Check out any list published in a national newspaper, booklet or pamphlet regarding sporting comparison - do they have some of the major players missing - No? There is no point to a list if it is not reasonably representative of its goals and by not having half, three-quarters or maybe all but one name on the list is pointless. I was a fool to bow to some people's request to place it in the public domain - that won't be happening again - and as soon as the Website manager returns the list that is currently up will be removed. As and when individuals cease breathing or twitching, their names will be removed or placed in italics.
I am not sure how you guys think local committees judge contentious records - they have to be aware of the numerous stringers out there and so does the assoted Birdlines and Information Services. This information is also shared by the Information Services. You have to become a stringer before you get known, so obviously notes of some type (or kept files) have to be maintained and utilised. The late Mike Rogers and I were always liasing about such matters and it still goes on today - it would be naive to think that no checking is made. I am keen to get this more out in the open and to discuss at source, but it seems that others are keener to keep it as a secret society. It looks like their attitude is the correct one as bringing it to the fore, raises all of the problems that Ashley mentions. I take the view though, that I'm hated so much, that it no longer matters anymore and I may as well confront these problems head-on.
Talking to those in the know on a daily basis, they cannot believe just how much rubbish in the way of sightings manages to make it into the three popular birding magazines each month. This is hardly surprising though, because corrections are rarely made. Tim Allwood is always informing me of such nonsense in East Norfolk where he lives and keeps abreast of local sightings - a Red-flanked Bluetail at Waxham also being recorded as a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Greenish Warblers and Pallas's Leaf Warblers reported which are actually Yellow-broweds and Goldcrests....It is a never-ending problem, but surely it is in everyone's interest that a check is kept on it - and as it is so controversial, people would rather that others get involved and take the flak. I'm happy to act as that scapegoat....the whistle blower as such
I am not sure how you guys think local committees judge contentious records - they have to be aware of the numerous stringers out there and so does the assoted Birdlines and Information Services. This information is also shared by the Information Services. You have to become a stringer before you get known, so obviously notes of some type (or kept files) have to be maintained and utilised. The late Mike Rogers and I were always liasing about such matters and it still goes on today - it would be naive to think that no checking is made. I am keen to get this more out in the open and to discuss at source, but it seems that others are keener to keep it as a secret society. It looks like their attitude is the correct one as bringing it to the fore, raises all of the problems that Ashley mentions. I take the view though, that I'm hated so much, that it no longer matters anymore and I may as well confront these problems head-on.
Talking to those in the know on a daily basis, they cannot believe just how much rubbish in the way of sightings manages to make it into the three popular birding magazines each month. This is hardly surprising though, because corrections are rarely made. Tim Allwood is always informing me of such nonsense in East Norfolk where he lives and keeps abreast of local sightings - a Red-flanked Bluetail at Waxham also being recorded as a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Greenish Warblers and Pallas's Leaf Warblers reported which are actually Yellow-broweds and Goldcrests....It is a never-ending problem, but surely it is in everyone's interest that a check is kept on it - and as it is so controversial, people would rather that others get involved and take the flak. I'm happy to act as that scapegoat....the whistle blower as such
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