Hello all,
Although I was somewhat of a fringe player in this grand debate (I was a late addition co-author on the "Fenwick's" paper, but have not had the time to be involved much on this thread), I feel that this thread is winding down as far as relevance and human relations go so perhaps we should wrap it up.
Diego, I have to say, like Globalbirder I did find some of your comments rather harsh especially as we have yet to hear any concrete examples to back up your claims of the apparent widespread disdain for proaves within the colombian ornithologist community. That being said, you are not the first person I have heard express this view although others who have discussed this with have also failed to produce any examples of why this would be the case.
So as to try to relieve any smears cast on to certain relavant parties' reputations let me say that I personally know both Diego Calderon and Robert Giles and my experiences with both of them have been excellent. Both of them I first met while conducting research on the Antpitta at the colibri reserve.
As many of you may be aware Robert has spent the last decade raising awareness around the world about the plight of many of the worlds most endangered species that occur in Colombia. He has also personally contributed significantly towards land aquisitions often at quite short notice. I have regular correspondance with him and if I had to find a fault it would be that he seems a little too busy with Proaves and Ecoturs, to be healthy.
During my brief aquaintace with Diego it was obvious that he too felt strongly about the plight of many of his countries endemic species. I don't think that there is anyone out there who is as actively promoting colombia on the web as him. That sort of promotion is an activism of it's own and whether it is for his own company or not, he is generating tourism dollars in areas where it is most needed. In addition, the fact that his tours are based around privately and cooperatively owned reserves is an assett to conservation in Colombia as it provides much needed funding for smaller conservation efforts that lack the world publicity of organizations such as Proaves.
Both sides are doing there part to help Colombian birds with the resources they have.
On a side note, I agree with those that say "who cares what the bird is called the important thing is that is is recognized and protected as warranted". Whethere naming it after donors or explorers,or sites, or physical characteristics...so what?
It is easy to say this with the benifit of hind-sight but to me, the vital decision in this whole saga was made by Sr. Carantron when he decided to keep his discovery from Proaves. This is the moment that, for me, set the tone for what came after.
Hopefully both sides have learned a lesson, and let's focus on what's important...the birds.