Records Committee
Secretary’s Report
Submitted by Jon S. Greenlaw
FOS Board of Directors Meeting, 5 August 2006
Synopsis
The FOSRC held its summer meeting on 5 August 2006 at Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida. We reviewed 17 new reports and resolved three tabled reports from earlier meetings. Fourteen of the 17 new reports were submitted with photographs. Altogether, we evaluated information that concerned ibis, geese, shearwaters, hawks, hummingbirds, a tropicbird, a dove, a Vanellus shorebird, and five passerines. Among the 13 new reports that were not tabled for later review, 10 were accepted and 3 were not accepted. No species was added to the Official State List of the Birds of Florida, and none was removed. Currently, the Florida Bird List remains at 497 species.
Meeting Accomplishments
The Records Committee of the Florida Ornithological Society met Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida, on Saturday, 5 August 2006. Members present and their year of term expiration on the FOSRC were, Jon Greenlaw (Secretary, 2006), Fred Lohrer (2007), Mickey Wheeler (2008), Sally Jue (2010), Andy Kratter (2011), and Glen Woolfenden (2012). Todd Engstrom (2009) was not able to make the meeting, so he evaluated the reports and submitted his votes separately. In the text that follows, bolded species names indicate accepted reports.
1. Meeting convened at 08:00, chaired by Jon Greenlaw, Secretary.
2. Minutes of the 28 January 2006 meeting at the FLMNH, Gainesville, Florida, were reviewed and accepted as revised before the meeting.
3. RC 03-504 WHITE-TIPPED DOVE, Leptotila verreauxi subsp., Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, Monroe County, Florida. The Committee received another photograph of this problematic dove, which was originally observed and photographed 19 April to 2 May 2003. It also obtained a copy of original field notes that one observer compiled at the time of the sighting. These notes and the well-lighted additional photograph were critically important. The Secretary compiled a PowerPoint presentation for members that reviewed and evaluated the body of documentation previously received. The field notes and new photograph supported the evidence from most of the previous photographs that lower underparts, including under tail coverts, were pale buff in color. Specimens of Leptotila v. fulviventris from the Field Museum of Natural History and some published descriptions of that taxon indicated that gray on the dorsal surface of the head is restricted to the crown. In contrast, specimens and descriptions of L. jamaicensis gaumeri indicated that the gray on the crown extends onto the nape and adjoining hindneck. Photographs of the Tortugas dove confirmed that gray on the crown did not extend onto the nape. This character and the colored lower underparts discounted L. j. gaumeri and other populations of the Caribbean Dove. Among White-tipped Dove populations, and other Leptotila in the region, the buff tone on the lower underparts is diagnostic of the Yucatan subspecies of the White-tipped Dove, L. v. fulviventris. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
4. RC 04-526 YELLOW-GREEN VIREO, Vireo flavoviridis, observed in Indigenous Park, Key West, Monroe County, on 9 September 2002. Because the report was prepared almost two years after the sighting, we hesitated to accept the report based entirely on old memory. The description that we received was diagnostic, and clearly discounted other similar vireos (which were present on that occasion as well), so we tabled the report pending further information from the observer on the possible existence of timely field notes. We recently received a photocopy of such notes, which supported the sighting report submitted to the Committee in 2004. VOTE: 6 accept, 0 not accept, 1 abstain. ACCEPTED.
5. RC 05-561 SAY’S PHOEBE, Sayornis saya, adult, unknown sex, observed by one person, 26 January 2005, at St. Marks NWR, Wakulla County, Florida. No photograph. The description was minimally adequate, and seemed to rule out alternative possibilities. The written account was ambiguous on whether the observer witnessed tail pumping, a behavior that is expected in the species. The observer did not have timely field notes, and could not clarify our issue on behavior. VOTE: 0 accept, 7 not accept. NOT ACCEPTED.
6. RC 06-593 CASSIN’S KINGBIRD, Tyrannus vociferans, one individual of unknown age and sex, observed and photographed in the Balm subdivision on Sweat Loop Road, Hillsborough County, 6 February 2006. Excellent photographs were diagnostic, and the description discounted similar species. A Western Kingbird T. verticalis present at the same time was photographed for comparison. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
7. RC 06-594 ICELAND GULL, Larus glaucoides, a single second-winter bird, sex unknown, observed and photographed at the Volusia County Landfill, Volusia County, 11 February 2006. The file contained a photograph of a second individual as well. There was some question at the time of the meeting as to which individual the documentation report applied. Parts of the description did not seem to aptly describe either individual, which were both well-photographed. The identification of either bird was not in dispute. Pending clarification from the original observer and photographer, the Committee tabled the report.
VOTE: TABLED.
