More forums

[az kiwi]

I would like to suggest separate forums for Bird Sightings and Birding Discussion or similar.

This will allow those who want instant notification of new sightings to subscribe to that forum, without getting off-topic mail and result in faster more pertinent searches (Search this Forum feature) for example for tourist birders, wanting to know the status of Rock Wren or Blue Duck.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Any bird sightings, just rarities or oddities or trip reports? Thanks for the feedback. I know we will categorise things something like that sooner or later (we can always shift them), and the more we know about how members want it the better.
Cheers,
Neil.

[az kiwi]

I think it can all be handled under Sightings, if posters simply include either "Trip Report" or the most compelling bird of the day into the subject line. The Yahoo list doesn't seem burdened by innumerable trip reports so it shouldn't overload those on email alert.

Easy enough to add a forum or sub-forum later for trip reports, RFI's etc if you get too much chatter. Its possible that a Trip Report sub-forum might encourage overseas visitors to report their experiences - often the email list is a bit more intimidating in that you can't edit it after you send your goof to 500 participants!

[Brent Stephenson]

Yeah I think if we have the Rare/Unusual Bird Alerts (or whatever we end up calling it), and a General Birding Discussion forum, this is going to be the best way of filtering things. As moderators we can move things around if they have been placed in the wrong forum, but I suspect as people become more and more familiar, then this will happen less and less.

If we are to include trip reports, sightings lists, etc in the first forum (rather than strictly rarity/unusual bird sightings) - then perhaps calling it just simply "Bird Sightings" is the best bet? Then call the other "General Birding Discussion". The former has an email alert option, the latter doesn't.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Rare and Unusual Bird Alerts has been added. More features to come.

[dwells]

From An Overseas Perspective

Although BirdingNZ.net should be predominently a discussion platform for NZ based birders, I think it should also act as an information resource, whether it is for NZ based or non-NZ based birders.

Being a Birder/Visitor from the UK on regular basis to NZ, the Jewel in the Crown for you is the fantastic seabird life around the coasts. Besides, the eponymous Kiwi, I believe, the seabird life is the big draw in NZ for overseas birders & visitors. When I am there, I take at least two trips offshore to see the birdlife. Whether it is off Kaikoura (I love that place!), one of the other trips available elsewhere or borrowing my friends boat.

I feel a Trip Report Forum is an excellant idea and maybe created as separate forum from Bird Sighting forum as not distract from the rare and unusual sighting, as Birding-NZ produced a lot of these reports and there is a ready-made source in the form of the Eco-Tour companies such Wrybill Tours who go out on a regular basis to encourage people to add to the forum. It can be organised by geographical site ( sub-forums) and include relevant information such co-ordinates, weather, date, etc) and of course, the trip report!

As a typical birder/visitor to NZ, I am armed to the teeth with equipment to view and record birds I see. We never know when can get back to enjoy the birdlife! We are a fantastic photographic resource for NZ birdlife. Maybe, a photographic forum could created? Other ideas you may consider for forums or sub-forums could be Hotspot/local patch forum with information by a local birder, a sound forum for birders interested in wildlife sounding recording.

The objective of this site should not be to converse on birds but actively encourage non-birders to take up the binos and go out and birdwatch.

[Brent Stephenson]

Thanks Duncan,

You make some excellent comments, and I think over time we will need to see the 'Sightings' forum split into these sub-forums. Good idea for a photography, sound, and trip reports forum.

Neil is the best man to make a judgement on when to do this (it is I think a case of when not why), but perhaps at this stage until forum numbers get up a bit and more posts are being made it might be best to keep like it is? It is pretty easy to more threads and posts even after they have been made. It might be a case of let the dust settle and people start to feel comfortable.

You've also hit the nail on the head, that this is a very important tool in encouraging new birders! Thanks for highlighting that.

Great ideas though, and glad you are a regular visitor to NZ!
Cheers,

[Craig McKenzie]

If and when the time comes a photography forum would be of interest to me as well.

Regards

[Neil Fitzgerald]

No problem having discussion here around birders photographing birds, but I think nature photography is already very well catered for with excellent discussion forums, and some that cover our corner of the world. Having worked with a couple of these I know the challenges in getting much local participation—NZ is just such a tiny place.
I recommend people interested in delving deeper into bird photography check out
Naturescapes.net, especially the Australasia chapter (I'll see you there ) or Australasiaforum.net.
If I misunderstand the gist of the suggestions, sorry, elaborate for me.
Cheers,