Spring 2019

SPRING 2019 – INTERIM PACKET

Explanation

The WBRC normally meets annually in October, but often also circulates an ‘interim’ packet half way between meetings. This allows the committee to process a number of reports where it is relatively easy to reach consensus without discussion. Because the committee does not meet in person to discuss these reports, a greater level of voting consensus is required to ‘accept’ or ‘not accept’ a report. Many reports will be carried over until the October meeting for final deliberations.

  • 13 received seven yes votes, and are thus passed w/o need for further discussion.
  • Several more received seven yes votes, but other issues remained outstanding and final outcomes will be deferred for further discussion in the fall (see notes, below).
  • 3 received four or more ‘no’ votes, and are thus not accepted.
  • 9 reports were deferred for more consideration at the fall meeting.
  • 1 new species was added to the state list: Red-footed Booby

In addition, the Clallam Co. Phainopepla was the first record if this species documented with photos, moving it out of the ‘sight only’ category.

This brings the official Washington State Checklist to 516 species, including 502 species fully accredited (supported by specimen, photograph, or recording) and 14 species which are sight-only records (supported only by written documentation).

Key:
Votes in parentheses (# accepted, # not accepted, # abstain)
[Notations: p=photo, v = video, a = audio, s = sketch]

ACCEPTED RECORDS:

RLKI-2018-1, Red-legged Kittiwake – 13 Dec 2018, 47.86 N 124.35 W, logging road between Hoh and Bogachiel Rivers, Jefferson County, fide COASST, fide Charlie Wright, Scott Horton [p], (YES =7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

STAL-2018-1, Short-tailed Albatross – 28 Sep 2018, 47.13889, -124.980 [off Cape Elizabeth], Grays Harbor County, Ken Lane [w], (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

RFBO-2018-1, Red-footed Booby – 20 Sep 2018, Dungeness Spit, Clallam County, Mary Sue Brancato [p] and Elaine Fredricksen [p] fide C Wright/COASST (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
State first record

CAEG-2018-1, Cattle Egret – 1 Nov 2018, Hanson Loop Rd., Burbank, Walla Walla County, MerryLynn Denny [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

VEFL-2018-1, Vermilion Flycatcher – 3-28 Dec 2018, 98th Ave SW, Stanwood, Snohomish County, Maxine Reid [w, p], Tom Mansfield [p], Ryan Merrill [p], Jordan Roderick [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

BGGN-2018-5, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (no subspecies established) – 13 Oct 2018, Frenchman’s Bar Park, Vancouver, Clark County, Cindy McCormack [w], Randy Hill [w], Bob Flores [w] (species vote: YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0; subspecies vote: ssp not established = 7).

PHAI-2018-1, Phainopepla – 19 Sep – 14 Oct 2018, Runnion and Sawmill Rd., Sequim, Clallam County, Bob Boekelheide [w, p], Matt Bartels [p], David Hoder [p], Tom Mansfield [p], Ryan Merrill [p], Grace & Ollie Oliver [p], Jennifer Standish [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

PROW-2018-1, Prothonotary Warbler – 22-23 Oct 2018, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Bill Tweit [w], Brad Waggoner [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

TEWA-2018-6, Tennessee Warbler – 28 Sep 2018, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Wendy Tarkon [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

TEWA-2018-7, Tennessee Warbler – 11 Oct 2018, Peshastin Pinnacles SP, Chelan County, Joe Veverka [w] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

CMWA-2019-1, Cape May Warbler – 10-13 Jan 2019, Marysville, Snohomish County, Pat Cottrell [w, p], Tom Mansfield [p], Ryan Merrill [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

CMWA-2019-2, Cape May Warbler – 20 Feb 2019, Ft. Vancouver Historical Area, Vancouver, Clark County, Cindy McCormack [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

CSWA-2018-6, Chestnut-sided Warbler – 10 Oct 2018, S 2nd Ave, Yakima, Yakima County, Lisa Dunn [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).

ACCEPTED RECORDS W/ CAVEATS:

For the following records, identification was confirmed by the votes, but additional issues remain before settling. After resolving the outstanding issues in the fall, some of these reports might yet be merged together.

SBGU-2018-2, Slaty-backed Gull – 14-24 Sep 2018, Puyallup 11th St. Bridge, Tacoma, Pierce County, Ed Pullen[p] Bruce LaBar [p] Michael Charest [p], (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss whether this appears to represent the same individual as accepted in SBGU-2018-1.

SBGU-2018-4, Slaty-backed Gull – 16 Nov – 8 Dec 2018, Columbia Park Marina, Richland, Benton County, Bill & Nancy LaFramboise [w, p], Michael Woodruff [w, p], (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss whether this appears to represent the same individual as accepted in SBGU-2016-1.

ARLO-2018-1, ARLO-2018-2 Arctic Loon – 1 Dec 2018, and 15, 16, 19, 21 & 22 Dec 2018, and 27 Jan 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County. The committee agreed that the identity was established for sightings described on 15 and 16 Dec 2018, and on Jan 27 2019, and agreed the January bird was likely the same individual continuing from December. The committee will discuss the details on reports from other dates to determine the full range of this sighting.

SNEG-2018-1, Snowy Egret – 28 Sep 2018, Lower River Road, Vancouver, Clark County, Cindy McCormack [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Snowy Egret[s] reported from Sep 2018 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.

SNEG-2018-2, Snowy Egret – 13-22 Dec 2018, Lower River Road, Vancouver, Clark County, Terry Anderson [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Snowy Egret[s] reported from Sep 2018 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.

SNEG-2019-1, Snowy Egret – 3 Jan – 26 Feb 2019, Lower River Road, Vancouver, Clark County, Jim Danzenbaker [w, p], Matt Bartels [p, v] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Snowy Egret[s] reported from Sep 2018 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.

BGGN-2018-3, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 14-18 Sep 2018, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Casey McHugh [w, p], Jim Danzenbaker [w, p ] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss whether this sighting can be identified to subspecies at the Fall 2019 meeting.

BGGN-2018-4, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 21-24 Sep 2018, Wenatchee Confluence Park, Wenatchee, Chelan County, David Poortinga [w, a, p], Tom Mansfield [p], (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss whether this sighting can be identified to subspecies at the Fall 2019 meeting.

REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED:

CAEG-2017-1, Cattle Egret – 15 Jul 2017, Deer Lagoon, Island County (YES = 0; NO = 7; ABSTAIN = 0).

LARB-2018-1, Lark Bunting – 23 Aug 2018, Ayer, Walla Walla County (YES = 0; NO = 6; ABSTAIN = 1).

SOSP-2018-1, Eastern Song Sparrow – 24 Oct 2018, Nisqually NWR, Thurston County (YES = 0; NO = 5; ABSTAIN = 2).

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