Jenny McClintock wrote: 
 
 "I thought we were encouraged to report all sightings from birding expeditions in 
MD on this list. Am I mistaken? Or should I only be reporting rare and unusual 
sightings? If so, how do we know if a sighting is unusual and therefore 
"list-worthy"? Some less experienced birders on the list might be interested in 
some of the less "unusual" sighting information. As a relative "newbie", I just 
want to make sure I am doing this right." 
 
....
 
Hi Folks!
 
Reporting more is better than reporting less.  {Says one sinner who should report more}  My father was also a birder and his "complaint" was that at the local  bird club only reports of the odd and unusal were being made.  This strongly biased information about "common species.  What is common today may be rare tomorrow and having reports helps track trends.  The database I have tracks all species, including every European Starling, House Sparrow and Rock Pigeon report.  When the House Finch population crashed, there was data to show before and after. 
 
Good Birding!
 
Jim
 
Jim Stasz
North Beach MD