LD NOTES 
by VERNON M. KLEEN 
SPRING MIGRATION 
NEW POLICIES AND FORMAT! 
As most observers have requested, the FIELD NOTES section has 
been changed to a seasonal format. The four report periods have logically 
been labelled: SPRING MIGRATION, BREEDING SEASON, FALL MI- 
GRATION and WINTER SEASON. With the seasons so named, there will 
be overlapping calendar dates for the reporting data. March, for example, 
is considered part of the WINTER SEASON; however, many species are 
already migrating and a few are nesting by then. These different data will 
be published in the appropriate Seasonal Report rather than during a 
report period bounded on each side by calendar dates (which American 
Bird uses). However, each season must have a pre-determined ending date 
and reporting deadline so that the data can be properly and conveniently 
published. These dates will be as follows: 
Date reports 
Pre-determined due to Field 
SEASON Season Ending Date Notes editor* 
WINTER SEASON April 10 April 15 
SPRING MIGRATION June 10 June 15 
BREEDING SEASON August 10 August 15 
FALL MIGRATION December 10 December 15 
* For convenience of reporters, all records to be used in future 
seasonal reports, but occurring in earlier seasons (Ex., nesting 
Great Horned Owls found in March) can be reported along with 
the WINTER SEASON field notes you submit; however, these 
records will only be used in the BREEDING SEASON report. 
(Obesrvers are encouraged to submit their field notes to the 
editor in advance of the deadline). 
State and national policies already require the thorough documentation 
of any rare species or unusual observations. Special documentation forms 
are readily available to all observers needing them. Such observations not 
satisfactorily documented cannot and will not be published. This may 
seem harsh, but it is absolutely necessary since too many obvious mis- 
identifications have already been published. All observers, regardless of 
qualifications, will be required to complete these documentation forms— 
most of the outstanding birders in the state have already been completing 
een Observations not documented properly will be assumed as misidenti- 
cations. 
One of the important functions of the FIELD NOTES section is to 
record the significant ornithological occurrences in Illinois. Another func- 
tion is to record the drastic and subtle changes in bird populations. A new 