8. RC O6-595 WHITE-FACED IBIS, Plegadis chihi, a single adult observed and photographed in Tuskawillow Lake, Micanopy, Alachua County, on 25 February 2006. The photograph documented red facial skin, red irides, and distinct but not bright reddish tone on legs. White facial frame absent, indicating nonbreeding condition. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
9. RC 06-596 CACKLING GOOSE, Branta hutchinsii, a single bird, unknown sex and age, at Fort Walton Beach spray fields, Okaloosa County, observed on 10 December 2005. A single distant photograph showed a relatively small, white-cheeked goose with a small, triangular bill. Ross’s Geese (Chen rossii) and two Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were present in the same photograph. The position of the head (slightly turned away) did not permit confident evaluation of head or bill shape. Size approximately equal to or slightly larger than Ross’s Goose standing nearby. Description did not consider possibility of difficult-to-separate small Canada Goose, Branta c. parvipes. Identification likely correct on geographic grounds, but evidence unable to confirm. VOTE: 0 accept, 7 not accept. NOT ACCEPTED.
10. RC 06-597 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, Accipiter gentilis, an immature-plumaged bird observed briefly at Seagrove Beach, Walton County, on 16 February 2006. Size was described as “huge”, and a “light streak” was present above and behind the eye. Relative size of a solitary hawk can be difficult to judge. The pale superciliary is supportive. The basic, written description did not mention body proportions, and tail length and tip-shape were uncertain. This species is extremely rare in Florida, while the similar Cooper’s Hawk (A. cooperi) is common. The only verifiable evidence for occurrence is a partial skeleton. Stevenson and Anderson (1994) mentioned only four sightings through 1992 that they regarded as “acceptable”, one of which was an adult. No other sighting of a goshawk in Florida was reported during the 1992-2005 period covered by the Field Observation Committee’s quarterly summaries in Florida Field Naturalist. Considering its rarity in Florida, the Committee felt that only a photograph accompanied by a strong supporting description might be acceptable for verification. VOTE: 0 accept, 7 not accept. NOT ACCEPTED.
11. RC 06-598 CASSIN’S KINGBIRD, Tyrannus vociferans, a single adult observed and photographed along CR-835 south of Canon Hammock Park, Hendry County, on 15 April 2006. Excellent photographs (with an associated Western Kingbird photographed for comparison) and a good written description provided diagnostic details. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
12. RC 06-599 ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD, Selasphorus sasin, an adult male banded and measured in Tallahassee, Leon County, on 14 January 2006. Measurements and images of the critical, diagnostic rectrices (R2, R5), together with photographs of the hand-held bird, were part of the detailed documentation provided by an experienced hummingbird bander. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
13. RC 06-600 ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD, Selasphorus sasin, an adult male banded and measured in Tallahassee, Leon County, on 22 February 2006. Measurements and images of the critical, diagnostic rectrices (R2, R5), together with photographs of the hand-held bird, were part of the detailed documentation provided by an experienced hummingbird bander. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
14. RC 06-601 CACKLING GOOSE, Branta hutchinsii, a small-bodied, small billed, white-cheeked goose observed by several birders from 2 February to 1 March, 2006 in Barefoot Bay, south of Palm Bay, in Brevard County. The single photograph featured a large Canada Goose, and the small goose with its head slightly turned. The perspective on the small goose’s head made it difficult to confidently evaluate bill shape. The small size, head shape, apparent bill shape, and pale chest support the identification. The report was tabled pending a request for other photographs that provided a lateral view of the head. VOTE: TABLED.
15. RC 06-602 MANX SHEARWATER, Puffinus puffinus, three adults, sexes unknown, observed but not photographed 42 nmi east of Ponce Inlet, Volusia County, on 1 January 2006. The written description provided good detail that discounted the similar Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri). The birds were observed at 50 yards (45 m) for about 3 minutes per sighting in good light. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
16. RC 06-603 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, Buteo lagopus, a single immature pale morph bird, sex unknown, observed by three people (no photographs) on the Zellwood CBC, Lake Apopka Restoration Area, Orange County, on 21 December 2005. The bird was well described, including key features such as white rump, white inner tail with wide, dark terminal band, dark belly band, long wings and tail, dark wrists, and white “window” on outer, upper wing. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
17. RC 06-604 “EUROPEAN” HERRING GULL, Larus argentatus subsp., a single bird observed by multiple birders and photographed by two people at the Volusia County Landfill, Daytona Beach, Volusia County, 11 February to 6 March 2006. Documentation included a single written synopsis of the European taxa, L. argentatus ssp. (two subspecies, L. a. argentatus [northcentral Europe, Finland to Germany] and L. a. argenteus [western Europe, from southern Scandinavia, British Isles, south to the Iberian Peninsula]), L. michahellis (Yellow-legged Gull, southwestern Europe, and Mediterranean and Black seas basins), and the American L. a. smithsonianus (northern North America). In addition, 14 superb photographs of the bird on the ground and in flight, showing all potential field characters, and submitted comments from several European and American gull aficionados completed the body of information available. Not included in the written description and evaluation by the lead observer, but mentioned by one commentator, was L. cachinnans (Caspian Gull). The outside commentators disagreed among themselves on the ID of the Florida bird, although the leading gull authority, Klaus M. Olsen, senior author of the new book on gulls, supported the “European” Herring Gull ID. Olsen and Larsson (2004) have split the herring gulls on the two sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The British Ornithologists’ Union is considering the taxonomic status of the complex. There is little direct experience on the Committee with the European gull taxa. Moreover, we do not yet know the vagrancy record of the “European” Herring Gull taxa in the Americas. Considering the potential complexity of the issues relating to gull identification involving species in Europe and North America, the Committee expressed a desire to go slow, and thus tabled the matter. VOTE: TABLED.
