The County Rarities Committee urges all serious observers, however experienced, to complete rarity forms so that a truly scientific record can be maintained of the county’s avifauna. Observers finding a national or county rarity should take a description in writing and if possible obtain a photograph and find another competent observer to confirm the identification. When submitting a rarity description, observers should include as much possible detail, taken from field notes (which should ideally be included in the submission), bearing in mind that the Rarities Committee can only assess the submission from the information provided by the observer. Line drawings are always useful and greatly appreciated by the committee, no matter how poor the artist perceives them, and can often provide great clarity to the overall submission.

 

Above: Example of actual field notes (Ian McKerchar)

The use of digital photographs is increasing dramatically and whilst we would encourage the use of photographs, especially as an addition to a submission, observers should still continue to obtain high quality field notes, even if the submission meets the criteria for assessment by photo only, as field notes may be invaluable in the event of a query. Digital photographs of any quality should be provided to the committee as an email attachment (not included within the text of an email or other document), preferably without any computer enhancement or touch-ups and of any file size.

Conventional film photographs and professionally developed digital photographs should be included, preferably of atleast 6’x4’ size and home printed digital photographs are acceptable provided the print quality is of a sufficiently high standard. We would welcome observers requiring advise with any of the above processes to contact Ian McKerchar to discuss the matter.

            Depending on the circumstances, of which the welfare of the bird is paramount at all times, with serious consideration given to access and possible habitat damage, the sighting may be reported to one of the commercial bird information services. Observers in any doubt should immediately contact Ian McKerchar 01942 701758/07958 687481 or County Recorder Judith Smith 01942 712615/07970 778024 for advise.

         All national rarities should be submitted initially to the Assistant County Bird Recorder, Ian McKerchar and NOT directly to BBRC, which enables me to make a copy of the submission and to iron out any queries before it is then forwarded to this very busy committee. This route for submissions is also that preferred and requested by BBRC

No county or national rarity will be accepted unless supported by a description, other than, in the case of an ‘on the nod’ decision of a county rarity, the finder is informed by the Assistant County Recorder (Rarities) or the County Recorder. All observers, however experienced, are required to submit descriptions: it would be invidious to make exceptions. It is imperative that observers complete the necessary rarity forms as it is universally accepted that only those records of rarities which are submitted in writing to the appropriate county or national committee will stand as authenticated observations, and can therefore be used for national statistics, conservation purposes etc. It is the function of the county bird report, in each ornithological recording county to maintain a definitive list of authenticated records. This list may of course contradict records received in clubs or site reports.