Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from interested birders. We hope they answer your question. If not please send us an e-mail at birdrecords@nhaudubon.org.
Q: I'm not a really active birder, is there something in New Hampshire Bird Records for me?
Q: How do I subscribe?
Q: When does the publication come out?
Q: How do I become a reporter?
Q: What birds should I report?
Q: What if I only hear the bird and don't see it?
Q: How do I know if something is a rarity that needs special documentation?
Q: What should I do to document a rare bird?
Q: How come my sightings aren't published?
Q: What do we do with the data?
Q: If I report my sightings to NH.Birds will they also go to New Hampshire Bird Records?
Q: What kind of order is used to list the birds in each issue?
Q: Where do I go to find the birds I read about?
Q: How can I do more?
Q: How can I join a Christmas Bird Count (CBC)?
I'm not a really active birder, is there something in New Hampshire Bird Records for me? Yes, beginning or experienced birders will find something new to learn and enjoy. We have a Photo Quiz to test your bird identification skills, tips on the "birding hot spots" in NH with maps, informative articles written in easy to understand language, a "species spotlight" article, a photo gallery and much more to appeal to every level of birder. Each issue will help you learn where to see birds and what birds are unusual.
How do I subscribe? You can subscribe on line, mail your payment or call us with your credit card information. Our How to Subscribe or Donate page has all the details. Our subscription year covers all four issues from one year and all mid-year subscribers receive all back issues published in the subscription year.
When does the publication come out? New Hampshire Bird Records is a quarterly publication and comes out four times a year. It does not come out on the exact same date or month each year due to variations in production. Because of the time involved in the publication process, entering data, etc., a season usually comes out about five months after the season ends. For example the Spring 2007 issue will not come out until October 2007. The issue is named for the season of records that it includes, often causing confusion since the name of the "current" issue is a season that occurred many months prior.
How do I become a reporter? It's easy, the information is on line and anyone can report. There are instructions on what to report, where and when to send in your reports. There are several different types of forms available for reporting birds you have seen or heard. They are available on How to Report section and may be printed and mailed or downloaded and e-mailed. You can also download an Excel file to fill in on your own computer and e-mail to us. E-mail us at birdrecords@nhaudubon.org if you would like us to mail you a bird reporter packet with forms and information (this is the same material available on the web site).
What birds should I report? In general, report the earliest arrivals, late arrivals, high counts, unusual species or birds in an unusual location for that species. Many other reports are valuable such as nesting records and for more information see What to Report. Every reporter should have a copy of A Checklist of the Birds of New Hampshire (edited by Hunt, et al.) which provides information on each species' abundance in the state and its season of occurrence. It is available on the Armchair Shopper or the Concord nature store.
What if I only hear the bird and don't see it? If you are positive of the identification of the bird song, it can be reported by sound alone. There are many helpful bird song tools available to enable you to learn to identify birds by ear. You can listen to bird songs on your computer via CD's or the web. Check out this website www.whatbird.com.
How do I know if something is a rarity that needs special documentation? If the bird has never been seen in New Hampshire before or is seen only occasionally in the state, it will need special documentation. The New Hampshire Rare Birds Committee has established a list of rare species that require additional documentation and review. Species that are out of place or common species that are seen at the "wrong" time of the year, such as an Ovenbird in January, should also be documented. For more specific guidelines on what constitutes a rare bird go to What is a Rare Bird.
What should I do to document a rare bird? If you think you saw a bird that is considered a rarity be sure to take detailed notes and/or sketches of plumage and any markings that distinguish it from the more common species. Best of all, take photos if you can. As soon as possible fill out the documentation forms with all the details. The form and more information on how to document a rare bird can be found at How to Document a Rare Bird and Documentation Forms.
How come my sightings aren't published? Space is the primary issue, there simply is not enough space to publish each sighting. ALL sightings are valuable and are entered into our database. Each season editor must read through a printout of hundreds of reports and select those which he/she feels represents the overall picture of the season. Editors tend to pick records that reflect the earliest arrivals, late arrivals, high counts, unusual species or an unusual location.
What do we do with the data? All reports are entered into our large computerized database by volunteers. All data is reviewed by the season editor and rare sightings are reviewed by the NH Rare Birds Committee. There are many bird conservation projects that utilize the data such as the state's Wildlife Action Plan and the Important Bird Areas project.
If I report my sightings to NH.Birds will they also go to New Hampshire Bird Records? NO. Although New Hampshire Bird Records (NHBR) will be alert for unusual reports on NH.Birds, we depend on birders to submit appropriate reports to NHBR with necessary documentation for rarities. NHBR needs specific information in a format that allows for easy computerization. This makes the records valuable for bird conservation now and in the future. Rarities need further details and/or photos accompanying the report. In addition, you will not necessarily want to send NHBR all the reports that you post to NH.Birds. We encourage reporters to submit those sightings of greatest significance (see the guidelines on What to Report).
What kind of order is used to list the birds in each issue? The birds are listed according to the American Ornithologists Union's (AOU) Checklist of North American Birds. This is not an alphabetized list but a taxonomic order, or system of classification that uses a bird's form and structure to put them in order. It is the way most bird manuals and checklists are organized.
Where do I go to find the birds I read about? Each issue of New Hampshire Bird Records contains an article on a special place to bird in New Hampshire. Accompanying each article are maps and detailed information about the times to go and what birds you will see there. There are also several books published on where to go for the best birding locales in New Hampshire such as Stephen Mirick's Birding the New Hampshire Seacoast available in our Concord nature store and in the Armchair Shopper and Alan Delorey's A Birder's Guide to New Hampshire, currently out of print. Directions to many birding spots in New Hampshire can also be found at http://nhbirds.wikispaces.com.
How can I do more? You can participate in the Backyard Winter Bird Survey conducted by New Hampshire Audubon the second weekend of February. During the fall you can help observers count migrating raptors. (To volunteer at Pack Monadnock, contact Eric Masterson, emasterson@nhaudubon.org, 603-224-9909x307. To volunteer at Little Round Top, Blue Job, or other NH sites, contact Susan Fogleman, fogleman@cyberportal.net, 603-536-1541 or you can help count the wintering bald eagles along the Merrimack (to volunteer contact Chris Martin, cmartin@nhaudubon.org, 603-2249909x317. Also check the volunteer opportunities listed on the NH Audubon web site.
How can I join a Christmas Bird Count (CBC)? At this annual event, birdwatchers survey birds in a designated "count circle" on a given day. A count survey area stays the same from year to year, comprising a circle fifteen miles in diameter around a central point. International in scope, the CBC is organized and compiled by the National Audubon Society, which coordinates all count circles so they don't overlap. There are 21 counts in New Hampshire, and they are open to all interested birders. Many are run by New Hampshire Audubon Chapters and announced in their individual newsletters. Each count picks its own particular survey day between December 14 and January 5. Teams go out and survey sections of the count circle, but there are also feeder watchers within the circle who tally the birds in their backyards. For a list of the state's Christmas Bird Counts and who to contact if you would like to participate see the Christmas Bird Count preview on the NH Audubon website.