Many folks enjoy bird watching. Not so many, however, keep track of what they find. And fewer still report their findings.
This is an unfortunate scenario, but understandable for several reasons. Reporting your birds can be a tad more work and somewhat complex, especially for newcomers. All that being said, reporting your birds can also be more fun! Here's how to do it in Central New York.
| Year-Round Bird Reporting | Seasonal Bird Reporting |
|---|---|
| ONEIDABIRDS | Birdathon (May) |
| Kingbird | Christmas Bird Counts (Dec. & early Jan.) |
| NYS Avian Records Committee | Cornell Lab of Ornithology Counts (various) |
| Waterfowl Count (Jan.) |
ONEIDABIRDS — This Internet mailing list covers wild birds and bird watching in Central New York.
Many folks are in the habit of returning from the field to their computers — in order to compose informal, colorful, and entertaining messages which share their experiences with other subscribers.
The compiler of the Central New York Rare Bird Alert also monitors this list, so you can kill two birds with one stone — oops, bad metaphor! — by posting your bird sightings here.
Visit ONEIDABIRDS to learn how to subscribe (it's painless), and then post away!
The Kingbird — A quarterly publication of the New York State Ornithological Association, volunteer editors in ten regions statewide distill reports from hundreds of birders in order to publish bird-by-bird summaries for every season.
While reporting formats vary from editor to editor, in general you should be prepared to organize your information in bird checklist order and to give specific dates, locations, and numbers. Try to stay focused on several key pieces of data: Spring and Fall migration arrival (first) and departure (last) dates; maxima; and evidence of breeding. The reporting year breaks down as follows:
Winter
— December through February (deadline March 7).
Spring
— March through May (deadline June 7).
Summer
— June through August (deadline Sept. 7).
Fall
— September through November (deadline Dec. 7).
Most of Central New York falls within Kingbird Region 5, and the editor for this report is Bill Purcell. Send Bill an email to set yourself up as a bird reporter in this area.
If you live or bird largely outside this part of New York State, consult the appropriate web pages at the New York State Ornithological Association to learn how to reach your regional editor.
New York State Avian Records Committee — For purposes of updating the state's constantly changing ornithological record, it's very important that reports of especially rare birds occurring in New York be given formal consideration. NYSARC, a panel of experts, is set up to do just that.
Many folks flinch at the idea of a committee which sits in judgment over such reports, but — given the nature of bird observation — there's really no better alternative.
If you ever observe a bird you believe to be especially rare, consult NYSARC's List of Species to be Reported to see if a report might be desired.
Even if it's a reportable bird which you know other birders also tracked down, you should consult NYSARC's Reporting Guidelines and get cracking on your submission. Many rare finds have gone down in history as mere reports — rather than records — simply because everybody figured somebody else would provide details to NYSARC.
Onondaga Audubon's Birdathon — Touted to be, "The most fun you can have outdoors (with your clothes on) all year," this third-Saturday-in-May bird identification challenge is open to bird enthusiasts of all levels of experience.
Teams are given up to 24 hours (midnight to midnight) to find as many bird species as they're able anywhere within Kingbird Region 5.
Watch this website for more information.
Christmas Bird Counts — Watch for info in the Kestrel and on this website.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Counts — Visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/
January Waterfowl Count — Contact Marge Rusk at 476-7635 if you are interested in participating.