> The members of the Washington Bird Records Committee often
> bemoan the fact of the proliferation of records of rare species without
> adequate documentation, and it's hard to say which is the most
> frustrating--a submitted report with no documentation or an unsubmitted
> report! "Familiarity breeds contempt" should not be construed to mean that,
> once a species is known to occur in a state every year, any report of it is
> automatically acceptable.
>
> Dennis Paulson, Univ. of Puget Sound


While I agree with Dennis's sentiment, I think this frustration works both
ways. As someone that is interested in the records that the committee has
reviewed, I can say that there has been a equal lack of communication
from the committee to the birding community. There are many active birders
out there that are completely unaware that such a committee exists. Where
can folks find out what species are still being reviewed? The only place
that I know of is the WOS field card. According to the card, birds seen
less than 15 times in the state should have a report submitted to the
Records committee. These species are denoted by being italicized. Tufted
Duck is not listed as a species that needs to be reported. How are we to
know what needs reporting and what doesn't ???

I publicly urge the records committee to do a better job of making public
the information that it has reviewed. I also urge people interested in
reporting birds sightings, birding, birds, bird feeders, feathers, Daffy
the Duck, or what ever, to join WOS and get involved.

(If any one out there is not a member of WOS and would like to be, send
$10 for individuals and 14 for families to the Washington Ornithological
Society, POBox 85786, Seattle, WA 98145)

From: Russell Rogers <rrogers at halcyon.com>