Nov 17, 2007
To: Oregon and Washington Christmas Count observers and compilers
The following is a set of evaluation standards for your guidance in determining whether certain species require written description to be accepted on CBCs in the region. Suggestions for changes are welcome. Included also is a question and answer section that may help answer common questions about CBC rarities and the editing process.
Q: What exactly is "regular unusual" bird?
A: Any species that is out place for the season or the
location, but not unusual under other circumstances can be classified as
regular, but unusual. Many of these species can be confused with more likely
species. Some may be misidentifications by observers unfamiliar with the
seasonal variations in occurence. In all cases, documentation provides
a kind of quality control that makes more sense in hindsight. CBC researchers
30 years from now will be able to evaluate our contributions more reliably
if we provide proper details today. To help observers and compilers, a
list of birds is provided below that includes birds
that regularly occur during spring or fall migration or breed in our region,
but are supposed to leave before December and therefore require details
.
Q: Gee, Magnificent Frigatebird is not on your list
for details. Does that mean no details are required?
A: Birds considered rare any time of year also require
details. These would include ICELAND GULL, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER to name a few that have already popped up this
season. Please do not assume that, just because they've been around for
awhile, the same bird was reported last year or "everyone knows about them"
that they don't need details. If you are in doubt, please feel free to
ask.
Q: Are there any "regular"unusual birds for which
we don't have to write a description?
A: When the compiler enters a species into the NAS database
he/she has the option of checking the box indicating that the species is
"unusual". The system will AUTOMATICALLY flag this entry as possibly
needing further details. But many locally unusual species are not
regionally unusual and therefore DO NOT require details.
These species are considered sufficiently
regular and/or easy to identify that descriptions are no longer required
for acceptance anywhere in the region: Green Heron, Eared Grebe, White
Pelican, American Bittern, Eurasian Wigeon, Wild Turkey, Barred Owl, Scrub
Jay, Townsend's Solitaire, Orange-crowned Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, Harris'
Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow. Local compilers may still ask for details
if they wish, but the regional editor will not. See the following list
for more detailed guidelines.
Q: How are reports of rarities evaluated?
A: If the report is accompanied by a clear photograph,
I accept it and it does not undergo further review. Examples of these include
the Bullock's Oriole in 1995 and the Skylark in 1998. If the report is
in writing it may be sent to selected regional experts for their opinions.
The National Audubon Society has greatly shortened their editorial window
making review by committee for all rarities nearly impossible. This
leaves the regional editor (me) the lonely task of deciding whether the
record should be included. In most cases, I will include a record
with an editorial comment regarding the quality (or lack thereof) of the
details. It should be noted that I try very hard to evaluate
all written details using the same criteria, independent of who submitted
them.
Q: How were the review standards developed?
A: Alan Contreras prepared them after examining several
years of counts and consulting with experts from both states, I have made
some very minor changes. The standards are reviewed periodically.
Q: As a compiler, can I ask for details on a species
even if the compiler does not require them?
A: Absolutely! As compiler, you have the right
and the even the obligation to secure adequate documentation for all species
reported from your count. The regional editor has his requirements,
but compilers are encouraged to go above and beyond those expections when
deemed appropriate.
Q: Are there any species that always get rejected
if there are no details?
A: In theory, any species for which a description is
required but not provided may be summarily rejected by the regional editor.
In practice the editor may choose to mark a record "no details" but allow
it to be published. I will always reject House Wren, Swainson's Thrush,
Swainson's Hawk, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler and other "summer" warblers
if submitted without details. Please do not assume these species will never
be accepted, however. If you believe you saw one of these species,
write thorough details and get a photograph if you can. When possible,
rejected records will be downgraded rather than expunged (eg. Swainson's
Thrush to Catharus sp.; Yellow Warbler to warbler sp.). I
am also inclined to reject Northwestern Crow (since there are no agreed
upon fieldmarks for identification), but the convention in Washington has
been to count them as crow sp. I will continue to do this for Washington
records.
Q: What are the most common mistakes people make
when they write up an unusual bird?
A: Some people list their qualifications, and experience
with the species, but no description. Some people describe the habitat
and viewing conditions, but not the bird. Some people say it looks just
like the picture in the book, but include no actual description.
Some explain why it cannot be a similar species without actually describing
the bird they saw. Others fail to say why the bird was not something more
common and yet fail to adequately describe the bird so reviewers can eliminate
similar species. For example, they fail to distinguish a House Wren from
Winter Wren or Marsh Wren. Still others send notes explaining why details
shouldn't be necessary. Please understand (and help others understand)
that requiring details is not meant to impugn anyone's ability or competence.
Details are about quality assurace. Even the Regional Editor has
to write details. Count Compilers can help by sitting down with
those who are uncomfortable about writing details and write them together.
A more detailed discussion about writing details can be found at:
http://home.pacifier.com/~mpatters/details/details.html
Species Are details required?
