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Posted by Paul J. Baicich on 13:04:20 01/26/07
First, I want to thank the Florida birders who searched for the Western Spindalis on Sunday morning, especially a gracious Mark Berney and Paul Bithorn. I had been in Naples (SW Fl. Birding Festival) when I heard about the bird on Saturday, and I arrived at Evergreen Cemetery at 7:30am on Sunday. By 11am I was hungry, when I slipped away to get some quick take-out. It was during my 15-minute absence that the West Spindalis was found, just in time to disappear upon my return! Fortunately, the bird was re-found a half-hour later, when I got stunning looks.
Second, I was surprised that birders at the cemetery were wandering the length of the area without use of FRS/GMRS radios. I have used them effectively or seen them in practice in MA, MD, IA, MN, TX, and AK. Some birders (e.g. MN and IA) regularly use Channel 6, Subcodes 0 or 6, others use the old - and less powerful - ABA-recommended Channel 11, Subcode 22. (I was told by birders at the cemetery, however, that these radios are used 'in car caravans' in the state, but not always under other circumstances. Is that accurate?) Regardless, I have found at rarity stakeouts that radios have really helped to spontaneously self-organize the birders in their searches. At least the radios help to avert individual feelings of dip-anxiety when there are multiple birders present!
Anyhow, just a thought...
Paul
(back at home in Maryland)
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