From time to time,
birders across Southern Africa report sightings of very exciting, rare and
unusual bird. In order to ensure the accuracy of these sightings, as well as to
ensure the sighting is not being confused with a potentially more common
species, the BirdLife South Africa Rarities Committee was set up to adjudicate
sightings of rare birds in the region.
How to submit a rarity sighting?
Observers
are encouraged to submit records as soon as possible after the observation
either on paper or preferably electronically. Records should be submitted on
the official form named “South African National Rarities Committee request for
adjudication of a rare bird sighting”. Consideration by the Committee usually
takes 4 to 6 months or longer if re-circulation is necessary. Therefore prompt
submission is essential.
Photographs
are useful for the assessment and observers are therefore strongly encouraged
to photograph their observations and to photograph the bird from as many angles
as possible. Failing that, sketches can be included (no matter how poor
artistically.) We also encourage the submission of original field notes as
these are invaluable in assessment of a rarity. Please include as much detail
as possible relating to the following aspects of the observation:
Habitat
The bird
behaviour
Features
of the plumage
Size
relative to common birds
Bill
structure
Flight
pattern
Bare part
colouration
Flight
pattern
Call
Observers
are encouraged to provide as much information as possible. Photographs alone
may not always fulfil the requirement so detailed descriptions are important.
Records
should be submitted to Trevor Hardaker, Chairman of the BirdLife South Africa
Rarities Committee (hardaker@mweb.co.za)
or for more online resources and information on rare bird
sightings in South Africa click here
If
there is good reason for confidentiality over site and/or observers' names this
should be requested when the record is submitted.
