[EBB Sightings] Administrator's Note about Springtime

Hello.  A little concern has been expressed by members about the 
number of posts over the past several weeks.

A review of the archives tells me that bird reports (meaning email 
messages) were up 50% in January and February this year compared with 
last year.  I am guessing that is partly the result of a mushrooming 
member list.  We have 800 subscribers now.  And of course, we have 
had some great birds.

So as the spring birdies return, I hope that we will all consider 
that the main purpose of this list is for reporting unusual bird 
sightings.   The list is not for books, events, or the excitement of 
springtime in our yards.

This note was planned before (and is unrelated to) Joe Morlan's 
important request on Sunday for "early arriving birds."  Early 
arriving birds are "unusual" and important for the historical record, 
so that seems like a short-term temporary good use for the list. 
However, I suggest that once we establish a pattern that we so 
stipulate it.  Hopefully Joe will tell us when he has enough 
information for his research.

--Patrick
List Administrator