Any species that would be considered rare or unusual any time of year requires details for a CBC. Yellow-billed Loon Yes, if away from coastal Washington. Other loons Compiler's descretion if east of the Cascades away from the Columbia River Red-necked Grebe Yes, if away from usual wintering areas Eared Grebe No Clark's Grebe Yes, except on coast, and expected inland concentrations. Sooty Shearwater Yes, to distinguish from more regular Short-tailed Short-tailed Shearwater Preferred American White Pelican No Brown Pelican No, if on coast American Bittern No Green Heron No Snowy Egret Yes, except on Oregon coast from Lane Co. southward, where it is regular in small numbers. Trumpeter Swan Yes, if reported south of Lane Co. in western Oregon or at a location where it is unusual. Compilers need to keep regional editor informed of changing winter status in this species. Emperor Goose Yes Blue-winged Teal Males accepted without review if stated as such, females need description. Females accompanying males may be treated as the same species. Cinnamon Teal Males accepted if stated as such, females need description. Females accompanying males may be treated as the same species. Eurasian Wigeon No. Greater Scaup Not on coast or along major waterways, but exercise care in reporting uncertain birds away from coast. Long-tailed Duck Not on coast, needed elsewhere. Red-breasted Merganser Yes, if east of the Cascades. Barrow's Goldeneye No, except in lowland southwestern Oregon. Turkey Vulture No Osprey Not needed west of Cascades, needed on east side. Becoming more regular in winter west of Cascades. White-tailed Kite Not needed if west of the Cascades in Oregon. Needed in Washington if away from Willapa Bay or Gray's Harbor. Needed in eastern Oregon. Advise regional editor of changing status. Northern Goshawk No, except on the coast. Red-shouldered Hawk Details still expected east of Cascades. Swainson's Hawk Yes. Unlikely to be accepted without photographs. Ferruginous Hawk Not needed east of Cascades, needed west of Cascades. Some birds winter most years locally in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Golden Eagle All coastal counts should provide description to distinguish from imm. Bald Eagle, which is more common in these areas. Prairie Falcon No Gyrfalcon Yes, on any Oregon count except Columbia Estuary and in western Washington counts where not usual. Wild Turkey Absolutely NOT Sora Not needed in Rogue River counties or on the Oregon coast; elsewhere counts should indicate how identified. golden-plovers Yes, needed for all species. Not sufficiently regular or simple to identify under poor conditions. Lesser Yellowlegs Yes, photos preferred. Willet Yes except on coast. Wandering Tattler Yes. Whimbrel Yes except on coast. Long-billed Curlew Yes to distinguish from Whimbrel. Not needed from Willapa Bay or Gray's Harbor, where regular. Ruddy Turnstone None needed on coast. Western Sandpiper No. Exercise care in identifying this species at inland locations. Rare in western Oregon, very rare east of the Cascades Short-billed Dowitcher Yes. Unlikely to accept without voice differentiation. Red-necked Phalarope Yes. Extremely rare in winter. Red Phalarope Preferred if away from the coast except during major wrecks. Heermann's Gull No on coast. Western Gull Yes if away from coast and major interior gull sites. Glaucous Gull Not needed in Washington or in coastal and northwestern interior Oregon, needed elsewhere in Oregon. Black-legged Kittiwake Not if on coast, needed inland Tufted Puffin Yes, with emphasis on elimination of Rhino Auklet Band-tailed Pigeon Not if west of the Cascades Snowy Owl No, owing to ease of identification. Burrowing Owl Not needed if in western Oregon Barred Owl No Rufous Hummingbird Report as selasphorus, sp. unless description excludes Allen's, i.e. an obvious male Rufous. Black Phoebe Not needed in western Oregon. Compilers are asked to advise on local status as range is expanding northward west of the Cascades. Say's Phoebe Not needed east of the Cascades or from Douglas County south in w. Oregon. A few winter in most years. Tree Swallow Not needed west of the Cascades; needed elsewhere. Violet-green Swallow Enough description to distinguish from much more likely Tree Swallow. Barn Swallow No Scrub Jay No. Northwestern Crow All Northwestern Crows from Washington will be reported as crow sp. Northwestern Crow is not acceptable in Oregon. House Wren Yes. This species will not be accepted without thorough details eliminate first-winter Marsh Wren and Winter Wren. Townsend's Solitaire No. Swainson's Thrush Yes, unlikely to accept without photographs. No confirmed winter records from the region. Northern Mockingbird Not needed in southwestern Oregon, preferred elsewhere. Sage Thrasher Not if east of Cascades. Bohemian Waxwing Not if east of Cascades or from Puget Sound north of Seattle. Yes elsewhere. Loggerhead Shrike Not if east of Cascades or in Rogue Valley, yes elsewhere. Orange-crowned W. No. Nashville Warbler Yes Yellow Warbler Yes Black-throated Gray W. Yes Hermit Warbler Yes Palm Warbler No (though preferred inland). MacGillivray's Warbler Yes Common Yellowthroat Yes, except in western Oregon. Wilson's Warbler Yes Chipping Sparrow Yes, except in the Willamette and Rogue Valleys. Clay-colored Sparrow Yes. Vesper Sparrow Preferred. Sage Sparrow Not needed from Great Basin counts; needed elsewhere. Can be regular in some mild winter years. Savannah Sparrow No. Swamp Sparrow Not if west of the Cascades; needed on the east side. White-throated Sparrow No. Golden-crowned Sp. No, except in counties bordering Idaho. Harris' Sparrow No. Lapland Longspur Not if on coast or in Klamath County, Oregon. Preferred elsewhere. Snow Bunting No. any oriole Yes. Western Tanager Preferred. Black-headed Grosbeak Yes, away from the south Oregon Coast Rose-breasted Grosbeak Yes Knowledge of this species is poor and changing rapidly. Yellow-headed Blackbird Not if within breeding range. Cassin's Finch Not if within breeding range or adjacent lowlands. Required west of the Cascades. Status in southwestern Oregon not clear. Pine Grosbeak Yes, west of Cascades, except in irruption years. White-winged Crossbill Yes, if away from the eastern mountains. Common Redpoll Yes, west of Cascades, except in irruption years.