SPRING 2020 – 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.
- 20 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).
- 2 received four or more ‘no’ votes, and are thus not accepted.
- 11 reports were deferred for more consideration at the fall meeting.
The two potential state first sightings reviewed this round, Northern Giant-Petrel and Eurasian Tree Sparrow, were not resolved in spring voting and will be discussed further in the fall.
The official Washington State Checklist remains at 518 species, including 504 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:
EMGO-2019-1, Emperor Goose – 1 Nov – 9 Dec 2019, Dungeness Spit, Dungeness NWR, Clallam County, Bob Boekelheide [p], Blair Bernson [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
EMGO-2019-2, Emperor Goose – 27-30 Nov 2019, Vancouver Lowlands, Clark County, Bob Flores [w, p], April Brown [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
KIEI-2019-1, King Eider – 15 Dec 2019, Phillips 66 Refinery, Ferndale, Whatcom County, Mike Nelson [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
MOPL-2019-1, Mountain Plover – 29 Nov – 10 Dec 2019, Conner Creek Mouth, Copalis Spit NA, Ocean City, Grays Harbor County, Carl Haynie [w, p, v], Jordan Roderick [p], Jennifer Standish [p], Blair Bernson [p], Dave Hayden [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
GUMU-2019-1, Guadalupe Murrelet – 27 Jul 2019, Westport Marina, Westport, Grays Harbor County, Scott Ramos [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
ROGU-2019-1, Ross’s Gull – 1 Dec 2019, Marsh Island, Seattle, King County, Blair Bernson [w, p], Ryan J Merrill [p], Dennis Paulson [w, p], David Poortinga [p], Netta Smith [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
GRSH-2019-1, Great Shearwater – 5 Oct 2019, Offshore, Westport pelagic, Grays Harbor County, Gene Revelas [w], Chuck Jensen [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
SNEG-2019-1, Snowy Egret – 29 Nov 2019 – 29 Feb 2020, Lower River Road, Vancouver, Clark County, Randy Hill [w, p], Matt Bartels [p], Mason Maron [p], Steve Pink [p], David Poortinga [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
CAEG-2019-2, Cattle Egret – 21 Oct 2019, Hammersly Inlet, Shelton, Mason County, Pam Burger [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
NHOW-2001-1, Northern Hawk Owl – 2 Feb 2001, Goldendale-Bickleton Rd., sw of Box Spring Rd., Klickitat County, Bill & Nancy LaFramboise [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
YBSA-2020-1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 3 Jan 2020, Camas, Clark County, Janis McLaren [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
EAPH-2019-1, Eastern Phoebe – 15 Dec 2019, Woodard Creek Wetland at Providence St. Peter, Olympia, Thurston County, Jennifer DeSelle-Milam [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
BRTH-2007-1, Brown Thrasher – 16 Jun 2007, Concrete, Skagit County, Jesse Watson [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
SIAC-2020-1, Siberian Accentor – 6 Feb – 1 Mar 2020, Stenerson Rd., Woodland, Cowlitz County, Bill Tweit [w, p], Russ Koppendrayer [w, p], Tom Mansfield [p], John Bishop [p], Rachel Hudson [p], Mason Maron [p], Dave Hayden [p], Bill Shelmerdine [p], Doug Schurman [p], Jordan Gunn [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
BRAM-2019-1, Brambling – 1 Dec 2019, Richland, Benton County, Bill & Nancy LaFramboise [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
RUBU-2019-1, Rustic Bunting – 3-15 Dec 2019, Cape Disappointment SP, Pacific County, Christy Kuhlman [w, p], Dave Hayden [p], Dave Poortinga [p], Jordan Gunn [p], Ryan J Merrill [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
LCSP-2019-2, LeConte’s Sparrow – 12 Oct 2019, McNary NWR, Walla Walla County, Susan Painter [w, p], Ivar Husa [p], Russ Morgan [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
HOOR-2019-2, Hooded Oriole – 19-23 Oct 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Brad Waggoner [w, p], Ryan J Merrill [w, p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
BLBW-2019-1, Blackburnian Warbler – 22 Sep 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Brad Waggoner [w], Ryan J. Merrill [w, p], Jordan Gunn [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0).
INBU-2019-2, Indigo Bunting – 12-19 Oct 2019, Butler’s Motel, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Gary Bletsch [w, p], Bruce LaBar [w], Michael Barry [p], Mike Nelson [p], Brad Waggoner [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-2019-3, Slaty-backed Gull – 16 Dec 2019 – 11 Jan 2020, Lower Monumental Dam, then tri-cities, Walla Walla, Benton, Franklin County, Mike & Merry Lynn Denny [w, p], Jason Fidorra [p], Elke Davis [p], John Bishop [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.
BGGN-2019-4, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 8-22 Nov 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Michael Hobbs [w], Brad Waggoner [p], Kenneth Trease [p], Ryan Merrill [a] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss whether this sighting can be identified to subspecies at the Fall 2020 meeting.
ETSP-2019-1, Eurasian Tree Sparrow – 27 Oct – 20 Nov 2019, Butler’s Motel, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Chris Warlow [w], Jordan Roderick [p], Randy Hill [p], John Gatchet [p], David Poortinga [p], Ann Marie Wood [p], Will Brooks [p], Alexander Sowers [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss whether this sighting should be considered to be of likely wild origin.
OROR-2019-1, Orchard Oriole – 22-23 Sep 2019, Naah Bay in town, Clallam County, Ryan J. Merrill [w, p], Brad Waggoner [w, p], RJ Baltierra [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Orchard Orioles reported from Sep 2019 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.
OROR-2019-2, Orchard Oriole – 22 Sep 2019, Baadah Loop, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Doug Schurman [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Orchard Orioles reported from Sep 2019 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.
OROR-2019-3, Orchard Oriole – 19-25 Oct 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Ryan J Merrill [w, p], Brad Waggoner [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Orchard Orioles reported from Sep 2019 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.
OROR-2019-4, Orchard Oriole – 30 Oct 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Brad Waggoner [p] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Orchard Orioles reported from Sep 2019 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.
OROR-2019-5, Orchard Oriole – 11 Nov 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Brad Waggoner [p], Michael Hobbs [w] (YES = 7; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 0). The committee will discuss the sightings of Orchard Orioles reported from Sep 2019 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.
OROR-2019-6, Orchard Oriole – 12-24 Nov 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County, Will Brooks [p], David Fraser [p], Tracee Geenaert [p], Bruce LaBar [p], Jordan Roderick [p] (YES = 6; NO = 0; ABSTAIN = 1). The committee will discuss the sightings of Orchard Orioles reported from Sep 2019 onwards in an attempt to determine how many individuals were likely present.
REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED:
CAEG-2019-1, Cattle Egret – 19 Oct 2019, Lynn Point Rd., Nemah, Pacific County (YES = 2; NO = 4; ABSTAIN = 1).
PHVI-2018-2, Philadelphia Vireo – 24 Aug 2018, N 64th St., Seattle, King County (YES = 0; NO = 6; ABSTAIN = 1).