18. RC 06-605 WHITE-FACED IBIS, Plegadis chihi, an adult in breeding condition, observed and photographed at Fort Walton Beach spray fields near Mary Esther, Okaloosa County, on 17 May 2006. Excellent photographs, supported by a written description, showed bright red eyes and face, complete white facial frame, and distinctly reddish legs. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
19. RC 06-606 SOUTHERN LAPWING, Vanellus chilensis, presumptively a single bird observed on two separate occasions, 21 May and 10 Jun 2006, at St. Marks NWR, Wakulla County. Previous sightings in Florida included some known escapees from captivity, but natural vagrancy in other cases is possible (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). The documentation in this instance included a written description and evaluation, and several distant photographs. The identification of the St. Marks bird is not in dispute. Plumage characters suggested the present bird represented the northern subspecies, V. c. cayennensis, of this South American species. This subspecies, with nearest breeding individuals in Colombia, Trinidad, and Costa Rica, is apparently relatively sedentary (no documented history of vagrancy in northern Middle America, for example). The species is sometimes kept in captivity, but probably not commonly. The St. Marks bird was not banded, and did not bear any other indications of previous captivity. One week after the lapwing disappeared from St. Marks refuge, a bird of this species appeared in Maryland. It is not out of the question that this was the same individual seen in Florida. At the moment any decision other than possible escapee (origin unknown) would be speculative. The species is not yet accepted on the North American species list by the American Birding Association. Our Rules require that we be conservative in such voting issues unless evidence of natural vagrancy is concrete and convincing. VOTE: 0 accept, 7 not accept. NOT ACCEPTED.
20. RC 06-607 BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, Icterus bullockii, a female appeared at a Brookforest Drive feeder in Tallahassee, Leon County, on 17 February and stayed until 18 March 2006. An excellent photograph and good written description confirmed its identity. Field characters included yellowish supercilium, distinct saw-toothed black pattern in the white wing-bar of the median coverts, dark eyeline, and pale grayish-yellow tone on face and breast. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
21. RC 06-608 RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD, Phaethon aethereus, a subadult individual of unknown sex, observed and photographed about 8 mi southeast of Key Biscayne, and about 2 mi southeast of Fowey Rocks Light, Miami-Dade County. The documentation record contained four photographs, a written description and analysis, a provocative evaluation of discriminating field-marks that separate young Red-billed and White-tailed (P. lepturus) tropicbirds, and remarks from online commentators. The Committee felt it needed to examine specimens in relation to suggested field characters that may be used to discriminate the two tropicbirds in question. VOTE: TABLED.
22. RC 06-609 MANX SHEARWATER, Puffinus puffinus, a probable adult, observed in the Gulfstream about 9 nmi southeast of Key Biscayne, off Miami, Miami-Dade County. The bird flew close by the boat and was seen by four observers under good viewing conditions. It was well-described, and distinguished from the similar Audubon’s Shearwater. Characters noted were shape, apparent size, flight behavior, and distinctive plumage features. The black above and white below pattern, and white undertail coverts that extended to tail tip were among the characters observed. This species may be more regular off the Florida east coast at certain seasons than is now recognized. VOTE: 7 accept, 0 not accept. ACCEPTED.
24. NEW BUSINESS:
a. There were no Subcommittee reports.
b. Jon Greenlaw reached his term limit and leaves the FOSRC as of the Fall 2006 FOS meeting. Dr. Andrew (Andy) Kratter will take over as Committee Secretary at that time. These events were duly recognized by the Committee.
c. 15th Report of FOSRC.—This report has been submitted to the Florida Field Naturalist for publication. It covers the period from the 14th Report through the end of 2005. A 16th report to provide a 2006 annual report will be prepared by Jon Greenlaw and Andy Kratter.
d. The Committee agreed to remove White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) and Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) from the Florida Review List of species. Otherwise, no species were added or removed from the Official List of Florida Species, so the count still stands at 497 species. The forty-seventh supplement to the A.O.U. Check-list introduced some changes in scientific name and in sequence that affects our Official List. The appended Official List (Appendix 1) incorporates these changes.
e. Two positions opened up on the FOSRC, as Todd Engstrom resigned, and Jon Greenlaw routinely stepped down at the end of his seven year term. We considered three qualified candidates. The two that we selected had special experience that we felt the Committee needed at this time. The third person remains a viable candidate nominee for the future. The Committee recommended that Bill Pranty fill out Todd Engstrom’s remaining term (until 2009), and that Mark Berney (Miami) replace Jon Greenlaw.
f. The Committee discussed the possibility of resolving some more routine future reports by electronic mail, and perhaps meeting again only once a year. This matter is left to the next Secretary to resolve.
25. Meeting adjourned at 15:45.
Literature Cited
Olsen, K. M. and H. Larsson. 2004. Gulls of North America, Europe, and Asia. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville.
Stevenson, H. M. and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon
Jon S. Greenlaw,
Secretary, FOSRC,
30 March 2006