Each ‘sighting’ comprises one or more records of species you have seen at one location on the same date.

When you move to another location on the same date, or visit the same or a different location on another date, set this up as a new sighting.

You may create up to five different sightings on the one form. Within each sighting, you may record any number of species.

After submitting up to five sightings (of as many species as you wish), the form will refresh and you can continue to submit further sightings and species.

If one of the species you wish to report is not listed in the dropdown list of species, please select ‘Unlisted’ in the ‘Species’ list then enter the species name into the ‘Details’ box along with any supporting or explanatory comments.

If the location for a sighting is not listed in the dropdown list of locations, please select ‘Unlisted’ in the ‘Location’ list and then enter the location name/description into the ‘Details’ box along with a six-figure grid reference if you know it.

More often than not you will know the location of your sightings (even if this is approximate). You can select this by name by typing in the few first letters and choosing from the location dropdown list that appears. The nearest grid reference is then automatically displayed for that location by the system.

However, not every six-figure grid reference on the Island (there are thousands!) has been given a location name. Hence, if you know or prefer to use a six-figure grid reference, select ‘Unlisted’ in the ‘Location’ list and enter the grid reference.

If you wish to report more than five sightings (i.e. records from more than five locations and/or on more than five dates), simply enter your first five sightings (and the species recorded for each) in the form and click on ‘Submit’. An acknowledgement message will be displayed and a new blank form will then be available on the refreshed page. You can then enter five more sightings on this refreshed form – and repeat the process as many times as you wish.

Typically, these are records of rare or scarce breeding species during the nesting season.

Behind the scenes there are some simple programming ‘rules’ that prevent records of certain species from being published if that record falls within the breeding period for that species (e.g. April to July). Such records are confidentially recorded on the Manx BirdLife database without being made public on the noticeboard. These are valuable records for conservation purposes and we encourage you to submit these.

Also, a rare or scarce bird of popular interest might be reported in a location that is unsuitable for public viewing (e.g. a private residence). Accordingly, these records are removed from the noticeboard. However, we shall do all we can to ensure news of exciting birds is published whenever possible.

If one of your records is not displayed in the noticeboard, it is because either:

1. It is of a rare or scarce breeding species during that species’ nesting season; or
2. It is in a sensitive location, for example a private residence or land with no public access; or
3. The record has been flagged for Administrator review. If we have any queries, we’ll contact you; otherwise your record shall be published as soon as possible; or
4. On submitting your record, you have ticked the ‘Do not display record on noticeboard’ checkbox.

If you wish to enquire about one of your submitted records, please email enquiries | at | manxbirdlife.im.

If you have questions, please call 01624 861130 or email enquiries@manxbirdlife.im. Thank you.

The bird reports and associated personal data you send us shall be stored on Manx BirdLife’s bird records database.

Such bird reports, including the name of the observer(s) but excluding other personal data, might be shared with the Manx Bird Records Committee, a working sub-committee of the Manx Ornithological Society (MOS), the Manx Biological Recording Partnership (MBRP), and the British Bird Rarities Committee (BBRC). Reports are published in compiled or individual form in the annual Manx Bird Report featured in the journal Peregrine.

Bird reports, excluding the name of the observer(s) and other personal data, might also be shared with our ornithological partners and relevant third parties for conservation, scientific and advisory purposes. For example, we might share reports with organisations in the Isle of Man or UK such as the Rare Birds Breeding panel (RBBP) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Reports might be shared with government, authorities, corporations and individuals in response to planning applications and to assist with upholding wildlife laws.

Can we ask for your support? [Opt-in box]
If you do not tick the box that accompanies the reports (sightings) forms, then we shall use your contact details only for purposes relating to your bird reports or for which we have a legitimate interest. If you do tick the box, then we shall be pleased occasionally to contact you (using the contact details you have provided in the form) about our other conservation work and related activities.