Nevada Bird Records Committee : Documentation
of Significant Bird Sightings Form
If you have observed a rare bird in Nevada, a written description
is an excellent way of providing a credible and permanent record
of your observation. The purpose of the Nevada Bird Records Committee
(NBRC) is to archive all records of Nevada Review Species, for the
long-term objective of determining patterns of occurrence and distribution
of Nevada’s avifauna. NBRC requests documentation for all observations
of species on the Nevada Review List. For a list of these species,
click here.
A written description is essential for NBRC’s primary goal of archiving
records of Nevada Review Species, but supporting documentation (e.g.,
photographs, sketches, specimens, sound recordings) is eagerly sought
by the committee too. All forms of documentation (written descriptions
plus supporting materials) are archived in perpetuity by the Barrick
Museum of Natural History in Las Vegas.
As soon as NBRC receives this documentation form, you will be notified
by postcard that your record is in review by the Committee. After
NBRC has evaluated your record (this process can require up to one
year), you will be notified in writing of the Committee’s decision.
Note: the important thing is not whether your record is “accepted”
by the committee; the important thing is the permanent archival
record of your observation. NBRC proceedings are published annually
in Great Basin Birds.
Please print out the form below (or the MS Word version of the form), fill it out, and mail it to:
Nevada Bird Records Committee
c/o Great Basin Bird Observatory
1755 E. Plumb Lane
Suite 256A
Reno, NV 89502
OR
E-mail the information that the form requests, along with supporting
materials to:
1. Species
Common Name: ____________________________________________________
Scientific Name: ________________________________________________
2. Number of birds observed: ____________________________
3a. Sex (if known): _____________________________________________
3b. Age, e.g., adult, immature, juvenile (if known): _________________
3c. Plumage/Molt, e.g., basic, alternate, juvenile (if applicable):
_____
4a. Distance to bird, and how determined: _______________________________
4b. Light conditions, e.g., orientation to sun: _________________________
4c. Optical equipment used: _______________________________
5. Date(s) observed: _________________________________________
6. Time of observation
From: __________________________________ To: ________________________
7a. Habitat, e.g., suburban yard, weedy field, open water: _____________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
7b. Exact location: ______________________________________________
________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(Provide page and grid number from DeLorme’s Nevada Atlas and
Gazetteer if
possible.)
8. Other observers: ____________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
9. Context, e.g., other birds present, weather conditions, behavior
observed,
song or other vocalizations, prior experience, and anything
else that will aid
the committee in evaluating your record: _______________________________
___________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________
10. Description. Describe plumage, bare parts, and jizz, plus
anything else
that will aid the committee in evaluating your record: ______
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
11. Separation from similar taxa. Describe both (a) how you
separated the
bird from higher-order taxa (e.g., families, genera) and (b)
how you separated
the bird from similar species within its family and/or genus:
______
_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
12. Your name and mailing address (required), plus phone number
and/or e-mail
address (optional): ________________________
______________________________________________________________________
13. Check one of the following:
___This report is based on notes made during the time of observation.
___This report is based on notes made after the observation,
i.e., from memory.
14. Are you positive of your identification? ___Yes ___No
14a. If “No”, please explain:
______________________________________________________
15. Are you submitting additional documentation? ___Yes ___No
15a. If “Yes”:
___additional written description
___photocopy of field notes
___photocopy of field sketch
___photograph
___sound recording
___specimen
___videotape
(check all that apply)
_________________________________________________________
Important: In order for the committee to evaluate your record,
it is essential that you complete each
section of this form.
Important: the committee strongly encourages written documentation
in addition to what you provide on this form. If you choose
to submit additional documentation, it is still required that
you fill out this form so that your record can be properly archived
and referenced.
Send your completed form to:
Nevada Bird Records Committee
c/o Great Basin Bird Observatory
1755 E. Plumb Lane
Suite 256A
Reno, NV 89502
OR
E-mail the information that the form requests, along with supporting
materials to
|
|
