I just exchanged messages with a nice fellow who, following clues from others, got good looks at a rare Ohio species, then--following other clues--commendably wrote it up for the Ohio Bird Records Committee. I have the feeling his write-up will pass muster and clearly verify the species' occurrence so it can be added to state records (as perhaps Ohio's latest spring occurrence!), but I do regret the Committee did not hear from several other more experienced observers who earlier announced having seen and identified this bird. Luckily, this one observer documented the occurrence. Records of occurrences of rarities (review species) that are deemed adequate to verify occurrences are an important part of study of our avifauna. Not all that long ago birders routinely shot such birds and preserved them; some birds that were rare in Ohio (a number of them extinct now) can now be verified only by these old skins, when they can (infrequently) be located. Many others lack proof: historically, some of Ohio's best observers have reported species that, lacking a specimen or an adequate description, must omitted from the official list. Just to mention terns, these include roseate and gull-billed (neither on Ohio's list); but we do have an adequate description of the far less likely large-billed tern. Some correcting agency was needed. There are some species that probably should have been, and many others that soon may be, added to the state list. It is a list far more important than any of our own little individual life lists for Ohio, and more important for scientific purposes. Here--as in almost every state and province--a panel of knowledgeable and dispassionate birders with recognized expertise--our Bird Records Committee--has for decades determined which species belong on the state list, and maintained records to verify them. Until someone else has a better idea, the Committee's decisions will rule on the status of occurrences of rare birds documented in Ohio. A few people report rarities in Ohio, but do not submit their details, photos, etc. to the OBRC or any established peer-review source; their finds may not go into recognized records, and I guess they don't care. More helpful information about the Committee, including the official Review List (birds which require scrutiny from the OBRC to add to official records), and an official state list of birds (I assume the OOS is keeping these up to date) is at http://www.ohiobirds.org/site/committee/overview.php . Also available there is a lot of information on how to document rare species so their presence can be added to reliable and verified records. I've served on the OBRC for several terms, and I can attest that all documentations get careful consideration, and that the Ohio list is solidly based. There was no other source of communal expertise among Ohio birders until The Ohio Cardinal organized the Committee decades ago. Membership on the OBRC is now determined by current members on a yearly schedule, and feedback from Ohio birders is welcome. All RC comments on records are available to the public, minus only the name of the voter. As a current member, I'm now willing to announce that I will not vote for membership for any person who publicly reports having seen a Review Species without subsequently submitting formal documentation of such a sighting to the Committee. That seems to be a one common-sense criterion among many. However that works out, I feel reports of rarities to the Committee will get fair treatment, and that the Ohio list will remain full and accurate. If you find a rare bird, take copious notes and photos if possible, looking forward to completing a report that others can review; you don't even have to venture an opinion as to what species it was, only to describe it as completely and accurately as you can. Too many observers seem willing to publicly announce unusual sightings, but not to back them up in a more careful way for historical purposes. Many reporters don't seem to know for sure which bird occurrences are unusual and which are routine; this information is available at the above web address. Think about what an official state list means to everyone, and you'll see the point. Bill Whan Columbus ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]