This newsgroup is for the distribution of information regarding birding and birds in New Zealand. Its primary purpose is to enable birders to immediately broadcast rare/unusual bird sightings to other interested birders.

However, relevant information on birding, birding events, birding locations, and birds in New Zealand is also a function of the group. No commercial advertisements please. If posting advertisements for legitimate cost-sharing trips, please state this in the email.

As a bit of fun, a database of people and their NZ species totals has been created for all those twitchers and closet list holders to submit to. The list is currently available at

http://www.wrybill-tours.com/birderstotals.htm

PLEASE NOTE: All messages sent to this newsgroup containing bird sightings will be compiled by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand (OSNZ) and may be added to a bird database. If you do not wish your records to be added to this database then please state this in the email. Records of rare/unusual birds (as designated at http://www.osnz.org.nz/rarebirds.htm ) will still require acceptance by the OSNZ Rare Birds Committee before they are added to the database.

DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH SPAM, THIS NEWSGROUP HAS NOW BEEN MADE RESTRICTED MEMBERSHIP. UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR REQUEST TO JOIN I WILL ASK FOR CONFIRMATION AND AN EXPLANATION OF YOUR BIRDING INTERESTS (PLEASE DON'T BE OFFENDED). THIS PROCESS HAS STOPPED SPAM TO DATE. Thank you for your understanding.

Brent Stephenson
brent@wrybill-tours.com
BIRDING-NZ Moderator