Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Grapevine
Nick Dawtrey has commented that he feels there are too many sightings of common species being sent out on the grapevine and he would like only less common species to be texted out, do other grapevine members agree? Would it be better if we drew up a list of which species we text out? Are people interested in first migrants etc?
19 comments:
I'm definitely interested in first sightings of migrants.
I think a list of acceptable species would be too inflexible and prefer to trust yours and Dave's judgement.
Personally I don't think that we get too many texts. One or two may be a little "so-what" but in the overall scheme of things I'd say it isn't a big deal.
A tricky one this. My criticisms would be along the lines of too much repetition.
E.g. After the initial reports of skeins of pink-feet flying over, subsequent reports become superfluous. Similarly, repeated texts about (e.g.) Common Scoters "still being there", an hour after the bird was reported as "being there" are also contentious.
Also, late reports of fly-overs are a total waste of time and money. Such reports should be put out on the blog, not as an "expensive" text messages. A report of an Osprey flying over an hour ago is pretty pointless as a text, but useful blog info.
I generally work on the priciple that if someone on the 'vine' sends me a text then they want the info to be shared with the group.
Yes there are times when it's
debatable to send out and would agree that some could be kept just to post on the blog - however some grapeviners don't have access to or post on the blog.
It might be useful to review 'the list' and I agree with Jeff that first migrants might be useful as this could co-incide with a 'fall' in other parts of Calderdale.
I think we try to use our discretion in the best interest of all the grapeviners and the bloggers.
Fair comment Dave. There was a time when I hardly viewed the blog, and DID rely more on the grapevine, so this may well be the ONLY way for some people to receive that info.
Thus, I shall eat my words.....sorry guys.
The idea behind sending confirmatory texts about a bird still being there is in case anyone is making a special effort to get to see it eg coming out of work at lunchtime, or changing plans. As we don't often get texts to tell us a bird has gone this was the only way we could try to prevent someone not having a wasted journey (if that makes sense!). Fly over birds, whilst they may have gone through, were sent both for interest but also as alerts that other birds could be moving. As Dave says if a grapevine member takes the time to send us a text we assume they think it important enough to warrant forwarding on.
Sorry i think that should have read "prevent someone from having a wasted journey"! Anyway I'm sure you get my drift, its early!
Good point, Nick. Also, one phenomenon that is particular to Calderdale is the amount of "dead zones" affecting mobile coverage so poor mobile reception will also have a baring on this.
So, on reflection, you can strike my comment re "late reports of flyovers".
You're right about dead areas Steve. A lot of the places I go to are signal-less. When Vodafone says it has 99% coverage in the UK, the missing 1% must be Calderdale.
I think it works pretty well. I appreciate the information about migrants and about whether particular sightings are still about.
It ain't broke.It doesn't need fixing.
BTW, the flock of 27 starlings are still about in the field next to the lower dam at Cold Edge.
I must admit to enjoying getting all texts about birds,the simple PFG flocks can be mapped throughout Calderdale if you get the info out quickly.We only spend £15 a year max its nowt..............
Nick D's suggestion for a list of "textable" birds (he is unable to post to the blog at present)
Suggested list of species for the Grapevine.
1, Any obvious rarity.
2, Any new species for the Halifax List.
3, + the following.
Bewicks and Whooper Swans
Whitefront
Pintail, Garganey, Scaup, Eider, LT Duck, Common Scoter, Smew, Ruddy Duck, RB Merganser.
Quail,
All Divers,
RN Grebe, BN Grebe, Slav Grebe.
Fulmar, Gannet, All Shearwaters and Petrels.
Shag,
Bittern, Little Egret, White Stork.
Honey Buzz, Red Kite, all Harriers except Hen on winter or breeding grounds.RL Buzzard, Osprey, Hobby.
Water Rail, Corncrake, Crane,
Avocet, Stone Curlew, Dotterel, Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint, Tem Stint, Curlew Sand, Purple Sand, Ruff, Jack Snipe, both Godwits, Whimbrel, Spot Red, Greenshank, Green Sand, Wood Sand, Turnstone,
All Skuas, Med Gull, Little Gull, YL Gull. Iceland and Glauc Gulls, Kittiwake, Little Tern, Sand Tern, Black Tern , Arctic Tern.
Turtle Dove, Nightjar, Wryneck.
LSWpecker.
Shorelark, Water Pipit, Rock Pipits, Yellow Wagtail.
Waxwing.
Black Redstart.
Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Wood Warbler, Firecrest.
Pied Fly.
Marsh Tit, Willow Tit.
All Shrikes.
Mealy Redpoll, Crossbill, Hawfinch.
Lapland Bunting and Snow Bunting.
Any other species can either be tagged on with any of the above or put on the Calder Blog.
Any suggestions ?
if we all put in 10/15 quid we could get a contract for the whole year,and send as many texts as we like.??
Comment from Brian Sumner via text (posted here with his permission)
Happy with grapevine, any bird movement to me is useful. the more info the better, it gives a picture as to whats moving.
Comment from PJWS via text and posted here at his request
I see the grapevine as 1) info on scarcities that others may go to see and 2) reports of interesting fly throughs that could be followed by another of the same. I think Buzzard and PF Goose are too common for every fly through to come under 2) though the first ones after a gap of some weeks might do so.
o2 simm only contracts cost 10 quid per month with unlimited texts thats 120 pound per year.I think we are paying more than that between us.
Comment from Steve Blacksmith "OK as it is"
We are Andy! That sounds a very good offer, £10 for unlimited texts(think I need to get one for myself!). I'm more than prepared to hand it on if you want to sort it?
Great idea from Andy C, think most networks would give us a great deal on a double sim package, we need to ensure whichever one we choose has good coverage. I use vodafone and have had very few problems.
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