First Lesser Goldfinch Ever Seen in Alabama

[floraphile]

05 Jan 2021 Mobile co. AL 

It has been visiting backyard feeders since Dec 9.  I have not gone to see it.  It is at a private residence, but the homeowners are allowing birders to view from their carport.   

 

 

[Seanbirds]

11 hours ago, floraphile said:

05 Jan 2021 Mobile co. AL 

It has been visiting backyard feeders since Dec 9.  I have not gone to see it.  It is at a private residence, but the homeowners are allowing birders to view from their carport.   

 

 

Neat!

[Aaron]

Are you gonna try and see it?

[Avery]

In related news, there’s a male painted bunting in Washington DC

[floraphile]

8 hours ago, Aaron said:

Are you gonna try and see it?

I plan to, but  it seems a little weird to me, as a rather new birder, to just show up to someone's home, but the post said to do just that, and not knock on the door.   I'm guessing such an arrangement is not uncommon among bird enthusiasts?

[Avery]

1 hour ago, floraphile said:

I plan to, but  it seems a little weird to me, as a rather new birder, to just show up to someone's home, but the post said to do just that, and not knock on the door.   I'm guessing such an arrangement is not uncommon among bird enthusiasts?

You could try and send them an email, if it feels weird. I have certainly done my fair share of standing on the road with bins on their feeders. Luckily I haven’t come across someone who didn’t understand. If the people are bird lovers, than they will most likely be fine with people stopping by to see the bird, as long as they are respectful. 

[floraphile]

9 minutes ago, Avery said:

You could try and send them an email, if it feels weird. I have certainly done my fair share of standing on the road with bins on their feeders. Luckily I haven’t come across someone who didn’t understand. If the people are bird lovers, than they will most likely be fine with people stopping by to see the bird, as long as they are respectful. 

I found a more detailed post about it:   "The Lesser Goldfinch found in west Mobile and [sic] opened to birders today, provided that they follow these rules for the privilege of seeing a species that has never been seen in Alabama before".   The rules are reasonable--watch only from the designated spot, park on street, don't block mailbox, wear a mask.   So, Yes!  I will go and see him/her.  It will be this weekend before I can get over there, so I hope he/she sticks around.    

[Aaron]

Back in September I had 10 people or so show up throughout the week to come and see a Ruby-throated hummingbird in my cabins yard. 
Was kinda funny as people would just randomly walk up the driveway with a huge camera.  
In my perspective it wasn’t weird as it’s fun meeting the people around you, some who you ‘know’ only by their name on eBird and talking with them about birds n things. Though, if it was the other way I’d definitely feel a little weird, but yeah most people who report a rare bird want or expect other people to come and find it. 
One guy drove 5 hours to come see her, but I left a few days prior. He waited 2 hours outside the gate looking with binoculars but never saw it! Still feel bad about it. Wonder what the neighbours were thinking ?

That report was the reason I put an email in my eBird profile as it’s easier when people contact you to come see it rather than just randomly showing up. That’s why I think eBird should have some sort of messaging system or something.... 

Anyways, hope you see it! 

[floraphile]

37 minutes ago, Aaron said:

Back in September I had 10 people or so show up throughout the week to come and see a Ruby-throated hummingbird in my cabins yard. 
Was kinda funny as people would just randomly walk up the driveway with a huge camera.  
In my perspective it wasn’t weird as it’s fun meeting the people around you, some who you ‘know’ only by their name on eBird and talking with them about birds n things. Though, if it was the other way I’d definitely feel a little weird, but yeah most people who report a rare bird want or expect other people to come and find it. 
One guy drove 5 hours to come see her, but I left a few days prior. He waited 2 hours outside the gate looking with binoculars but never saw it! Still feel bad about it. Wonder what the neighbours were thinking ?

That report was the reason I put an email in my eBird profile as it’s easier when people contact you to come see it rather than just randomly showing up. That’s why I think eBird should have some sort of messaging system or something.... 

Anyways, hope you see it! 

I may get over there tomorrow.  If not, Saturday.  I am super excited!  

[Aidan B]

1 hour ago, Aaron said:

That’s why I think eBird should have some sort of messaging system or something.... 

I so agree with this!

[neilpa]

2 hours ago, Aaron said:

That’s why I think eBird should have some sort of messaging system or something.... 

As a professional software developer that's no easy ask. Your email "hack" seems good enough which allows for them to keep building all the other awesome ebird tools.

[Aaron]

5 minutes ago, neilpa said:

As a professional software developer that's no easy ask. Your email "hack" seems good enough which allows for them to keep building all the other awesome ebird tools.

Yeah I agree. It’d more or less be a distraction from everything else going on, and doubt it would be used well, such as sensitive species locations. 
Though, even if they could make a section where contact info such as email or phone or whatever could be accessed for a person (if the user makes it public) I think it’d just be easier for people to share sightings/knowledge.  As not everyone provides comments or has contact information within their profile.

 

 

[Kevin]

@floraphile
did you see it?

[floraphile]

1 minute ago, Kevin said:

@floraphile
did you see it?

I didn't ?  

[IKLland]

On 2/10/2021 at 4:11 PM, floraphile said:

I didn't ?  

Well, I could say I did! I saw 50 today!