning experience.

Yes, the available personnel vary widely in their abilities and that makes a
tremendous difference.  Skill levels have to be worked on each year.
Self-policing is greater than you might think.  All this is no different
than the Christmas bird counts.  I am sure that the latter had shaky
beginnings also.

While the pros may sneer at the "bumbling amateurs", at least SOMEONE is out
there looking in lots of places on a regular basis and data is being
recorded for anyone to use and not squirreled away in a technical paper
somewhere.

I would ask critics to suggest another way to organize and focus the
interest of novices and hobbyists in an enjoyable, constructive and
non-consumptive way.

Jim Mason
jmason at ink.org





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