1. Begin your field work at dawn or as soon thereafter as possible; try to count until dark; the hours between dawn (about 6:30 A.M.) and noon are the most productive hours of the day. Owling is encouraged; keep a record of hours spent and miles driven while owling and report them separately from daylight field work.

2. Keep (or have a party member keep) a list of ALL birds seen and heard in your territory; keep separate lists if you cover more than one territory or if you split up into two parties part of the day; use the "Check-list of Putnam County, Tennessee, Birds" to submit and possibly to record data.

3. Record your party's miles and hours afield as accurately as possible; keep separate hours and miles for different territories or for times when your party splits up.

4. Accept only records about which you are certain; WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT (tactfully).

5. Obtain details in WRITING for all rare species (see check-list for species needing documentation) and all species not on the check-list; use the "supporting details" sheet for reporting details.

6. Write down each participant's name as he/she wishes it to appear at the National Audubon Society CBC website.

7. Ask all party members to pay the participant’s fee ($5) to the compiler or to you if unable to attend the compilation.

8. Try to get out into your territory at least once before the count to scout out roads and look for unusual species.

9. Have a good time on the CBC and at the compilation dinner.

1. Give your name--as you wish it to appear at the  National Audubon Society CBC website--and address to your party leader.

2. Submit no birds to your party leader unless you are 100% certain of their identity.

3. Give the compiler the participant’s fee ($5) at the compilation dinner; give it to your party leader if you cannot attend the dinner.

4. Help your party leader by driving, keeping numbers of birds, etc., whatever he/she needs.

5. Enjoy the CBC and compilation dinner.

1. Count only birds on your own property or within 0.1 mi thereof. If your property is large, you might want to consider paying the participant’s fee.  Note: you are NOT restricted to counting just the birds at your feeders but may count any bird in or over your yard.

2. Be conservative in counting (i.e., for each species count only the highest number of birds seen at one time--or the highest number of males plus the highest number of females for dimorphic species like cardinal).

3. Keep careful account of your exact number of hours counting.

4. Submit your data at the compilation dinner or have someone else do it for you if at all possible.

5. Enjoy your time counting birds, knowing that you are also advancing the cause of bird conservation.