The rules of listing

Welcome to episode 19 of the BirdGuides Podcast! Lots of birders keep lists – but what counts, what doesn't, and who gets to decide? In this episode, David, Ian, Josh and Sam debate the various grey areas within the hobby.

In this episode

• Different lists for different birders
• What counts as seeing – or identifying – a bird?
• Does a heard-only bird count in the same way as one seen?
• Where does a bird have to be for it to count?
• Is there a difference between seeing a bird in a place and seeing it from that place?
• Should a bird count if it has been assisted by a ship, either deliberately or accidentally?
• Why do people keep Britain and Ireland lists?

Episode timestamps

02:10 – The most important lists for the guys

04:03 – Observation type

24:10 – Boundaries

33:28 – Human intervention

52:30 – The British recording area

58:18 – Final thoughts and dream list additions

Links

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Ruddy Shelduck photo by Mark Woodhead.