Sightings help & FAQs
Section 1: Viewing the 'Recent sightings' noticeboard
Section 2: Using the 'Submit sightings' form
Section 3: Browsing the Gallery
Section 4: Sightings FAQs
Viewing the Recent sightings noticeboard
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Records are displayed in chronological order of observation (most recent records first). Use the arrows in the column headings (top of noticeboard) to modify the sort order. |
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Where displayed to the left of a record, click [+] symbol to view further details of the sighting provided by the observer. |
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Where displayed to the right of a record, click camera symbol to view the image. Click on X in the top right corner of the expanded image to close and return to the noticeboard. |
If one of your records is not displayed in the noticeboard, it is because either:
- It is of a rare or scarce breeding species during the nesting season; or
- It is in a sensitive location, for example a private residence or land with no public access; or
- 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. For more See FAQs 'What are ‘sensitive records?'
Using the Submit sightings form
| Name | Enter your name as you wish it to appear in the public noticeboard.
If you choose not to display your name in the noticeboard (see below), we would still like a note of your name for our confidential records. If you wish to remain completely anonymous, please simply enter 'Anonymous'. |
| Email address | A valid email address is important 1) in case we need to contact you and 2) to ensure you are a real person (not a 'bot'). This helps us to remove 'fake' sightings. |
| [ ] Do not display my name on noticeboard | If you leave the box unchecked, your name will be displayed in the public noticeboard alongside your sighting (and as the copyright acknowledgement for any image you might have submitted).
If you check (tick) the box, your name will appear as 'Undisclosed' in the public noticeboard alongside your sighting (and as the copyright acknowledgement for any image you might have submitted), and Manx BirdLife will record your name confidentially on its database. |
| Date | Enter the date of your sighting (not the date of submitting) either by overwriting the default (current date) or clicking on the Calendar icon to select. |
| Time | Enter the approximate time of your sighting in 24hr format, either by overwriting the default (00:00) or clicking on the up-down arrows as required. Or simply leave at the default setting. |
| Location | Start keying the location name. After three or more characters are entered, a filtered list appears. Continue typing more characters to narrow the options available or select the required location when you see it.
If your location does not appear in the dropdown list, type 'unli' and select 'Unlisted'. Please provide a six-figure grid reference, then describe the location in the 'Details' field. |
| Grid ref | On selecting a 'known' location from the dropdown list, a grid reference will automatically appear. If your location is not listed, please provide a six-figure grid reference. |
| Species | Start keying the species name. After three or more characters are entered, a filtered list appears. Continue typing more characters to narrow the options available or select the required species when you see it.
If the species name does not appear in the list, type 'unli' and select 'Unlisted'. Then state the species name in the 'Details' field. |
| No. [=] | Leave as “=” if the number you are reporting is an accurate count. Or select “c.” from the dropdown box to indicate an approximate number. Or select “+” from the dropdown box to indicate at least this number. |
| Details | Use this field to record any behavioural observations or to offer any appropriate guidance on viewing this species or visiting the locality. You can use abbreviations such as:
You can also use this box to state a location that is not listed in the dropdown list and/or likewise to enter the name of a species you have observed which is not listed. |
| Drop file | Click within the dashed box to browse to your file folders to select an image to be uploaded. Or drag and drop the image file from another window onto the dashed box. JPG and JPEG image files of 2MB or less are accepted. |
| [ ] Do not display record on noticeboard | If you leave the box unchecked, your record for that species will be displayed in the public noticeboard.
If you check (tick) the box, your record for that species will not be displayed in the public noticeboard, and will be recorded by Manx BirdLife confidentially on its database. |
| + Add species | Click on this blue button to record another species at this same location and date. You can add as many species as you wish for each location. |
| + Next sighting | Click on this blue button to start another sighting, i.e. to start entering species recorded at another location or on another date/time. |
| Submit my records | Click on this green button to submit your all records.
If the green button is inactive (i.e. clicking on it does not submit your records), please check:
Where all mandatory fields are completed and there are no errors, the 'Submit my records' button will be activated. |
Browsing the Gallery
We ask you to respect the rights of the photographers who have contributed their images.
No rights to copy, replicate, transmit nor to use these images in any way is implied. All rights remain with the photographers. If you would like to use an image, please email enquiries | at | manxbirdlife.im outlining your request and we shall endeavour to put you the photographer in touch with you.
Gallery images are shown in chronological order of submission, with the most recently submitted image first.
Click on a thumbnail to view the expanded image. Click on X in the top right corner of the expanded image to close and return to the Gallery.
Sightings FAQs
What is a sighting?
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.
How many sightings and species can I report?
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.
I cannot find the species I am reporting in the 'Species' list
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.
I cannot find the location I am reporting in the 'Location' list
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.
What do I do if I know the grid reference but not the location name?
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.
What if I have more than five sightings to report?
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.
What are ‘sensitive records’?
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.
One of my records is not displayed in the noticeboard
If one of your records is not displayed in the noticeboard, it is because either:
- It is of a rare or scarce breeding species during that species' nesting season; or
- It is in a sensitive location, for example a private residence or land with no public access; or
- 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
- 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.
What if I have any questions?
If you have questions, please call 01624 861130 or email enquiries | at | manxbirdlife.im. Thank you.
