Reporting Rarities

What should you do if you are fortunate to find a rare or unusual species of bird on Arran?

Click for a list of species to be submitted to Scottish and to Clyde Record Committees

Visit this website Rare Bird Reporting   

Below is a brief summary of what to do before, during, and after your encounter:

Before:

Have a fair knowledge of what birds are possible on Arran

Have a working knowledge of the names of the different parts of a bird's external anatomy

During

View the bird as long as is possible or reasonable

Take a photo or a video if at all possible.....even a poor quality image can be very helpful

Be prepared with a small notebook …and use it.

Don't look at a field guide before or while taking notes

Tell the bird recorder for the Arran Natural History Society as soon as feasible

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After

Tell the bird recorder for the Arran Natural History Society as soon as feasible

Refer to reference material and consult "experts"

Write up the appropriare Rarity Report form either Clyde, or Scottish or British. These are all available as a word document download or contact the bird recorder for the Arran Natural History Society for a paper copy.

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