Birding listservers are an Internet information system in which a group of people "subscribe” to a computer site that acts as a message courier. The host computer acts as a mail courier that forwards all submitted messages to all “subscribers”. Once subscribed, you will receive the messages posted by all the other members of the listserver. You can also post messages with bird sightings, discussion topics, etc. that other subscribers will receive. As with any communal system, there are rules of behavior that must be followed. But once in, the flow of information is almost immediate. There are usually options for subscribers that include temporarily stopping mail and unsubscribing.
There are a variety of listservers. Some are locally oriented, some are nationally oriented, some cover specific topics. The following listservers should help get you started.
Michigan Listservers:
1. Birders – Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and Southeast Michigan
This listserve gives you the choice of joining as a member or visiting as a guest. If you enter as a guest, you have the choice of reading messages or searching for specific words or phrases in posts. For instance, by typing “red crossbill” in the search space and pressing enter, you get a list of posted messages that mention the phrase “red crossbill’. To subscribe to the listserve, click on the "Join Birders" button and complete the information requested.
2. Mich-chat – Statewide List
Mich-chat is a listserve for discussion of Michigan birds that are not rarities. To subscribe, simply provide the information requested. You can also click on a link to read archived messages.
3. Mich-listers – For submitting rarity reports
This listserve is used to report rare birds within the state of Michigan to bird listers. It is also closely associated with Mich-chat listserver. To subscribe, simply provide the requested information. Use the second listed website to read archived listings.
4. NMB – Northern Michigan Birding
This listserve has several options. Members can login to an area with specific topics and information. There is also a general forum on the top page, where you can see ongoing discussions. These are already categorized by interests - sightings, photography, nesting forum, organizations, etc. To subscribe, simply provide the requested information.
5. SE_Mich Bird-list:
Rarity reports for SE Michigan. This is not a chat group but rather a site to post rare sightings. Simply send a note to this web address with the following message - subscribe SE-MI-birdlist Your Name.
Other Listservers:
The American Birding Association (ABA) website contains a list of listservers for the entire U.S. and other countries. Go to: http://www.aba.org/resources/mailinglists.html
“BirdChat” contains a list of listservers; go to http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html . You will have the choice to “Join or Leave the List”. To join, simply provide the information requested.
Another set of listservers from the University of Arizona associated with BirdChat includes rare bird sighting listservers. These are not for posting by individuals. They can be accessed by doing a Google search using the words Birdeast, Birdcentral and Birdwest. Look for a result that has the “listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdeast” for example. You can also subscribe to this listserver. The University of Arizona also has listservers for specific topics such as banding.
Telephone Hotlines:
Northwest Ohio Rare Bird Alert: 641-715-3800, AC code: 86701#.
List Servers
OAKLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY
www.OaklandAudubon.org
