MOB, mob, m. ob. or mobs?

[Joe Roller]

It's common to report that a bird was seen by many observers. Even if one makes a list of all the birders in the group, why mention those 

names when "m. ob." will suffice? Who wants their names in the Big Database that documents that the bird was seen during your "lunch hour," 

as so many rarities are. In fact, for birders, the "lunch hour" is the interval between 9 AM and 3:30 PM, but that is expandable depending on how mega 

a megararity is.  I know a birder who drove to New Mexico and back over "the lunch hour."

The useful shorthand for a "whole bunch of birders" is some variation of "m. ob."  Or is it "M. Ob."

Also frequently seen are "mob" or "Mob"   which seems to mean many, many observers, a mob, which is larger than a gaggle or an ogle of birders.

As long as the letters "M," "O," and "B" are included, every reader knows what is meant. Sadly, it is extra sad when a bird is seen nine times daily

by a "mob" or by "m. ob." but you were not there to be part of the mob. Can you spell "dip?" How sad is that?

Joe Roller, Denver

TMTOMH   

(too much time on my hands)

[Dan Stringer]

That's hilarious Joe. Reminds me of me.

I left my house today at 6:30 a.m. to take an early lunch, returning at 6 p.m. (all counties). Most memorable bird was Blue-winged Teal at 130-something-th and and Buckley (Adams Co). SOB (some other birders). Returned some voice-mails, replied to some e-mails on my phone.   And I never stopped to eat.

Dan Stringer

Larkspur, CO