MD Osprey and MD Birds:

Saturday is the beginning of the two-week Christmas Bird Count season.

I would like to remind counters and compilers that the MD/DC Records 
Committee would welcome reports of MD/DCRC "reviewable" species ... 
species and some subspecies/forms that are unusual to our region.

I would suggest that counters and compilers print a copy of our MD 
and/or DC "Review Lists" and throw them into your glovebox or 
backback for a field reference as which species are reviewable.

The MD Review List is here ...

         http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/pdf/mdreview.pdf  (only two pages)


The DC Review List is here ...

         http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/pdf/dcreview.pdf  (one page)


For MD, we also have a separate "review list" for subspecies and 
forms for which we would welcome reports. That list is here ...

         http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/pdf/mdsubrev.pdf  (one page)


Finally, there is no required format for reporting; however, we do 
have a helpful checklist/template of things to consider in a report. 
You can find it here ...

         http://www.mdbirds.org/mddcrc/pdf/rcform.pdf  (There is also 
an on-line web form and an MS Word document form on our web page)


Just one more thing ... many counts have their own requirements for 
documenting sightings that may be based on the time of the year or 
the range within the state for given species. Our MD/DCRC reviewable 
criteria are in addition to any imposed by the individual count compilers.

Just to (saw-)whet your appetite, some typical winter rarities that 
have occurred before and could put in a showing again include: 
Barrow's Goldeneye, Pacific Loon, Western Grebe, Swainson's Hawk, 
Gyrfalcon, Mew/Common Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Eurasian 
Collared-Dove, Hammond's Flycatcher, Say's Phoebe, Ash-throated 
Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Bohemian Waxwing, Boreal Chickadee, 
Townsend's Solitaire, Varied Thrush, Townsend's Warbler, Western 
Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Le Conte's Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, 
Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Pine Grosbeak, and Hoary 
Redpoll. Here's hoping!

Have a great count season!

Thanks.

Phil


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Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, Maryland  21035     USA
301-261-0184
mailto:[log in to unmask]

MD/DCRC Web site:  http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
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