British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee: 34th Report (October 2006)

This report covers the period May–September 2006 and is the first to follow publication of the most recent checklist: The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition) that appeared in Ibis 148: 526–563. The 33rd Report appeared in Ibis 148: 594. The BOU website includes BOURC Reports, occasional papers, a continually updated version of the British List, press releases and lists of recent discussions and files in circulation. These items are all free to view and can be accessed via ‘The British List’ section of the BOU website –http://www.bou.org.uk. The List on the website is for information purposes only and is not an official document or part of the permanent record. Announcements of changes to the British List do not come into effect until published in Ibis. Work on this title continues and publication is scheduled for early 2008. The following changes have been made. First, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, 19 August 1969; sight record, photographed (British Birds 78: 546). This record replaces one Fair Isle, 28 May 1956 (trapped), hitherto accepted as the first. This record has been reviewed and rejected (see British Birds 98: 356–364). First, Woodbridge, Suffolk, November 1852; shot, the first of two birds mentioned by Ticehurst (1932, A History of the Birds of Suffolk). Seven 19th century records (eight individuals) were reviewed as part of the ongoing review of Category B species. Five of these were accepted: the record above, Durris, Aberdeenshire (1855), Slains, Aberdeenshire (1878), Forest of Birse, Aberdeenshire (1880), and Tresco, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall (1887). These are the only records of this species in Britain. A second record from Woodbridge, Suffolk (1852), one from the River Alde, Suffolk (1870), and one from Hill of Craigston, Aberdeenshire (1880), were rejected. Delete subspecies melanoptera from the List, the only record having been from Ireland. This decision is already incorporated into the 7th Checklist. The specimen from Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire, 1850 (Ibis 147: 246–250) is in Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow (GLAMG Z.1969.93.62). Delete from the List reference to subspecies syriacus/familiaris, the only relevant record having been from Ireland. This decision is already incorporated into the 7th Checklist. Delete subspecies swainsonii from the List, the only record having been from Ireland. This decision is already incorporated into the 7th Checklist. Add subspecies hortensis to Category A. Portland, Dorset, 20 September 1955; trapped (British Birds 49: 180). This record has been reviewed and DNA analysed from a retained feather. The description alone was not sufficient to identify the race, but the DNA was strongly indicative of nominate hortensis. This subspecies breeds in the western Mediterranean, from Portugal east to Italy, and in northwest Africa east to northwest Libya, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. First for Britain, female, Cambeckhill Woods, near Brampton, Cumbria, 1 November 1845 (MacPherson, 1892, Vert. Fauna Lakeland). This is the first specimen from an invasion, with subsequent reports of birds at several localities throughout Britain to April 1846 at least (Harrop, AHJ et al. in prep.). The earliest record of this species for Britain and Ireland had been in Antrim, 1802. Following separation of the British and Irish Lists, it was necessary to determine the first for Britain. L. l. bifasciata: breeds in the northern coniferous forests across the Old World, wintering largely within the northern forests, but sometimes occurring further south. A number of 19th century records of L. l. leucoptera (which breeds in North America) were reviewed, but none was found acceptable. The above changes do not affect the totals as published in the 33rd Report which remain: The following have also been considered. Adult male, Loch Tuamister, Lewis, Outer Hebrides, 13 May–16 June 2004. Identification was accepted, but the bird was considered to have been of captive origin and the species was assigned to Category E. Adult in full breeding plumage, Norfolk, 31 October 2004. Identification was accepted, but the bird was considered to have been of captive origin and the species was assigned to Category E. This individual was also reported from East Dean, Hampshire, 13 November 2004. The sole British record from Killingworth, Northumberland, collected on 5 October 1856, was reviewed following claimed clarification over the subspecific identification (British Birds 94: 393). With identification confirmed as nominate ruficollis and provenance accepted, the species was retained in Category B of the British List (Melling, TM in prep.). The specimen is in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (NEWHM 1999. H1071). Portbury, Avon, 27 May 2003. Identification was accepted, but the bird was considered to have been of captive origin and the species was assigned to Category E. Files from BBRC not yet received. Tarporley, Cheshire, 1 April 1908. Rejected by BOURC in 1971 (Ibis 113: 142–145). The current review has been prompted by the discovery of an Atlantic breeding population (Imber, M.J. 2004. Notornis 51: 33–40). At sea, 6 miles south of St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, 2 August 2004. Juvenile, Isles of Scilly, 22 October 1982–7 June 1983. Keyhaven Marshes, Hampshire, 22–26 July 2003. Whitby, North Yorkshire, March 1849. Previously considered the first for Britain, but now found to be associated with Graham of ‘Tadcaster rarity’ notoriety (Ibis 144: 181–184, 147: 246–250). This, and subsequent records, are under review to determine the valid first for Britain. Taxa are being reviewed to establish valid first records. Tissue samples from the sole British records of M. f. simillima, from Fair Isle, 1909 and 1912, have been made available for genetic analysis. Review of all records of subspecies borealis. First-winter male, Fair Isle, Shetland, 15–20 September 2004. With the adoption of new guidelines on ship assistance (Ibis 147: 246–250), four species on Category A are being reviewed to ensure consistency of treatment: Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos, Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum, Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus and Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus. Some errors unfortunately crept into the 7th Checklist. Clarification about further points will appear in the 35th Report. Author of jamaicensis should be: (J.F. Gmelin). Author of melanophris should