Tweets,
As many are aware the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) starts today and goes through Monday. Organizers are hoping that this year participants finally break over the 100,000 list submission mark! Data entry is easy (similar to ebird) and it gives everyone an excuse to do some birding this weekend. I am once again doing the statewide review of the sightings. Similar to ebird reviews or CBC reviews, it is merely a gentle filter to make sure that unusual birds and numbers of birds are accurate. So, here is my plea to all: If you find something unusual, you can save time on the reviewing end by taking a picture or good notes of the bird. As with any review, my asking isn't challenging the sighting but to require some details to accept a great sighting into the database. Unusual birds and numbers are out there to be found and if people can do a little leg work when they find that good sighting it will save me time and give me more time to actually get out and bird! Unusual sightings would typically be either an unusual species for that area (American tree sparrow in Seattle), unusual numbers (15 purple finches in Ellensburg) or unusual timing of the species (barn swallows this weekend). Note that any of the examples could occur, they are just not the norm and thus need to be documented.

Thanks to all and happy counting!

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA