Post by Gord on Mar 19, 2008 22:46:48 GMT -8
In replying to Wetlander's Western Bluebird sighting I realized I should put this up so this term is understood. It is used frequently on our checklists and sighting records (as SR). Kathy's Swainson's Hawk, which would be extremely rare had to go in this section. I have no doubts what Kathy saw even before she shared the great fieldmarks she recorded. My Sedge Wren is there as well. I sketched what I saw, but for something like that to not be a SR, it needs a photo or to hang around for more people to see.
Anyway in more detail, what SR means is that it was a record for a rare bird, without photos or multiple observers, but has key fieldmarks verbally described.
This by no means is intended to suggest inability or error in what you are reporting. It is purely to place records within a standard where all are the 'same'. I know I used to frown a little, especially on Christmas Bird Counts, when asked to fill out a Rare Bird Form for a rare bird species that I saw but did not photograph. With my eyes, I was looking at a large white owl with some black markings. It's a no-brainer to me. But to keep the data consistent, I need to fill out the form to help those who compile the data. It's to help, not to protect my birding reputation!
Here on this site, as I hope everyone has seen, anything goes and there are no mistakes. I hope my Greater Scaup sighting is a great example!
;D ;D
But when the record for a rarity goes as a Sight Record or someone says "Hope you get a picture..." it isnt to mean you are being doubted. It is only to help increase the 'strength' of the sighting for the record books. It's also because we love to see photos!
I hope that makes sense!
So look closely, take good notes and any photos (even really blurry ones!) but feel free to share anything you want even if you were not able to get too much. Sharing the sighting and having fun is important. Where it lies on a record book comes second.
Anyway in more detail, what SR means is that it was a record for a rare bird, without photos or multiple observers, but has key fieldmarks verbally described.
This by no means is intended to suggest inability or error in what you are reporting. It is purely to place records within a standard where all are the 'same'. I know I used to frown a little, especially on Christmas Bird Counts, when asked to fill out a Rare Bird Form for a rare bird species that I saw but did not photograph. With my eyes, I was looking at a large white owl with some black markings. It's a no-brainer to me. But to keep the data consistent, I need to fill out the form to help those who compile the data. It's to help, not to protect my birding reputation!
Here on this site, as I hope everyone has seen, anything goes and there are no mistakes. I hope my Greater Scaup sighting is a great example!
;D ;DBut when the record for a rarity goes as a Sight Record or someone says "Hope you get a picture..." it isnt to mean you are being doubted. It is only to help increase the 'strength' of the sighting for the record books. It's also because we love to see photos!
I hope that makes sense!
So look closely, take good notes and any photos (even really blurry ones!) but feel free to share anything you want even if you were not able to get too much. Sharing the sighting and having fun is important. Where it lies on a record book comes second.
