FW: [CALBIRDS] CBRC review and request for documentation

The California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) will begin reviewing the following records in early June. If you have any documentation to submit for these records, please do so as soon as possible. Feel free to forward this request to local listservs as appropriate. Thank you.

Thomas A. Benson

Secretary, California Bird Records Committee

Broad-billed Hummingbird           2017-166              15 Dec 2017                                        Bay Park SD                                                        (single observer, documentation complete)

Broad-billed Hummingbird           2017-172              16 Dec 2017-6 Mar 2018                Goleta SBA                                                          (documentation from 5 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Broad-billed Hummingbird           2018-025              27 Feb 2018                                        Mission Valley SD                                             (single observer, documentation complete)

Broad-billed Hummingbird           2018-028              9-19 Mar 2018                                   San Francisco SF                                               (documentation from 6 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Tricolored Heron                              2017-111              13 Oct 2017-17 Apr 2018               San Diego R. & Famosa Slough SD                (documentation from 8 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Tricolored Heron                              2017-136              1 Oct 2017-28 Apr 2018                 San Diego Bay SD                                             (documentation from 3 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Greater Pewee                                 2017-114              12-29 Oct 2017                                  Pacific Palisades LA                                          (documentation from 5 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Greater Pewee                                 2017-151              5 Dec 2017-16 Apr 2018                 Balboa Park SD                                                  (documentation from 7 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Dusky-capped Flycatcher              2017-145              29 Nov-1 Dec 2017                           Crab Park HUM                                                 (documentation from 3 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Dusky-capped Flycatcher              2017-146              1 Dec 2017-3 Apr 2018                   Ladera Park LA                                                   (documentation from 1 observer, add’l doc. requested)

Dusky-capped Flycatcher              2017-157              15 Dec 2017-12 Jan 2018               Berry Park SD                                                     (documentation from 3 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Dusky-capped Flycatcher              2017-163              16 Dec 2017-12 Jan 2018               CSU Channel Islands VEN                              (documentation from 1 observer, add’l doc. requested)

Dusky-capped Flycatcher              2017-164              16 Dec 2017-16 Mar 2018             Runnymede Rec. Center LA                         (documentation from 1 observer, add’l doc. requested)

Thick-billed Kingbird                       2017-120              23 Oct 2017-8 Apr 2018                 Poggi Canyon SD                                               (documentation from 3 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Curve-billed Thrasher                     2017-137              22-24 Nov 2017                                 Senator Wash Reservoir IMP                       (single observer, documentation complete)

White Wagtail                                    2017-167              21 Dec 2017-30 Jan 2018               Prado Reg. Park SBE                                        (documentation from 5 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Common Redpoll                             2018-005              8-13 Jan 2018                                     Aspendell INY                                                    (documentation from 7 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Rusty Blackbird                                  2017-153              10 Dec 2017-8 Apr 2018                 Almansor Park LA                                             (documentation from 4 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Rusty Blackbird                                  2017-161              17 Dec 2017-20 Jan 2018               Trancas Canyon LA                                           (documentation from 1 observer, add’l doc. requested)

Rusty Blackbird                                  2017-162              17-19 Dec 2017                                 Mammoth MNO                                               (documentation from 2 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Rusty Blackbird                                  2018-006              10 Jan 2018                                         Bette Davis Picnic Area LA                            (single observer, documentation complete)

Rusty Blackbird                                  2018-007              13 Jan-18 Feb 2018                          Moonglow Dairy MTY                                     (documentation from 3 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Rusty Blackbird                                  2018-020              8 Feb-8 Apr 2018                              Waller Park SBA                                                (documentation from 7 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Worm-eating Warbler                    2018-003              6 Jan-17 Feb 2018                             Reichmuth Park SAC                                       (documentation from 6 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Cape May Warbler                           2018-017              3 Feb 2018                                           Blythe RIV                                                           (single observer, documentation complete)

Grace’s Warbler                                2018-019              5 Feb-1 Apr 2018                              Del Mar SD                                                          (documentation from 6 observers, add’l doc. requested)

Grace’s Warbler                                2018-030              7-8 Apr 2018                                       Claremont LA                                                     (documentation from 2 observers, add’l doc. requested)

What kind of documentation should one submit to the CBRC? Following are some guidelines for submitting media and written descriptions that will be useful for helping the CBRC evaluate records and archive documentation. Documentation may be submitted directly to the secretary via email (secretary@…) , or by using the online submission form (http://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html).

Media: This includes photos, audio recordings, and video. Photographs are usually the most useful documentation for evaluating records. If you have reasonably good (=identifiable) photos, please submit them. If possible, please crop the photos before submission so that the bird fills most of the frame. Also, please send originals whenever possible, and not screenshots or back-of-camera photos. How many photos should you submit? That really depends on the record. If it is a long-staying rarity that is easily identifiable and seen by dozens of people, then a few photos (1-3 per person) are sufficient. If it is a mega-rarity that is difficult to identify and only seen by a one or few people, then send as many photos as possible that show the bird at different angles, postures, lighting, etc. Sometimes it is also useful to submit audio and/or video recordings of the bird, as some birds are more easily identified by their vocalizations. If relatively short, most audio recordings are small enough to be submitted via email; please submit those along with a brief note indicating the date and location of the recording. Large audio files and video files can be submitted by using a file sharing service; please contact the secretary if you need to submit a file that is too large for email.

Written descriptions: Some written details should always be provided – even the best photos should be accompanied by the name of the observer, the date, and the location, at a minimum. Sometimes a photo can’t be obtained or vocalizations can’t be recorded. In some cases, behaviors might be noted in the field that aren’t preserved well by photos. In these cases, it is helpful to submit a written description of the bird. Ideally, this description should be written as soon after observing the bird as possible; it is often helpful to make written notes in the field, or even dictate notes into the voice recorder on your smartphone while observing the bird, from which you can later generate a written description. The most important aspect of a written description is that you report only what you observed, and not a general description of the bird from a field guide. At a minimum, your description should include the date and location of the observation, and a description of the bird (size and structure, plumage, vocalizations, behavior). A brief discussion of how the bird was identified, and how similar species were eliminated is also helpful. Other useful information you might report includes optics used, distance from bird, lighting or weather conditions, length of time viewed, and other observers present.

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