This aspect of the lab is designed to encourage students to become aware of the local avifauna outside of scheduled lab time. We want you to look for birds on your own. As an incentive, you can earn bonus points for additions to this list of bird sightings.

1) Report all sightings within 48 hours
2) No TWO birds can be reported in the same 24 hour period
3) No THREE birds can be reported in the same 7-day (168 hour) period
4) No domesticated birds, zoo birds, or escapees. Birds must be a member of a population that has "reproduced in the wild for at least three generations".
5) No sightings from any scheduled class period (this class or others).
6) Groups of people that bird together (outside of any scheduled class time) can report the same bird, provided that each individual reports that bird under their name and states in the comments who else was there.
7) You can earn a maximum of 25 points, with each sighting worth 1 point and each nest worth 3 points
8) Nests must be active, which includes nests being built or nests with young. Be wary of birds near unorganized groups of leaves and sticks early in the semester. This is unlikely to be an active nest.
9) Identification is on the honor system. Please be confident that the bird you spot is the species you think it is. If you are unsure, do not report it. Pay close attention to the range maps in your field guide. The instructors of TA's will be more than happy to look at digital photos and help you out if you have trouble and have a camera handy.