How are reports of rarities evaluated?
If the report is accompanied by a clear photograph, I accept it and it does not undergo further review. Examples of these include the Bullock’s Oriole in 1995 and the Skylark in 1998. If the report is in writing it may be sent to selected regional experts for their opinions. The National Audubon Society has greatly shortened their editorial window making review by committee for all rarities nearly impossible. This leaves the regional editor (me) the lonely task of deciding whether the record should be included. In most cases, I will include a record with an editorial comment regarding the quality (or lack thereof) of the details. It should be noted that I try very hard to evaluate all written details using the same criteria, independent of who submitted them.
