The Bird Records Committee has prepared a standard form 
which observers are urged to use in reporting unusual 
bird sightings. It assists observers in presenting their 
account in a clear, concise manner suitable for consider¬ 
ation by the Committee, which prepares such data for 
permanent records. These forms are available from members 
of the Committee, or you may write to the Club box number. 
To give you some idea of what must be kept in mind 
when you are making an observation which may be unusual 
we reproduce here the categories of information and the 
questions contained in the form. 
VERIFICATION FORM FOR UNUSUAL BIRD SIGHTINGS 
1 SPECIES IDENTIFIED (number, sex, adult/immature) 
2 OBSERVERS: 
3 DATE, TIME and PLACE OF OBSERVATION 
4 LIGHT CONDITIONS (a) sunny, partial cloud, full cloud, 
heavy overcast 
(b) position of sun with respect to observer and bird 
(c) was the bird in the open or in shade? 
5 OPTICAL EQUIPMENT USED: (binoculars, telescope, power) 
6 DISTANCE OF OBSERVATION (measured or estimated?) 
7 HABITAT: 
8 ACTIVITIES OF BIRD (e.g. flying, perched, feeding) 
9 LENGTH OF OBSERVATION TIME under conditions described 
10 FULL DESCRIPTION OF BIRD and any other factors influ¬ 
encing the identification (sketches may be attached) 
11 ANY OTHER OBSERVATIONS (song, call notes, diagnostic 
habits, flight): 
12 SIMILAR SPECIES you have considered and eliminated 
and the reasons for doing so: 
13 Names of OTHER OBSERVERS, if any, who INDEPENDENTLY 
identified the bird: 
14 PREVIOUS ACQUAINTANCE with the species (including 
last time studied, where and in which plumage): 
15 Did you use a field-guide or similar aid during the 
observation? 
16 DATE and TIME of writing this report: 
17 SIGNATURE and ADDRESS of the principal observer: 
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