Taxonomic order:
The database will sort taxonomically, so sightings may be in any order.

Entry fields:
Fields are a database term that simply refer to the different pieces of information. All fields should be in the following order, separated by tabs. Please observe Bird Observer protocol, especially in regard to abbreviations and spacing. Fields are: 

Species     Date     Location     Quantity     Observer     Notes

Species: Enter entire species name (e.g. Black-throated Blue Warbler and not Black-throated Blue). You may also use a banding code.

Date: One date per line, unless it is a period of time (e.g. 8/3-24).

Location: Only one location per line. List town only unless there is an approved abbreviation. You may enter a specific location in the notes field.

Quantity: See list of abbreviations for the convention regarding abbreviations and spacing. Please remember to put a space between a number and any description (imm, ad, m, etc.)

Observer: List primary observer only, with # afterwards if there were other observers (other observers may be included in notes if you wish). On a rarity, two observers may be included. If you were not the original person to discover a rarity, please make a note of this in the notes column, and specify the person who found the bird if you have this information.

Notes: Optional. Useful information includes a specific location not covered in abbreviations (e.g. State Park), interesting behavior, a description of unusual bird or plumage, or notation if you are not the original observer of an unusual bird.

Example: Yellow Rail     12/28/2015     Nantucket CBC     1     T. Johansson#

Send to Bird Observer Sightings.