OBRC decisions about rare bird reports are published as an annual report in the August issue of Ontario Birds. Anyone, not just the finder, can and should send in reports. Often they complement one another and make the documentation stronger.
It is important for the committee to review these observations for the official provincial record. We need your documentation including photographs, a sketch, or videos if available.
Reporting a Rare Bird
You can submit a report in two ways:
- Using a Google account, which lets you upload media directly to the form
- Not using a Google account, where media must be submitted separately
NOTE: Documentation is reviewed only for species on the South, Central or Lowlands Review Lists, subspecies on the Subspecies Review List, and for species and subspecies which would be a new addition to the corresponding Review Zone.
Thank you for reporting a rare bird to the OBRC.
For more information about how to fill out these Rare Bird Report Forms, go to Guidelines for Reporting.
The Committee Makeup
The Committee is composed of a panel of experts and has a rotating membership. The Committee members are:
Ontario Birds Records Committee (OBRC)
- Voting Members: Gerard Phillips (chair), Cameron Chevalier, Bruce Di Labio, Kiah Jasper, Sarah Lamond, Jon Ruddy, David Szmyr
- Non-voting Members:
- Secretary: Michelle Martin
- Assts. to the Secretary: Ezra Campanelli
- Archivist: Mike Burrell
- ROM Liaison: vacant
Contact the Ontario Bird Records Committee at obrc@ofo.ca
OBRC Review Zones
Ontario is divided into Lowlands, Central and South regions (see map above or click to view it on a new page); thus, the cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay are in the South region of the province.