Reporting Bird Sightings
The Iowa Ornithologists' Union, which serves as the repository of
data on the state's bird population over time, encourages
reporting of bird sightings by beginners as well as experts.
There are several ways to report sightings of the birds you see
with the method somewhat dependent upon the rarity. This guide is
intended to help you decide which method or methods to use.
- IA-BIRDS – the Listserve is the quickest way to spread the word
to many people about a good bird or to provide some insight into
seasonal changes as they are happening. The list is also the
primary source of reports for the weekly RBA. If you are not
subscribed, you may join by clicking here.
- Iowa Birds & Birding Website Feedback – sightings may be
reported through the feedback form on the website, but the webmaster
may or may not be available to respond immediately. See #1 above to
post information yourself.
- Seasonal Field Reports – One of the major activities of the
Iowa Ornithologists’ Union is to maintain seasonal reports of
bird activity and populations throughout the state. Unlike the
immediate reporting of the Listserve, these bits of data are
entered into our database and compiled each quarter by the
seasonal editors for Iowa Bird Life. While reports on the list
are important for immediate communication, field reports are
even more important for archiving the state of bird populations
over time. Reports generally consist of unusual sightings or
concentrations;
first, peak, and last dates of migrants; and early and late
dates. If you report an unusual bird to the list, please
consider logging into the field reports entry page and adding
your sighting there as well. Registration is free and you will
be adding to the data available for future generations.
- Rare Bird Documentation Form – Occasionally there is a need to
capture even more detail of a bird sighting than is possible in the
short comments of field reporting. For species categorized as
accidental or casual on the state list (see review list), documentation is required.
The rule of thumb is that if your species appears in the dropdown
box of the form, you should write a documentation report. These may
change from year to year as status is better understood and refined. Sometimes,
for early and late dates, the seasonal editor may also request
that you complete a documentation form. These documents, along with the Records Committee
votes and comments, provide written verification of unusual
sightings. The documentations are reviewed quarterly in conjunction
with the seasonal report. To understand better the process of the
Records Committee, please see the Records Committee web page.
Want copies of your written documentations submitted through the
web? Check out My Documentations.
- Important Bird Areas
Breeding Data - breeding data is needed on
criteria species
found in nominated and designated IBAs.
After visiting one of these areas, particularly in the spring
and summer, please consider adding your observations to the IOU
database and be a citizen-scientist contributor to long-range
conservation of our birds.
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