Special Submission (Rare sightings and Breeding Record)

For rare, new bird species sighting and breeding records, please continue to submit your report to the MNS-BCC Records Committee.

Guidelines for the Submission of COUNTRY Records:

There is a need for supporting evidence to be presented before a new or rare record can be verified and accepted. It is therefore important that detailed notes and relevant sketches accompany descriptions of a new or rare sightings. The Records committee will deliberate on whether a record should be accepted or rejected based on the evidence and details submitted by the observers. Listed below are the guidelines for submission of new or rare records to the Records Committee.
· Name(s) of the observer(s) and witnesses
· Observer(s) and witnesses’ contacts (address, telephone and email, if any)
· Name of the species seen (common and scientific names)
· Date of observation
· Time of day (24-hrs)
· Location (include a relevant sketch map and GPS readings, if possible)
· Include details of optics used (binocular or spotting scope)
· The habitat, including the estimated elevation
· Light and weather conditions
· Estimated distance between observer and bird
· Detailed description of the bird, including size, jizz, details of plumage, and soft parts colours
· Behavioural notes on associated species if any
· Supporting evidence such as fieldnotes, colour photograph, video recordings, and sound recordings of voice where possible
· Additional notes

Below is the standard form, you can also download from MNS-website http://www.mns.org.my/article.php?aid=105

Please submit to:
Records Committee Secretary, c/o MNS-Bird Conservation Council, Malaysian Nature Society, JKR 641, Jln Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-22879422 Fax:03-22878773 Email: mnsrc.rc@gmail.com or email to BIW administrator worldbirds.malaysia@gmail.com




BREEDING RECORD CARDS

Objectives
1. To compile, collate, and disseminate comprehensive data on the breeding biology of all resident birds in Malaysia. This includes referred nesting sites and habitats, the timing of breeding, clutch and brood sizes, hatching and fledging success.
2. To make available all collated information to those interested, such as scientists, birdwatchers, students, etc.

CONSIDERATIONS & PRECAUTIONS
1. Keep disturbances to a minimum. Birds are highly likely to abandon nests at the egg stage rather than when there are nestlings.
2. To look at eggs, make the visit very brief and only ONCE. Do this when the bird is not sitting. DO NOT deliberately flush birds sitting on nest.
3. To record further details of nest material used, do this only after all broods have been fledged and the nest is no longer in use. Do not remove an empty nest as it may be used again.
4. Observe from a safe distance.
5. Do not remove the vegetation surrounding the nest as this will expose the nest to potential predators.
6. When making a visit to examine nest contents, spend only 1-2 minutes once or twice each day (or not at all if the bird is unduly stressed).


Instructions
1. Record only active nests (nests containing eggs and young). If bird species was observed nest building, record the date/dates.
2. Use ONE card for each nest and each clutch of eggs, with appropriate cross-reference where necessary. Record information briefly. If there are a lot of details, attach extra cards or sheets of paper.
3. Identify the bird correctly. Do not submit cards unless identification of the species is 100 percent certain.
4. Write with permanent ink or send in soft copy.
5. Complete initial details for each nest: observer, species, year, locality (as accurately as possible), altitude above sea level, habitat (eg. primary or logged forest, mangrove forest, degraded mangroves, scrub, gardens, disused mining pools, reedbeds, limestone cliff, oil-palm plantation, etc).
6. In the field for nest site, describe it briefly, eg. the fork of a small sapling, 3m above ground, on the side of a gully, beside a stream. Give details of the shape, size & composition of nest (eg. compact cup, 9 cm across & 3 cm deep, moss and plant fibre, externally felted with cobwebs).
7. In the field for notes on eggs, describe shape, size, and colour of eggs if possible (eg. oval, 2.5x2.3 cm, pale blue lightly speckled buff).
8. In the field for Notes on Juveniles, describe colour of juveniles as they develop.
9. In the column for behavioural notes record nesting or feeding behaviour eg. the co-operation of both parents in feeding young & removing the faecal sac. Also record types of food given to young.
10. Fill in details for each visit, including date, time, whether a parent is on the nest (male or female if distinguishable). Note the incubation period of the eggs. Note the age of the young, if this can be determined (stage of feather development of young can roughly indicate age). If nest has been under observation from egg stage, note the fledging period of the young from the time the eggs hatch.
11. If a nest fails for any particular reason, note this, eg. blown down during a rain storm or by strong winds. In the case where the eggs or young have been predated, note the predator species if known.
12. If a cuckoo parasitises the nest while under observation, ascertain its identity and note the egg laid. Use a NEW CARD to record details of the young cuckoo, especially the plumage colour and pattern as well as the tail pattern to facilitate identification. The voice of the young cuckoo at this stage is of little help. Please indicate the appropriate cross-reference on each new card.
13. If successive broods are reared by the same pair, use a new set of cards and state the appropriate cross-reference.
14. Attach supporting photos or drawings.
Send the cards or soft copy to MNS-BCC Records Committee, (c/o Yeap Chin Aik), JKR 641, Jln Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-22879422 Fax:03-22878773 Email: hod.conservation@mns.org.my