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MD/DC Records Committee

Species Sighting Documentation Report


Electronic Format

Use this form to send your sighting report directly to the MD/DCRC Secretary. Please be sure to separately send visual documentation to support your submission. If you need additional space for any item, use item 7.

After using all the space provided, if you still need to include additional notes, send another form or send a more detailed hard copy report to the Secretary. A plain text copy of the form is available with the MD/DCRC Documentation Guide. Remember, this form is for reporting rare and reviewable bird species only. We encourage your participation, but please check the review list first, before you send in a report.

Not all these items will be seen or noted, nor are they all necessary to report or correctly identify a species, but not including something you did see may lessen the value of your documentation. Use the checklists under each section as a reminder of items to include in your report.



Today's Date (mm/dd/yy):

Observer's Full Name:

Observer's Address:

City: State: Zip:

Observer's Telephone Number:

Observer's E-mail Address:

Species Observed:

  • Check the appropriate MD or DC Review Lists to determine if the species is reviewable at this location
  • Any new species, not already on the MD or DC Official Lists are reviewable
  • Any subspecies or forms unusual to MD or DC are reviewable

Date observed or first sighting date (mm/dd/yy):

Last date observed (mm/dd/yy):



Location (county, city, place, habitat, etc.):

  • State, county, jurisdiction, city
  • Place name, town, park, address, road intersection, etc.
  • Habitat description (field, woods, water, plants, etc.)


Number, Sex and Age of Bird(s):

  • Number of birds
  • Sex by plumage or behavior
  • Age by plumage or behavior
  • Unusual plumages or morphs, etc.


Description--Describe the entire bird, not just key field marks:

  • Which bird family does this individual belong to? Why?
  • Posture, size, shape, structure
  • Head: shape, colors, pattern (e.g., stripes)
  • Bill: length, shape, color
  • Eye: color, eye ring, eye stripe, eyebrow
  • Upper parts: nape, back, rump
  • Tail: colors, shape, length
  • Legs: color, length
  • Underparts: throat, breast, belly, flanks, vent
  • Wings: colors, wingbars, length, wing linings


Behavior:

  • Feeding method
  • Vocalization
  • Flight pattern
  • Preening or sleeping
  • Other birds present? Comparisons?
  • Interactions with other birds


Viewing Conditions (weather, time, and optics):

  • Weather conditions; sky/cloud cover
  • Wind/speed and direction
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation (snow, rain)
  • Water/ice, depth, waves
  • Time of day
  • Length of sighting
  • Optics: binoculars/scope; model(s), power
  • Camera, lens, film used
  • Distance to bird
  • Sun location in relation to you and bird
  • Field guide(s) used
  • What parts of the bird couldn't be seen


Observer Experience (with this species and in general):

  • Experience with this species and location
  • Number of years birding


Other Observers:

  • Experience with this species and location
  • Number of years birding


Additional Comments:

  • What separates this bird from other similar species, including extralimitals?

Once again, sketches, photos and videos are encouraged!

Will you be sending additional documentation directly to the secretary?

Yes No

Send your additional documentation to:

Phil Davis, MD/DCRC Secretary
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, MD 21035
(301) 261-0184 (home)
Write to the MD/DCRC


If you have difficulty using this form, print out the hard copy version and send it directly to the Records Committee.

See the form for additional details about what to report, see the Documentation Checklist, and remember that sketches, photos, and videos are strongly encouraged.