Amateur Researcher

OK, so after my article about the Cedar Waxwing Window Fatality Event, I was interviewed by the Jonesboro Sun for another article. The focus of this article was "The Great Backyard Bird Count" and participation in Jonesboro. Admittedly, this year was the first time I have ever participated in such an event, and I only exerted the absolute MINIMUM amount of effort requested by the sponsors, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology!

The requirements are that you watch birds for at least 15 minutes at a time in a single location and record the largest number of individuals of a species that you see within that window of time. You can conduct more counts at other locations and submit separate lists for each location, as long as you observe for at least 15 minutes. My effort in 2007: 15 minutes of observation of my backyard bird feeders, in my PJs, coffee cup in hand!

I guess my minimum effort earned me the title of "amateur researcher," which occurred in the actual paper but is missing from the electronic copy. My labmates enjoyed that very much, and now there is a sign above my desk that reads "Erin Macchia, Amateur Researcher." My mother will be so proud.

Here is the link for the article: http://www.jonesborosun.com/archived_story.php?ID=26967 Not sure how long it will be posted, but I also have a digital copy if you would like to read it.

NOTE: I would like to correctly capitalize the names of the species of birds listed at the beginning. The common names of species should appear as: Ruddy Duck, American Kestrel, Eurasian Collared-Dove, and Carolina Wren.