Fuertes's Hawk and four-letter codes

[Ted Floyd]

Hello, Birders. 

Back on Wed., Dec. 10, I saw and briefly digiscoped a bird with characters of FUERTES'S HAWK. That is not the same thing as saying I saw a Fuertes's Hawk. Location: near the intersection of 61st and Valmont, Boulder County. Here's a link to the photo and discussion: http://tinyurl.com/FuHa-12-10 

Something else. From time to time on COBirds, we discuss the use of four-letter codes (a.k.a. "banding codes" or "alpha codes"). Some people hate them. Some people swear by them. Nobody is neutral. And I note that there's an interesting commentary and discussion about all of this, going on right now, at The ABA Blog: http://blog.aba.org/2014/12/open-mic-the-deal-with-alpha-codes-part-1.html

I'm just the messenger. Although if you want my opinion on the use of four-letter codes in birding listserves, I'm the guy with his finger stuck far down his throat... :-)

Seasons greetings to all of you!

Ted Floyd

Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado