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/ **************************************************************** To post messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list owner: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based archives and subscription management are available at: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html ****************************************************************