Greetings from the Vermont Bird Records Committee,

We would like to thank you for making 2008 an exciting year for birding 
in Vermont. Ocean-faring birds made an appearance on Lake Champlain, 
there were record numbers of Hoary Redpolls across the state, and we saw 
Black Vultures continue their northward expansion. The Vermont Bird 
Records Committee met in November to review all the rare bird reports 
submitted in the past year. We are excited to announce that you can now 
log on to http://www.vtecostudies.org/vbrc/vbrcreports.htm to view which 
species were accepted as state records.

Highlights from 2008:
Brown Pelican, first state record (observed in 2003)
Arctic Loon, first hypothetical state record
Long-tailed Jaeger
Dovekie
Barn Owl
Three-toed Woodpecker
Yellow-throated Warbler
American Wigeon (nesting)
Cerulean Warbler (nesting)
Orchard Oriole (nesting)
Clay-colored Sparrow (nesting)

We had an influx of reports for several species that are becoming more 
regular in the state. We no longer require reports for the following 
species:

Cackling Goose
Ross’s Goose
Harlequin Duck (not required on Lake Champlain, but requested elsewhere)
Tufted Duck (not required on Lake Champlain, but requested elsewhere)
Long-tailed Jaeger (not required on Lake Champlain, but requested 
elsewhere)
Northern Gannet (not required in Champlain Valley, but requested elsewhere)
Black Vulture
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow
White-winged Crossbill
Hoary Redpoll
Orchard Oriole

Every year we receive rare bird reports that lack enough detail for 
conclusive identification, so we have posted an example of a poorly 
written RSD, which you can download from 
http://www.vtecostudies.org/vbrc/vbrcdocu.htm Send your completed (and 
detailed!) rare bird reports to: [log in to unmask]

Finally, for 2009, our resolutions are to update the Vermont Daily Field 
Card and create regional filters for Vermont eBird. Both of these 
actions will make it easier for everyone to maintain daily checklists 
and report rare sightings.

May 2009 bring many birds your way!

Vermont Bird Records Committee:
Hector Galbraith
Julie Hart
Dick Lavallee
Kent McFarland (rare bird report police)
Julie Nicholson (non-voting member)
Judy Peterson (co-chair)
Chris Rimmer (non-voting member)
Allan Strong (co-chair)
John Sutton
Sue Wetmore

-- 
Julie Hart
Mountain Birdwatch Coordinator
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
PO Box 420 • Norwich, VT 05055
802-649-1431 x 6
http://www.vtecostudies.org/MBW/   

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