The Decline of BA

One of the good things about birding is that it covers a wide range of interest, from those who just like to see and sometimes feed the birds in their backyards to those who are twitchers and rush off to see any vagrant reported in the country if they can – it’s all about what we personally enjoy. I think it’s the “instancy” of Facebook and other social media that many people enjoy and find useful. Someone who wants a young Starling identified is much more likely to go to a specific Facebook group where they know many of the other members wouldn’t know what it was either, than to go to a Forum like this where many of the contributors are known to be very experienced birders, and sometimes make that very obvious. It is sad that the reference value of Birding-Aus is losing contributions, but I guess people just put a question in a Facebook Group and again get an instant answer quite regularly. In an analogy, it’s a bit like field guide books and apps – both have their uses and people who use only one or the other. It’s been interesting reading responses to Steve’s comment – so well done to Steve for stirring some debate, and thanks to Russell and team for maintaining Birding-Aus for us.