The GBBC is a lot of fun, if you’re doing it for fun. If you’re serious about science, don’t bother.
I have participated for years, but I began to discover that if my sightings or numbers disagreed with Cornell’s preconceived notions about what should be in my area, they were disallowed out of hand. I wrote them and complained and even received promises that the situation would be resolved, seldom to see any changes. I finally concluded that it wasn’t science and quit participating. You’ll note that I’ve made some alterations to my oringinal post. birdchaser has graciously and professionally dealt with my issues in a very timely and personal manner. I consider them resolved and hope I have not dissuaded any of you from having fun participating in the count. I think now that I acted a bit brashly and appologize. However, had I been treated like birdchaser has treated me, two years ago, I wouldn’t have been so bitter in the first place. That makes for a great lesson in interpersonal relations and good communications skills. Kudos to birdchaser for caring enough to deal with my issues in such a straight forward, warm and sincere manner.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is not about learning new things about the birds in our world, except at the personal level, its about supporting somebody’s ego somewhere.
