[reccom] Review List changes and checklist project

[Rick Fridell]

Hey Guys,
I thought we set up criteria (i.e. certain number of accepted sightings
within a defined timeframe) to determine if a species belongs on the list?
Am I remembering this correctly?  Obviously we've made exceptions for
species such as Anna's Hummingbirds and Eurasian Collared-Doves, that
rapidly expand (and become relatively common so quickly that records are no
longer submitted).
If we haven't established a process, I think we ought to set up some
specific criteria on number of records within a time span, for a species to
be eligible for 'non-review' status.

Without criteria, the process seems fairly arbitrary to me.
Although I'm certain whoever submitted the species below has some valid
reasons for doing so, it's unclear to me why some species are proposed for
removal (and others for addition). Granted, I don't get outside of the
southwestern Utah counties very often, but over the last five years, I've
recorded the following number of incidents / individuals for these species
(and similar trends hold for these species, when I looked at the number of
documented sightings in the NAB database for the Great Basin over that
timeframe).

Broad-winged Hawk = 2 / 2
Ruddy Turnstone = 0
Least Tern = 4 / 4
Northern Parula = 2 / 2
Black Swift = 6 / 37
Brown Thrasher = 2 / 2

I guess my point is that we all have different perceptions on what is a rare
vagrant or not, and it seems easier to use an approach based specifically on
the number of documented occurrences (records submitted to the committee).
Ultimately, I suppose it depends on the objectives of the committee in
reviewing records (i.e. reviewing occurrences of 'ultra-rarities' vs.
tracking patterns of vagrancy of 'rare' species in the state). The former is
certainly fun and is the most interesting from a birding perspective, but
accumulating records of the more regular vagrants probably holds higher
scientific value.

Anyway, there's a few things to think about (or completely ignore, if you
please) as we start into the process of modifying the list of review
species.

Regards,
Rick


-----Original Message-----
From: reccom-bounces at utahbirds.org
[mailto:reccom-bounces at utahbirds.org]On Behalf Of Ron Ryel
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:00 AM
To: Utah Bird Records Committee
Subject: Re: [reccom] Review List changes and checklist project


Milt, It would be nice to get some input on why a species is proposed for
addition or deletion from the list.
Best wishes, Ron

On 23 Jan 2007 at 7:28, Milt Moody wrote:

> Review Page:
> http://www.utahbirds.org/ReviewBirds/UnderReview.htm
>
> Greetings,
>
> Here are the suggestions for review list changes that have been
> received so far:
>
> To be removed:
>   Broad-winged Hawk
>   Ruddy Turnstone
>   Least Tern
>   Northern Parula
>
> To be added:
>   Black Swift
>   Brown Thrasher
>
> If you have other suggestions, please send them in.  We will be
> discussing these proposed changes and voting on them within the next
> week or two.
>
> Two committee members (Rick and Kris) have offered to help with the
> checklist so far.  If anyone else would like to help with updating the
> status and abundance codes, please let me know soon.
>
> I will be going over the records to see which review species were
> accepted without physical evidence.  A link to the preliminary list
> that I made (very quickly) when we were discussing the matter last
> year is provided below.  If anyone knows of other species that should
> be listed (in the top section) or those that are on the list that
> actually have physical evidence that you know of, please let me know.
>
> http://www.utahbirds.org/RecCom/AuxiliaryList.htm
>
> Thanks,
> Milt
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
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--

Dr. Ronald J. Ryel
Assistant Professor
Department of Wildland Resources
Utah State University
5230 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT  84322-5230
USA

ron.ryel at usu.edu
range at cc.usu.edu
435-797-8119
435-797-3796 (fax)



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