How does the GBBC go about making sure the bird lists are accurate? I live in Bennington, Vermont. I saw an immature yellow-bellied sapsucker on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, that species is not on the regional bird list for my area. I added this observation to the comments section, but observations posted there are not included in the bird tally.

I'm the same guy in Bennington, Vermont who saw the immature yellow-bellied sapsucker, only to find it was not on the regional species list. Well, I just recroded an eastern towhee (it has been at my feeder all winter), and discovered that it also is not on the regional bird species list. I sure hope the species lists are updated to accurately reflect the spatial distribution of the various species.

I think that there is a button at the top of the checklist that says add rare species or add species. This is how the checklists on ebird work.

I, too, have a question about accuracy of reporting. I have just checked the reports for Herndon, VA, where I found 1 report of 12 Red-breasted Nuthatches and 1 report of 18 American Tree Sparrows. I am one of a number of birders here who are out regularly and none of us have seen either of these species this winter. I also work in a backyard nature store and I talk frequently with people who live in Herndon and feed birds in their backyards and none of them have seen these species, either. Does your data collection system have a way to discount reports that are obviously incorrect? Even 2 Am. Tree Sparrow would be a terrific find for here, but 18 is quite hard to believe. Likewise, Red-breasted Nuthatches are highly variable here in winter; in 2008 they were plentiful; this year, they are very scarce to non-existent. Carol Hadlock, Herndon, VA, 20170

I have been watching birds for 15 years and this year I notice that I am not seeing birds at my feeders that normally appear. Last year (2008) I had red-breasted nuthatches and brown creepers. None this year. Also I don't seem to have any sparrows. I have 13 feeders (tubes, platforms, ground), use speciality seeds & nuts, provide suet, and have a heated birdbath. I enjoy watching immensely. I do have lots of pine siskins and am hoping to see a crossbill as they have been seen in the area.

I got you a Puffin... well not me, but a very reputable observer here in NJ.

In a bird book that I have(Peterson's Field Guide to Birds, c 1980) it identifies the Eastern Towhee as "Rufous-Sided Towhee". When I went to Birds of North American Online, it identified this bird as the Eastern Towhee. What is the correct name for this beautiful bird and one of my favorites? Elaine Robinson 2-18-2009 10:25 AM

Correct name is Eastern Towhee. You might want to purchase Peterson's new and last field guide c 2002 (FIFTH EDITION).

I prefer the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America. The illustrations are every bit as good as the other field guides, and the summer and winter distributions of birds are provided for all of North America.

Have sighted the Olive warbler here several days after I submitted my list.