Vermont eBirder of the Month - Sue Elliott

It is with great pleasure that we present the first Vermont eBirder of the Month to Sue Elliott. Many folks deserve recognition for their outstanding contributions to Vermont eBird and birds in Vermont in general, but from nearly the first day Vermont eBird went online, Sue has been a tireless contributor, promoter, and even fund raiser for Vermont eBird. Congratulations Sue and thank you so much for all you do!

Vermont eBirder: Sue Elliott
Vermont species list: 238
First eBird reported: Red-tailed Hawk in 1993
Last Vermont life bird: Iceland Gull in December 2010
No. of Vermont eBird checklists: 3,101 (increasing daily!)

Just about the time Rutland County Audubon began its monthly monitoring of West Rutland Marsh, eBird was introduced. Perfect timing! The issue of what to do with our data was instantly solved. Now in our tenth year of monitoring, we have accumulated a vast amount of information, represented by 141 species. Each month we challenge ourselves to beat that month’s sightings from the previous year. We also have the opportunity to spread the word about eBird to the Audubon members and supporters who join us each month. Our use of eBird has extended to our other monitoring projects and field trips as well. Each of the Rutland County Audubon birding hotspots on our website has a link to bird observations at eBird. Our field trip checklists sometimes number around 20 per trip.

eBird has been very rewarding to me personally as well. Not a day goes by that I don’t enter a checklist. I submit a list for our yard each day we are home. Our home list currently stands at 98 species. Several times a week my husband Marv and I go somewhere locally to look for birds. There are places we make a point of visiting at least monthly. On field trips I think my friends wouldn’t recognize me if I didn’t have a pen in one hand and a notepad in the other!

The eBird database is an important birding tool for me. I frequently cite eBird data when writing an article for the Rutland County Audubon website. I can note the seasonal distribution of a species or provide a listing of what has been seen at a particular location. When Marv and I plan birding here in Vermont or further afield, I always consult eBird for the best places to see birds and when.

Not only do I enjoy using eBird, I feel I have a responsibility to enter my sightings. Other than an investment in binoculars, birding is a low-cost avocation, especially here in Vermont where we enjoy an abundance of great places to bird. What better way to give back to the birds than to contribute my sightings?

All and all, I can’t imagine birding without eBird. To combine some of the taglines that appear on the eBird homepage, “Bird with a purpose: join the flock and make your birding count!”

Photo Caption: Sue birding in the Northeast Kingdom with some of her best birding buddies (L-R): Sue Elliott, Sue Wetmore, Mary Lou Webster, Roy Pilcher, Angele Brill, Marv Elliott (in back)