MD Birders:
Just a reminder, especially to anyone doing hawk watches, that back
in March, the MD/DC Records Committee added Northern Goshawk to the
Maryland and DC Review Lists.
Pasted at the bottom of this message is the rationale that was posted
by MD/DCRC member and NAB regional report editor, Matt Hafner.
Relevant sections are highlighted in red.
So, written reports and/or photos would be welcomed by the MD/DCRC
(and the eBird team).
Resources:
The MD/DCRC has no standard reporting form or format, but
helpful information on reporting ... templates, guidelines, memory
joggers, and even on-line reporting form ... can be found in the
"Reporting" section of the MD/DCRC web page here ...
http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
FYI, the MD and DC Review Lists are here ...
MD http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/pdf/mdreview.pdf
DC http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/pdf/dcreview.pdf
References: Although Northern Gowhawk identification challenges are
addressed in the popular field guides, especially some of the
excellent newer raptor field guides, I tried to find a good web site
or two that dug further into details and similar species, but did not
really come up with anything beyond the standard reference web sites
(Cornell, Whatbird, etc.). In addition to the challenge of
eliminating the expected similar species (e.g., Cooper's Hawk), other
extalimitals should also be considered, such as Gyrfalcon, Eurasian
Sparrowhawk, etc.
Thanks.
Phil
=========================================================================
>Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012
>From: Matt Hafner <mh1920...>
>Subject: [MDOSPREY] Changes to the review list by the MD/DC Records Committee
>To: <MDOSPREY...>
>
>MDOsprey,
>As you may have noticed in Phil's recent email about the recent
>MD/DC Records Committee meetings,a few changes were made to the
>Maryland Review list. We discussed these changes at length at the
>meeting and thought it would be good to explain some of the thoughts
>behind these changes.
>
>In case you missed it,three species were added to Category 2 of the
>review list, reviewable if seen anywhere in Maryland:
>
>Northern Goshawk (also added to the DC review list)
>Roseate Tern
>Brewer's Blackbird
>
>All of these species are rare in Maryland and are notoriously
>difficult to identify even by experienced observers. Reports of
>these species already receive some sort of review through eBird,
>Maryland Birdlife, and North American Birds, but the records
>committee review provides a more rigorous, formal, and
>well-documented process.
>
>Northern Goshawk
>Goshawks are definitely annual in the state, recorded as rare
>migrants and as very rare breeders in Garrett County. They are
>listed as state endangered due to their status as a rare breeder.
>Regularly staffed fall hawkwatches will routinely (though not
>necessarily annually) record Northern Goshawks in late October
>through November. However, Goshawks are still rarely encountered by
>most birders and eBird review throughout the Northeast indicates
>that many are misidentified. Very few photographs of Goshawks have
>been taken in Maryland and almost all photos submitted as
>documentation have been incorrect. This has led to such a widespread
>suspicion of Northern Goshawk reports that some observers wonder
>what we actually know about their occurrence in the state. We are
>hoping that adding the species to review list will increase the
>frequency with which the species is actively documented, thereby
>improving what we know of this species' occurrence in Maryland.
>
><snip>
>
>Please note that only future sightings of these species are
>reviewable, so there is no need to write-up sightings from the past
>year. However, if you do see one of these species in Maryland,
>please consider taking notes, photos, recordings, etc and submitting
>the documentation to the MD/DC Records Committee.
>
>Thank you!
>
>Matt Hafner
>Forest Hill, MD
===================================================
Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, Maryland 21035 USA
301-261-0184
mailto:<PDavis...>
MD/DCRC Web site: http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
===================================================
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