IBRC Rare Bird Report Form

Rare Bird Report Form...

Accurately reporting what you see to the Idaho Bird Records Committee provides an integral benefit to the Committee's records-keeping process. This e-form is designed to facilitate reporting rarities to the Committee.

To maximize the value of your contribution (achieve an "Accept" vote by the Committee), it's vitally important that you do three things first:

1) Make sure the species you want to report is listed on the Review Species List or is a new species for the state.
2) Read Harry Krueger's article on how to document rarities, written from an Idaho perspective.
3) Extra-curricular activity -- read Steve Summers article on how to document rarities written from the Utah perspective.

Remember, the more complete the write-up, the better your report contributes to our understanding of bird status and distribution in the state. Don't be hesitant to go into detail, provide citations, etc., as applicable.

Convince the Committee through your written documentation that the species you are reporting can be none other than what you say! Without that, the record has significantly less value as part of the official record. But keep in mind that all reports are archived and are included in the tally of reports for the species whether officially accepted or not -- your efforts are greatly appreciated.

If you have trouble filling out the form below, click here to download a form in Rich Text Format (*.rtf), which is readable by a broad spectrum of word processors. You can fill that out and attach it to an email from your home computer. Or simply type out your own report being sure to include the information contained below. An abbreviated, printable CHECKLIST of report information to remember to include can be helpful. It's found here. Send those completed reports to the Committee.

Electronic submission of these reports expedites the whole process and is encouraged; use the form below for best results.

Idaho Bird Records Committee
Rare Bird Report Form

Fill out this form and click "SEND" to submit it straight to IBRC.

Allow me to repeat -- the more complete your write-up, the better chance it has of being accepted by the Committee and becoming an official piece of the status puzzle for that bird.

Finally -- avail yourselves of the "help" section by clicking the question mark (?) in each segment below. You'll find lots of useful information there on how to best fill in that part of the form.

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First of all -- to show you're human (as opposed to a computer spambot), you MUST answer the following question in the box below before your report can be submitted:

What color is an orange?



SPECIES:		Be sure this species is on the Review List, or is a potential first state record!
Quantity:		How many; what age(s) / sex(es), if known
DATE OF SIGHTING:

REPORTER:		Please include your: name, mailing address, phone
Email Address:		Email required

OTHER OBSERVERS:		Indicate the name of the person who found the bird, if known, as well as other people who saw the bird. Provide contact information if possible.

DATE REPORT PREPARED:

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:		Be specific: town, county, jurisdiction, park name, road intersections, latitude / longitude, etc., as applicable.

HABITAT:		Field, forest, desert, sage, water, backyard, etc.

SIGHTING DURATION CONDITIONS & EQUIPMENT USED:		How long did you observe the bird? Also describe weather, wind, temperature, distances to bird, location of sun, optics used, etc.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?	Yes, during the observation Yes, later the same day Yes, another day after the observation No, not at all	Select one.

DID YOU CONSULT A FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCE WORK?	Yes, during the observation Yes, later the same day Yes, another day after the observation No, not at all	Select one.

WHICH GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?		Include at least title, author, and publication year for each reference used. Cite these references in your write-up below if you mention obscure field marks that may not be known by the average birder.

DESCRIPTION: This is the single most important part of the report!		Describe in detail all parts of body seen. What FIELD MARKS did you observe. Here's where your observation skills begin to be appreciated!
Don't forget to click the "help link" () for further information on what this section requires! Note that "Entire bird" or "It looked just like the pictures in the field guide" are not adequate descriptions!

BEHAVIOR:		Fully describe feeding method, vocalization, flight pattern, preening, comparison to nearby birds, interactions with other birds, etc.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?		Remember to cite references if a critical field mark you mention may not be known by the average birder.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES? WHAT WERE THEY?		This is a very important part of the report, as many species look or act alike and can be easily confused. Describe in as much detail as possible why your species isn't one of any number of similar species -- whether more common OR more rare!

WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS (AND SIMILAR) SPECIES?		How familiar are you with them, and where did you get that familiarity?

DESCRIBE YOUR GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:		How long have you been birding? How would you rate your level of expertise?

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED FROM THIS SIGHTING?	Photo Video Audio None	Check all that apply.
If you can scan your scribbled field notes, sketches, etc., and email them to us (as JPGs), they can be a valuable addition to your rare bird report, further convincing the Committee of the care you took in the field in documenting this rarity.

If you have electronic files (scanned field notes, photos, video, audio, etc.) supporting your observation, you'll have a chance to send them on the next screen, after you SEND this Rare Bird Report.
THANK YOU!

Check here for bird and along with report
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