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Message: <blockquote data-quote="csanchez7" data-source="post: 1787439" data-attributes="member: 64151">I believe they do them 2-3 times a year -- one in January, one in February, for sure. I have never participated in these particular organized flushes, but I hear that they are principally for driving Ammodramus sparrows into mist nets to be banded (Grasshopper, Henslow's, Le Conte's). The Yellow Rails, which are flushed only very rarely (maybe once a year or less), are not the main targets. That said, I have only ever participated in one organized flush (for Yellow Rail and the Ammodramus sparrows) which was very successful. On the flip side of the coin, Short-eared Owls are a rare winter visitor in the state. Although I know the field where they roost, I find it more enjoyable and more natural just to wait patiently until just after sunset to watch them emerge over the field even if it took several tries and long drives.I think it is very unfair to label all birder's as only "out for the tick." This hobby attracts many different people, who have varying ideas of what makes this hobby interesting. Certainly, I love to see a new bird but my life list is not my only motive for seeing new birds. Every time I go out birding, I count every single individual bird I see and submit that information to eBird -- through the years, my data set becomes stronger, and my scientific curiosity compels me to find patterns and learn something from the birds I watch every day. I think in the United Kingdom, because there are so many birders per capita, trying to keep disturbance minimal is even more critical than it is in Florida, though. Carlos</blockquote>

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