2 THE AUD U BO NB UL OE 
Report Your Nesting Observations 
By MILTon D. THOMPSON 
BIRDING IS FUN. The study and observation of birds is a healthful and 
rewarding hobby for thousands and work for a comparative few. We have 
some outstanding bird guides and bird books that are helpful and that we 
all depend upon. Have you ever stopped to wonder where the information 
they contain came from? 
It came from recorded observations. Where are those records? Where did 
they come from? Who is maintaining records today? A very high percentage 
of the work is being done by the serious amateur, and is being published by 
him. What can we do? 
Already many of you are cooperating with the winter bird census. Some, 
though not nearly enough, are sending reports of their unusual observations 
to the editor of The Audubon Bulletin. Others are turning in completed 
field check lists to the Illinois State Museum. All of this should be continued 
and expanded. Whenever your clubs take group trips, the records of 
observations should be recorded at least in your own club minutes, as should 
the reports of your individual members. 
I would like to suggest another project for clubs and for the individual 
member as well. I am urging that we begin this very spring and summer to 
keep and publish nesting records. These can be of two types. The first is 
much like your present check list report — just a report of all nests observed. 
The species, the date of observation, the condition of the nest (nest being 
built, number of eggs, number of young, nesting success, etc.) and the 
locality (county, type of area, location of nest, etc.) should all be included. 
For instance, it might read: 
Bluebird, June 13, 1957, open woods, nesting in hollow oak tree, 
three young birds in nest, New Salem State Park, Menard County. 
Or, if it is a nest you see repeatedly, you could give such observations as 
date first observed, date first egg laid, date incubation began, date eggs 
hatched, date young left the nest, etc. All or any portion of such data would 
be helpful. If this data were sent to me at the Illinois State Museum, 
Springfield, Illinois, by September Ist or immediately after your first fall 
club meeting, I would be glad to tabulate and edit the reports into one 
general report for the editor of The Audubon Bulletin. 
May I urge you not to overlook the common birds in these reports. The 
nests of robins and starlings should be reported just as reliably as those of 
green towhees and yellow-crowned night herons. And above all, may I urge 
you to use utmost caution and discretion in observing nests. Of all nests 
found by people, less than 40%, as indicated by studies, are successful in 
producing young birds. Observe your nests from a distance if possible. Do 
not disturb the foliage, the branches or other material that gives conceal- 
ment or support for the nest. Do not approach too closely when young are 
well developed, as they may desert the nest prematurely. A mirror held 
above a nest often will show you the condition of the nest without climbing 
to the nest. 
