Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:15:02 -0400
Reply-To: Mark McShane <eagleeyed@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Mark McShane <eagleeyed@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: GEORGIA RUFF WATCH 2010 ! ! !
Hi All,
Well... er, Yes... it is that time again... As the first southeastern
RUFF of the season was found yesterday in South Carolina...
I would like to take this opportunity to unofficially declare that GEORGIA
RUFF WATCH 2010 is now opened!!!
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The birders of Georgia should not have to accept, or acquiesce to, the
fact that a RUFF may only be seen in Georgia possibly every, what, now 28+
years, on the average (and in the modern RUFF watching era)!!!
We also should not accept any recent or forthcoming nearby RUFF sightings,
made just over our borders, to be the only RUFF we may ever have the
opportunity to observe, for up to around another 28+ years! Those birds
do not count for Georgia!!!
The problem with locating THE RUFF (like most really rare birds) in
Georgia is probably mostly one of a lack of adequate coverage by qualified
observers.
THE RUFF should be, could be, and probably is, somewhere in Georgia every
year, and yes maybe even as I write this, somewhere in the recesses of
say, Altamaha WMA, if the water levels are correct, THE VAGRANT RUFF may
now lurk, awaiting discovery by some soon to be famous and revered Georgia
birder, and that birder could be you!!!
The American Birding Association (ABA) has THE RUFF listed as:
Code-3: Rare. Species that occur in very low numbers, but annually, in
the ABA Checklist Area. This includes visitors and rare breeding
residents.
THE RUFF is a visitor.
If more qualified and dedicated Georgia RUFF seekers are out in the
field, tuned in to THE RUFF, in likely habitat, in likely seasons, and in
some force every year, then the chances will Go Way Up that a RUFF will be
observed sooner, rather than later, in Georgia!!!
Implementing a simple 3-step plan will be all that is needed for more RUFF
sightings to be recorded in Georgia, and more often than every 28+ years!!!
LEARN THE RUFF!!! BE THE RUFF!!! SEE THE RUFF!!!
1. LEARN THE RUFF - Raise your personal awareness of... THE RUFF! Study
your field guides, shorebird guides, reference books, and online
resources, etc., in order to learn the natural history, distinguishing
characteristics, distribution, migration, vagrancy, habitat, food habits,
sounds, behavior, breeding, demography and populations, conservation and
management, appearance, measurements, and past ABA Checklist Area sighting
histories of... THE RUFF.
2. BE THE RUFF - Based on what you learned in Step 1 surmise where, and
when, you would be, in Georgia, if you were... THE VAGRANT RUFF!!!
3. SEE THE RUFF - Based on what you learned in Steps 1 and 2, get out
there into the field and look for... THE RUFF!!! (and, of course, don't
forget to photograph THE RUFF)
If you are new to SHOREBIRDING, it may be best to work on a BUDDY SYSTEM,
you don't necessarily want to try this alone at first, as it can be
intimidating, humbling, and well it's always best to have each other's
support when starting out (but hey, it's much easier than Gulls)!!!
Now let's hone our skills, shorebird, get out there (safety first) and...
LEARN THE RUFF, BE THE RUFF, SEE THE RUFF!!!
And remember, if you see... THE RUFF
Don't call 911 first, call the Georgia Statewide Rare Bird Alert at 770-
493-8862, and then call and email every birder you know (me first
hopefully, and then the closest ones next)!!!
Thank You For Your Support!!!
Mark
Mark McShane
Georgia ShoreBirder-at-Large
Founder and Chief Instigator
GEORGIA RUFF WATCH (a totally for fun, but very serious, organization)
LEARN THE RUFF, BE THE RUFF, SEE THE RUFF!!!
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
http://neargareport.blogspot.com
eagleeyed AT bellsouth.net
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