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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Andy Adcock" data-source="post: 3523933" data-attributes="member: 31710">In my reports I indicate HO's but that doesn't mean I count them on my life list, I don't, it's simply a record. People indicate HO for various reasons, often surveys do it as the only time effective way to monitor species.As mentioned above, bird mimicry is an issue, I chased African Emerald Cuckoo, which I still haven't seen, all over in South Africa only to find Chorister Robin Chat at the end of every chase. If it wasn't for the fact that I need the Cuckoo and so chased it, there would be several HO's for the species on my report which would be wrong and create a false impression of the abundance of that species.Several World listers include HO's, it's up to them, it's nowhere near as pleasurable or challenging as tracking down a bird and then seeing it but for listing purposes, it has to be a level playing field. I don't think HO's should count if you intend to be competitive, what you do with your list privately is up to you.  I've been within 3 feet of Blue-naped Pitta which was responding to tape but haven't ticked it as we didn't see it and that one hurt!A</blockquote>