Tim100 said:
This ID section is the only place I go to on this site pretty much...it helps a lot. Bird guides aren't always that accurate after all.
A very good point, and one that often gets me into numerous debates on this side of "the pond". Often times guides that are accurate in what they depict, may only show one drawing for a species, ignoring many of the various plumages that are possibly encountered in the field. Also, as mentors we will sometimes take one of these bright-eyed newbies, under our wing and (in an attempt to shelter them from any possible confusion) recommend the least comprehensive, worst guide out there from an ID standpoint because we believe it will be "easier" for these poor, confused birdlets to only have a couple choices. Even when we would never use said guide ourselves because it is far too incomplete!.... I think you see where I'm going here, so I won't continue.
At any rate, we sometimes create this need for asking for help by trying to shelter our proteges, and recommending inferior (by current market standards) guides as "beginner's tools". As such we need to understand and be helpful when these folks ask for help and shouldn't ever be critical because someone lacks our experience.... The only thing this begets, is turning people off to the hobby (obsession?!?...).
I will make this plea though, if you really want to help a beginning birder start them with a sound comprehensive guide even if it is daunting to look through. From my memories as a beginner (>20 years ago now), I was more frustrated after flipping through an entire guide and not being able to find ANYTHING that looked close to my bird than I was having to flip through more pages!
Lastly, I will say that in my 20 years, I received help from TONS of people, and personally feel it is my responsibility to "give back" to the community at large and offer assistance where ever I can, and encourage all out there to do the same.
For those taking notes at home I'll mention that I was a contributing author to the ABA Bird Finding Guides to Florida and Alaska, was a consultant on the 2 CD set "Bird Songs of Alaska", wrote a recent article on "Digiscoping Basics" for Birding Business Magazine, am completing a Raptor article for Wildbird at present, just picked up #309 for 2005 with a Chuck-will's Widow in the backyard this morning (even though I haven't hit that thread yet), and fully expect requests for assistance from all of the (how many is it now?...) 20,000 members, now that I've mede the offer. I will answer each in turn so you should expect a reply within 6-9 mos.
Good birding,
Jeff Bouton
Product Specialist Birding/Naturalist Markets, USA
Leica Sport Optics
Port Charlotte, FL