Forum Suggestion : Birding Localalities.

[Glen Webber]

Hi all.

Pretty regularly there is a question posted here asking where should I visit in NZ as a whole, or a particular region ...
Additionally I don't know* of any decent, up to date, online reference to NZ birding localities.

So I have a suggestion for a new forum. Localities / locality guide.

My thinking is a locked (semi-locked?) forum containing one topic per NZ region.
Inside each region topic is a locked sticky (always at top) thread containing a list of the best spots for that region.
Location info, species, costs, external links, etc.
Discussions about what should be included etc could happen as separate discussions within each region topic.

It would be naturally searchable at either regional or national level, easily updated, and could even include time sensitive info. i.e. Info from alerts... This would be very useful to both NZ birders travelling and overseas visitors.

The only downside I can see is it would require mods to maintain each regions sticky topic and I don't know if people would want to volunteer that time...

Good idea? Bad idea? Too much work?

Cheers,
Glen.

* Note I said I don't know of any such reference. Not that one doesn't exist.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Very similar to an idea I've been wanting to implement for years. I imagined members might be able to write articles on a locality they know. I would put it in a new, separate section of the site. Problem is, getting people to write something. I need to start the ball rolling, although I feel far from expert on any particular area. I guess others may feel that same. I’ll put that down for a job to do this winter. If anyone else wants to write something about a place they know, or has any other thoughts on this idea, feel free to contact me.

[Jan]

This topic is hidden away where you would only find it if you were desarate for something else to look at other than data entry that I've been doing for hours.

You need to ask OSNZ members and Council what is happening on this topic.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Glen,
Having progressed my other idea (nearly ready for it to go live) I see now that your idea and mine are different in some important ways, and I don't think they are at all mutually exclusive. Yours is essentially to have regional "chapter" fora, and this is something I have also thought about. One concern I have is that they might not get much attention (e.g. how many Southlanders do we have?, and if a question is posted in an obscure forum it might be missed by the majority). I'm not writing it off though, and I can see how it could be useful to visitors. A good idea I'll ponder some more, and hopefully other's will give us their thoughts.
Cheers,
Neil.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

OK, the new section (Articles) is now online.