Fran Saunders wrote:

>I don't remember where I saw it and perhaps it is just something of a "code
>of honor" (and certainly nothing official), but I believe I read something
>like: The first sighting for any major list should be visual.  Thereafter,
>the bird can be counted if heard only.  Sounds reasonable, anyway.
>
>
That is the old ABA rule, which is probably where you heard it.  The
current rule is that heard birds count.  I believe that the argument
that persuaded the ABA rules committee to change the rule is that
occasionally birders needing to hear a bird before counting disturb the
bird or its habitat excessively.  If the bird is already identified, and
is very reclusive, why tempt people to spend ages and ages trying to see
it?  Reward the conscientious birders by letting them count the bird
that they heard and left alone.

>Fran Saunders
>Silver Spring, MD
>MOS Web Site Director
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>Behalf Of Barry Marsh
>Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 8:44 AM
>To: 
>Subject: [MDOSPREY] Chuck-will's Widow & Voice ID Life List Question
>
>Hi,
>
>A wonderful weekend kayak camping trip at Assateague Island National
>Seashore helped me add a new bird to my life list, the Chuck-will's
>Widow...I think.  The Park's list includes the Chuck-will's Widow, and,
>based on another kayaking birder's ID and listening to sound files
>afterward, we're pretty sure we heard them all around the Green Run
>backcountry campsite through the evening hours Saturday and Sunday.  But
>we never saw any.
>
>So far, every bird on my North American life list (255 species to date) is
>one I've gotten a good solid look at.  Chuck-will's Widow would be the
>first I'd consider adding based on voice alone.  What is the general
>feeling among birders about including in their life lists birds one has
>heard but not seen?  Thanks!
>
>Barry D. Marsh
>Baltimore, MD
>
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>

--
Maurice Barnhill
  [Use ReplyTo, not From]
[bellatlantic.net is reserved for spam only]
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716

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