Audubon will publish CBC volume

[Harry LeGrand <Harry.LeGrand@ncmail.net>]

Folks:
    I don't know who received the message a few weeks ago from the
National Audubon Society about the future of the CBCs. Just in case you
did not get this e-mail, Margaret McElwain of NAS said:

"I am digesting the many good comments I received regarding the content
of our hard copy publication, and ways to use this publication most
effectively as a complement to the OnLine database. Please pass the
word:  WE WILL PUBLISH THE TRADITIONAL HARD COPY VOLUME FOR CBC101. [Her
caps.]

"That's the good news for some of you. Last year we only received about
1800 paid subscriptions, which is worrisome. Such low subscription
numbers negate the potential to attract advertizing to help offset
publication costs, a good suggestion (by some compilers) in principle.
We will be looking real hard at the subscription interest this year and
the actual cost per copy mailed. If paid subscriptions continue to drop,
we all will be challenged to continue the status quo. Thus I urge each
of you who cherishes this volume as I do to encourage your friends to
subscribe and to reverse the current trend of declining interest."

This is good news, at least that the full CBC issue will be printed for
the upcoming year. There has always been confusion about when to pay for
this volume, who pays, etc. It was easy to forget if you paid for it,
often paying for it at the same time that you paid the $5 for the count
fee (giving the additional money to the compiler, who checked off your
name on a remittance sheet as wanting the CBC volume).

In the past, I believe that compilers were sent free copies of the CBC
issue. I am fuzzy on that, as I am a compiler, but I also edit the NC
and SC counts, so I may well get a freebie from that service. At any
rate, last year Audubon sweetened the pot for compilers by giving all
compilers who submitted the results online electronically a free copy of
Sibley's field guide (a $35 book). No such enticement was given to
compilers this winter. Entering data online is VERY tedious, and is much
more difficult than sending in paper copies of the count form. Also, a
compiler must send in paperwork anyway -- details of unusual species,
the check with participant fees, etc.

Adding to the situation is Audubon's declaration that, starting with
counts at the end of this year (2001), ALL counts MUST be submitted
online, electronically.

In the next few weeks or months, Audubon needs to:
1. make it clear whether compilers will receive a free copy of CBC101
(this past year's results). I feel that compilers SHOULD receive a free
copy, as submitting BOTH online data and paper work is a very tediuous,
several hour job.
2. send out a subscription notice to all its NAS members, perhaps to all
ABA (American Birding Association) members, etc. I think Audubon did the
right thing in not giving folks the opportunity to pay for the
subscription with the count fees, as perhaps they were not prepared to
say how much such a CBC issue would cost, etc. Wait a month or several,
send out a notice, carefully explaining what will be in the issue, that
the full results of the counts will be included, etc. But, it is
important to make it clear whether compilers will get free copies or
not. Compilers don't want to order a copy if they would be getting a
free copy. (I generally get 2-3 CBC issues each year!). As the CBC issue
normally isn't ready for distribution until about October or even
November, there is time for Audubon to round up some advertizing, come
up the right promotion, etc., for CBC101. I certainly hope that many
more than 1800 paid subscriptions to the count book will happen this
year, so that Audubon can continue to publish full results. Otherwise,
many of us feel that the effort to go out and count birds, with results
only seen online, isn't worth the $5 per count, all the driving and
motels, predawn hours owling, etc. (I estimate that I spend over $200
each CBC season on gas, motels, count fees, etc., plus giving up about 3
days of work time the last week in December).

I look forward to seeing CBC101, for I fear that this could be the last
issue with full results.
--

Harry LeGrand, NC/SC CBC Regional Editor
NC Natural Heritage Program
1615 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-1615
(919) 715-8687 (work)
FAX: 919-715-3085
e-mail: harry.legrand@ncmail.net