What to do when you find a rare bird

Finding a rare bird is a dream come true, but what you do after finding it can be critical to if the record gets accepted or rejected. This video covers some recommendations on how to document your finds, advice on reporting the sighting to others, and encouragement to help people looking.

0:00 Intro
0:34 Document
5:39 Field Notes
10:02 Don't use references
10:40 Use references
11:02 Report the sighting
13:50 Help out

[hairiestwizard]

To add to the idea that sharing a rare bird feels good, nothing beats the feeling of someone driving from out of town or even out of state to see a bird you spotted!

[HawkInTheLens]

Super insightful and well structure video as always!

The quote “It’s better to be fast and wrong than to let something good get away” will stick with me. Love it!

[paulwilloughby]

If it's calling, get a sound recording. Smart phones do this just fine. Could be the difference between accept and not proven

[JarMaster]

Were always so caught up with trying to get the perfect video that we often forget to just soak up the moment and observe for yourself :)

[brendangrube]

I know many birders that can identify birds from a long list of possibilities and get quality pictures within seconds. That is the game and skill you can play with.

[brighteyedbirding]

Thanks Doug for this extremely informative video! I've been finding these super helpful! Keep up the good work!

[silashernandez]

Gotta love all the great additional birds that are found in response to so many eyes looking for a rarity.

[ShaynaCossetteBirding]

An excellent video with important information for all birders!

[oldtimer]

have been birding for only a few years and went down this road a couple days ago. thought it was just an uncommon bird I hadn't seen yet. Was lucky it was cooperative. I take lots of pictures no matter how far because I'm not that certain on lots of birds. Ended up taking 450 of just this one bird. The 1st were very far away and the last were very close no doubters. I wanted someone to tell me what it was. Posted it to a local FB page within an hour. Will be only 4th record for this bird in the state. Take lots of pictures you can always delete them.

[enixxe]

Is there such a thing as too much detail when submitting a rare species you found to eBird? Likewise, if it's a bird where I'm not 100% sure of the ID (such as the long-billed dowitcher I recently saw where I didn't actually know for sure it was a long-billed while observing it, but both types are rare here and I wanted it to show up in the RBA so others might get to see it, which wouldn't happen with the slash tag) and I later learn what I need to positively ID it, is it at all confusing to the reviewer if I go back and edit my notes extensively before they've contacted me? The two or three rare species I've personally discovered since I started using eBird this year were all in rather poor conditions for my smartphone camera or I didn't have my digiscope attachment with me, so I've basically been relying on my written report.

Unrelated to this video, but is there a certain point where I should take action (not sure what action) if my rare sighting has not been reviewed? I've had a peregrine falcon sitting in queue for nearly two weeks, despite having clear pictures attached (the photos still have the unconfirmed mark on my profile, which is how I know) and the rest of the rare bird alert being marked confirmed multiple times in the meantime.

[viewer-of-content]

As a hunter and a photographer, "shoot first and ask questions later, " is terrible advice for one of my hobbies. I always Identify first and then decide which way Im legally allowed to shoot.