[texbirds] Re: Amazing November to remember for Texas Birds
- From: Eric Carpenter <ecarpe@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Fred Collins <Fred_Collins@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2014 11:42:46 -0600
Fred is correct that not all these records have been accepted by the
Texas Bird Records Committee (TBRC). In order for a sighting to be
accepted, there must first be observers willing and able to submit
details on what they saw/heard and perhaps photographed. For the
blitz of exciting birds found in the state in the last 10 days, I can
count the number of submissions voluntarily sent into me so far on one
hand. I realize folks have probably had a busy holiday week and are
perhaps still recovering but there is no time like the present to
recall/write down the details & experiences that certainly fade over
time. Assuming that documentation is a task for someone else since
"everybody saw that one" is a common thought but I think you can see
what might happen (and often does) if everyone thinks the same way.
For many of these species, a photo is worth a 1000 words but it is
sometimes the written word(s) submitted with those photos that tell
the story. With the recent Red-legged Honeycreeper, I have seen
photos that leave no doubt about the identity but there has been much
discussion about the provenance/origin question that folks like the
TBRC must render a judgement on. For those of you that saw the bird
at Estero Llano Grande SP the past few days, it would be quite useful
to have your words as some of you might have careful
considered/watched/noted the bird's behavior and feather wear, etc as
you perhaps tried to answer this question for yourself.
Many of you may be nervous about submitting reports because you are
not really sure what to submit. A good article on what rare bird
documentation is can be found at:
http://greglasley.com/document.html
Sample rare bird report forms can be round here:
http://texasbirds.org/tbrc/forms.htm
The TBRC does not require the form per-se but it gives you an idea of
the types of questions/details that are helpful for these kinds of
records.
Should you have any questions about this, feel free to send me a note
and I'll try to answer as best I can.
Reports, photos and recordings can all be sent to me at
<ecarpe@xxxxxxxxx>. I try to spend a fair amount of time digging
through eBird and the various (and numerous) online forums were these
sightings and photos are posted and discussed but don't always find
all the significant details that way. I would be thankful for each of
you who are able to take the time to send details to me rather than
hoping I happen upon them in my searching.
On behalf of the TBRC, your efforts to help document some of these
incredible rarities to make them more than just great memories is
truly appreciated!
--Eric
--
Eric Carpenter
Secretary, Texas Bird Records Committee (TBRC) (http://texasbirds.org/tbrc/)
ecarpe@xxxxxxxxx
On Mon, Dec 1, 2014 at 10:55 AM, Collins, Fred (Commissioner Pct. 3)
<Fred_Collins@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 2014 will likely go down as a record year for new birds added to the state
> list of Texas. Since 2009 only five new birds were added in those five years
> ignoring taxonomic splits.
> However, in 2014 we added Bar-tailed Godwit and then came November: Common
> Crane, Gray-crowned Rosy-finch, Red-legged Honeycreeper, and Pacific Wren.
> The year also produced second records for White-cheeked Pintail, Collared
> Plover and Slaty-backed Gull. November also produced the 7th record for
> American Dipper. And of course this was an eruption year like none previous
> for Brown Booby in Texas.
>
> Granted, these birds have not been accepted by the Texas Bird Record
> Committee but extraordinary sighting by any measure. All have been well
> documented with good photographs but questions will still be debated as to
> origin and recorded calls.
>
> With 30 days left and the "Patagonia Picnic Table" effect working in the
> Panhandle, Guadalupe Mountains, and the Valley who knows what may turn up as
> winter deepens. As an example of that effect, the Pacific Wren reported in
> McKittrick Canyon led to a second visitor who found American Dipper. A third
> birder in search of these two birds had a possible Black-Capped Chickadee.
> The chickadee would also be a second record and the first record in 130
> years! Certainly there is movement of birds from the Rocky Mountains. There
> is also movement from the Northeast because of early and excessive snows.
> E-Bird maps indicate a strong movement of Tree Sparrow in the NE and I wonder
> if that was the origin of Ron Weeks' bird at Sabine Woods.
>
> But too I wonder if all the new birds are simply a reflection of the growing
> ranks and increased sophistication of birders within the state. Perhaps the
> bar has been raised and perhaps the best is yet to come. Either way, this
> winter should be some of the best birding ever in Texas.
>
> Fred Collins, Director
> Kleb Woods Nature Center
> 20303 Draper Road,Tomball TX 77377
> 281-357-5324
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