The Ohio Bird Records Committee maintains the official
list of spec


The Ohio Bird Records Committee maintains the official
list of species seen in the state. The committee reviews documentation for
sightings of species on the state review list and of potential first state
records. In the past two months the committee has completed reviews of 18
sightings and another 13 are currently underway. 


Highlights of the completed reviews include the acceptance
of two species new to the state list: Neotropic Cormorant, based on
documentation from Kathi Hutton for May 9, 2014 in Sandusky County; and Crested
Caracara, discovered on May 21, 2014 on Kelly’s Island, Erie County, and
documented by Terry Fout, the discoverer.  These additions will bring the official state
list to 430 species.

Documentation for another potential first state-record,
Broad-billed Hummingbird, seen on September 14,
2012 at Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Ottawa County, was also reviewed
but not accepted. Unfortunately only a single observer documented this bird, and
while his report was carefully and conscientiously constructed, -- and much
appreciated -- the bar for the acceptance of first state-records is very high.
The committee felt that this report from a single observer without a photograph
or specimen did not clear the bar. Any additional information about this bird,
especially any photographs, would be very welcome.

Documentation for two second state-records (statistically
rarer than first state-records) was also accepted. Rock Wren was seen in April
2014 in Holmes County and documented by multiple observers. Tufted duck was
seen in Ottawa County, also in April 2014, and documented by Andy Sewell. 


A report of a Burrowing Owl seen in 2007 in Clark County
came to the committee via a circuitous route. The owl was well-photographed by
the discoverer, Harold Shelley, and his report was accepted as the state’s
fifth record of the species.

Full accounts of the committee’s actions will appear in
forthcoming issues of The Ohio Cardinal. Information about the Ohio Bird Records
Committee – including forms and directions for documenting sightings -- can be
found at the Ohio Ornithological Society’s website, www.ohiobirds.org. 
 
Paul Gardner
Secretary, OBRC
Columbus, OH

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