dmark@acsu.buffalo.edu (David Mark) (02/04/91)
In article <343@tivoli.UUCP> lark@tivoli.UUCP (Lar Kaufman) writes: >In article <1991Jan29.073655.9832@santra.uucp> s30986u@kaira.hut.fi (Martin Helin) writes: >> >>A friend of mine mentioned yesterday briefly that he >>had identified one of the cormorants as a Socotra cormorant. >>I don't know how critical he has been in his identification >>but keep your eyes open. > >Boy, I think I just got an idea for a new arena for birding - by TV. Have >to keep a separate list, though, from the list for "normally" spotted birds. > :-) >Lar Kaufman Not new! I was introduced to the idea in a serious way the fall of 1982, as I chatted with Canadian birders Paul Pratt and Ron Ridout as we waited in the Niagara Gorge for a Norther Wheatear to re-appear (which it didn't). "The Pettingell Book of Birding Records", 1986, p. 134, gave the top 3 television listers known at publication time: 1. 1109 Hugh G. Currie, of Toronto, total as of Aug 2 1985 2. 985 Pete A. Fraser, of Bristol, England (as of May 17 1985). 3. 581 Charles F. Leck, Kendall Park, New Jersey, as of Mar 29 1985. In August 1985 my TV list was at about 360 species. The "rules" are to keep a record of the date, channel, and program name where seen, and if possible the real-world locality. Most TV listers say you cannot tape a program and watch it several times, with slow motion, to identify birds. You get a second chance only if a "re-run" of the program is broadcast. Right now, my "TV bird list" stands at 816 species. Of those, I have seen 512 in the real world. I heartily recommend TV bird listing! It sharpens the identification skills, and prepares you for when you eventually do go to the place. Any other TV listers reading rec.birds? David Mark dmark@acsu.buffalo.edu