[CT Birds] COA Birder's Lists Deadline: Jan. 10

[REBECCA I HOROWITZ]

You had a question about documenting sightings.  

Let me start by going off subject a tiny bit.  Dave Provencher's series on finding CT birds, is a valuable resource for all levels of beginners:
http://www.ctbirding.org/resources_ctwinter.htm
Other key resources are published CT site guides (Proctor, 1978; Rosgen & Billings, 1996; Devine & Smith, 1996).

Once you use these resources, the new birds will start piling up.  So, how do you remember all these sightings?  The COA checklist can serve as a CT annual list or life list.  Your checklist doesn't have to be fancy.  

While you are birding, maintaining field notes is a very useful and rewarding habit.  A compact notebook can be used.  In addition to date/time/location sightings a note about weather is also useful.  I sometimes go back to a local NWS source such as Weatherunderground.com, to embellish my notes. Some people are really systematic and transcribe all sightings into fancy databases.  That is not necessary.  The key is to jot down significant numbers of common birds, new birds, out-of season birds, etc.  After a few years (and I would suggest a new notebook for each year) you will become personally aware of seasonal occurrences, etc., of CT birds.  Try to stay with it, but it doesn't have to be a chore, and you don't have to write for hours on end.  Just a few notes after each time outside.   Have fun with it, and in no time you will be constantly referring to your own personal resource.

Steve Mayo
Bethany