be: (Temminck). Author of mauretanicus should be: Lowe. First record: year should be 1877. Author of curonicus should be: J.F. Gmelin. The three records of heinei were based on birds trapped for ringing, not recoveries. Author of aleutica should be: (Baird). Author of fuscata should be: (Linnaeus). Author of albifrons should be: (Pallas). Author of nilotica should be: (J.F. Gmelin). Author of caspia should be: (Pallas). Subspecies should be hybrida. Author of surinamensis should be: (J.F. Gmelin). Author of leucopterus should be: (Temminck). Author of arcticus should be: (C.L. Brehm). Author of livia should be: J.F. Gmelin. Status should be: NB. Author of persicus should be: Pallas. Author of yeltoniensis should be: (J.R. Forster). Author of flava should be: (J.F. Gmelin). Author of bicolor should be: (Vieillot). Author of daurica should be: (Linnaeus) Author of rufula should be: (Temminck). Author of pyrrhonota should be: (Vieillot). Note this is a BBRC description species. Author of leucorhoa should be: (J.F. Gmelin). British records to be treated as nominate borealis (Blasius). Author of albicilla should be: (Pallas). Author of caeruleus should be: (Linnaeus) Author of obscurus should be: (Prazák). Author of newtoni should be: Prazák. Author of cristatus should be: (Linnaeus) Author of mitratus should be: (C.L. Brehm). Author of ater should be: (Linnaeus) Author of britannicus should be: (Sharpe & Dresser). Author of montanus should be: (Conrad von Baldenstein) Author of kleinschmidti should be: (Hellmayr) Author of borealis should be: (Selys-Longchamps). Author of palustris should be: (Linnaeus) Author of dresseri should be: (Stejneger). Delete subspecies caledonicus Author of flavifrons should be: (Vieillot). Author of autochthona should be: (Clancey). Author of cabaret should be: (P.L.S. Müller). Delete subspecies leucoptera. Author of aestiva should be: J.F. Gmelin. Monotypic. Author should be: Cassin. Note spelling of scientific name Author should be: (Ménétries). Note scientific name and author. Note scientific name Author should be: (J.F. Gmelin). Author should be: (Bonaparte) Move entry to end of Appendix 1, to follow Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea. The recommended citation for the Checklist (7th edition) should read: British Ornithologists’ Union. 2006. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition). Ibis 148: 526–563. Compiled by S.P. Dudley, M. Gee, C. Kehoe, T.M. Melling and the BOURC. Bradshaw, C. 2005. Chairman's comments on ‘Taiga Flycatcher in East Yorkshire: new to Britain’. British Birds 98: 545–546. Bradshaw, C. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘Masked Shrike: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 70. Bradshaw, C. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘Rufous-tailed Robin on Fair Isle: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 240–241. Bradshaw, C. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘Short-billed Dowitcher: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 360. Bradshaw, C. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘White-throated Robin: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 364. Bradshaw, C. 2006. Chairman's comment on ‘Fea's Petrel off Scilly: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 400. Bradshaw, C. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘American Black Tern at Weston-super-Mare: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 458. Bradshaw, C. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘Time to get rid of the Moustache: a review of British records of Moustached Warbler’. British Birds 99: 478. British Ornithologists’ Union. 2006. The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition), Ibis 148: 526–563. Compiled by S.P. Dudley, M. Gee, C. Kehoe, T.M. Melling and the BOURC. Collinson, M. 2006. Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and Western Palearctic lists. British Birds 99: 306–323. Collinson, M., Parkin, D.T., Knox, A.G., Sangster G. & Helbig, A.J. 2006. Species limits within the genus Melanitta, the scoters. British Birds 99: 183–201. Lassey, P.A. 2005. Taiga Flycatcher in East Yorkshire: new to Britain. British Birds 98: 542–546. Melling, T. 2006. Time to get rid of the Moustache: a review of British records of Moustached Warbler. British Birds 99: 465–478. McGowan, R.Y. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘Short-billed Dowitcher: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 359–360. McGowan, R.Y. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘White-throated Robin: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 364. McGowan, R.Y. 2006. Chairman's comment on ‘Fea's Petrel off Scilly: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 400. McGowan, R.Y. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘American Black Tern at Weston-super-Mare: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 458–459. McGowan, R.Y. 2006. Comment on ‘Holboell's Red-necked Grebe’ in Wester Ross in 1925. British Birds 99: 481. Meek, E.R. 2005. Chairman's comments on ‘Taiga Flycatcher in East Yorkshire: new to Britain’. British Birds 98: 546. Meek, E.R. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘Masked Shrike: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 70. Meek, E.R. 2006. Chairman's comments on ‘Rufous-tailed Robin on Fair Isle: new to Britain’. British Birds 99: 241. Parkin, D.T., Collinson, M., Helbig, A.J., Knox, A.G. & Sangster, G. 2006. Developing guidelines to assist in defining species limits. Acta Zool. Sinica 52 (Suppl.): 435–438. A number of individuals assisted the Committee in its work during the course of the year and, with sincere apologies for any accidental omissions, the BOURC extends its gratitude to the following: Mark Adams, Ian Andrews, Joan Castany, Ian Dawson, Steve Dudley, Marcel Güntert, Lucy Hall, Ren Hathway, Steve Hewitt, Tony Irwin, Alan Knox, Martin Limbert, Nicola McNicholas, Amanda Martin, Eric Morton, Keith Naylor, Mike Pennington, Nick Riddiford, Peter Robinson, Mike Rogers, Richard Sutcliffe. Since the publication of the 32nd Report, Chris Kehoe and Richard Millington have been appointed as ordinary members replacing Bob McGowan (who took over as Chairman in April) and Grahame Walbridge. The following served on the BOURC during the period covered by this report or acted as consultant to the Committee: Bob McGowan (Chairman) Tim Melling (Secretary) Martin Collinson Andrew Harrop Chris Kehoe Andrew Lassey Ian Lewington Steve Votier Grahame Walbridge Richard Millington Colin Bradshaw (BBRC representative) Roger Wilkinson (captive bird/bird trade consultant)

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