eBird Rules and Best Practices - a good resource

[David Suddjian]

My June monthly update from eBird helped me to notice their help page on 

eBird Rules and Best Practices.  There is some great info here about what to include or not include on your checklists, when to start a new list, considering distances and checklist locations, using remotely-generated media (including feeder cams), and much more great info. I'll bet even eBird vets will find some new insights and guidance here, or be reminded of such. I'd recommend all eBirders take some time to consider the content on this help page.

To add a bird report to keep this especially relevant for CoBirds, let me share that the Northern Bobwhite that made its way on June 25 to the area near my home in Ken Caryl JeffCo has remained "in the wild" in an open space area along Massey Draw. I hear it calling every day, usually beginning near 5:15 am. I'm not sure why he has chosen to remain near my home instead of moving on, after traveling some distance to get here. Perhaps he found somewhere he likes to feed (but not at my feeding station, at least not yet). This checklist from June 30 has video and recordings of this quail. Be aware that the videos include a neighbor cat that would like to have caught Bobby, but Bobby was too fast. Some viewers may be disturbed to see this hunting feline with the quail parading back and forth in front of it, so view at your own discretion. I am glad that eBird now permits me to report and track such exotic escapees which are interesting but not established in the wild without affecting my birding stats. 

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO