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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Paul Longland" data-source="post: 3523974" data-attributes="member: 137696"><p>An age old dilemma.  I have no problem in counting such birds as Cettis, Tawny Owl, Water Rail etc as heard only for recording proposes (although I do mark these with a "H" in my notebooks.  However, in terms of life lists?  Currently do not count them.  Maybe I should rethink my fixation on visiblility as I would have at least 3 extras on my life list in the last couple of years.  Spent three hours at Lakenheath Fen listening to a little Bittern "barking" away without it ever showing itself.  Similarly a great Reed Warbler at Paxton Pits.  In both cases these were Known birds having been seen by others earlier on the same day with very distinctive song/calls.  Having put in the hours, would a brief sighting have actually been any more satisfying, or just a means to an end?  Yet in the past I have ticked birds on only the briefest and often poor and inconclusive views having already made an ID on vocalisation (Nottinghamshire Melodious warbler springs to mind.  Sang its head off for 2 hours but only visible for approx. 2 seconds in flight).  But as many have said, I suppose we make our own rules.  I made my bed and now I have to lie in it.  Still, Those birds may not be written down on my list, but at least I know they were there and so was I.  Makes me more determined to see one next time it turns up.</p></blockquote><p></p>