Subject: Bird lists w/ photos
Date: Jul 02 23:01:40 1996
From: Arlene Sopranzetti - cpelog


>> (b) judged just as
critically as a new state record would be judged, with the accompanying
reliance on photos, detailed written descriptions, corroboration by more
than one observer, etc.; or <<

A bird only goes onto my life list if I have a photograph showing
positive identifying field marks. I know I have missed many life birds
by a lousy photograph or snapping the perfect shot when I was at the end
of the film, but if anyone ever doubts the birds I have seen I have the
pictures as proof. The picture also helps my bird identification
skills because I comb through my 3 field guides looking for all possible
matches. If there is any doubt between two birds then I photograph the
bird again clinching the differing field marks.

I don't use a flash or harass the birds. I have a beautiful photo album
of all my lifebirds that I cherish and look at often. This method works
best for me because I can not positively id a new bird without
consulting my books, I can not sketch, and can never remember the bird
songs by the time I get home.

Anyway, I don't think it unreasonable to request a photograph for a new
state sighting. Or else there could be a scale of confidence applied to
the bird, 100% for a photograph, 100% for a multi-confirmed sighting,
75% for a single-person sighting.

The fledging birds in my backyard include: flickers, red-breasted
nuthatches, starlings, crows, and juncos.
--

Arlene Sopranzetti, Renton, WA
Heritage Software Inc. - Accounting CPE Tracking Software
http://www.halcyon.com/cpelog/