Just as not everyone is on Facebook, not everyone carries a tool to access the Internet at all out with them in the field or feels proficient/comfortable using it. Some people find it easier/faster to use Facebook on their phones than COBIRDS, some people like COBIRDS best, and some people do not even have smart phones or choose not to use them while birding or do not see it as their duty to spend their time in the field on the Internet documenting everything instead of simply enjoying the experience and being in the moment.
I don't think the intent of COBIRDS is primarily as a rare bird chasing reporting tool, although it can help. I think we had a nice post earlier from someone about its original intent. No method of getting the word out about birds is going to be perfect and it is not at all uncommon here as a past or current practice that people report sightings after being in the field, not during, if they report them at all. I think that posting after being in the field is actually probably more common.
So let's please not get angry over someone wanting or not wanting to use Facebook, or someone posting about a rare bird a day late rather than in the moment. As for the Facebook page, no, it was not created as some misunderstood under the belief that COBIRDS was going way. It was first discussed when it was a possibility that the RBA was going away, but never had to do with a thought of COBIRDS going away. It was simply seen by some as another valuable tool that for some folks may get out information faster than COBIRDS or to an audience who likes different tech, etc., that had worked well in other places. The people currently on it are mostly very strong Colorado birders who happen to find Facebook a valuable tool - for example yesterday, we had live video of the PF Goose there. That is not something that can happen on COBIRDS - so it serves its purpose.
Happy Holidays to everyone - I hope you enjoy your Christmas Bird Counts starting this weekend!
Diana Beatty
El Paso Cnty