23 March 2021
Announcing the winner of our IBIS Best ECR Paper (2020) award
View
8 March 2021
Announcing our #BOUscicommAwards winners
View
10 February 2021
Announcing the nominees for the #BOUscicommAwards
View
28 October 2020
Bearded Vultures in the UK and northwest Europe
View
26 June 2020
Black Lives Matter
A statement from the Equality and Diversity Working Group (EDWG) of the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU).
More details
20 March 2020
Covid-19 impacts on BOU activities
Details of the cancellation of the our annual conference and other impacts the Covid-19 pandemic is having on our activities.
More details
6 March 2020
Changes to the British List
Subspecies admitted to the List: ‘Mandt’s’ Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle mandtii.
More details
12 February 2020
Changes to the British List: BOURC 51st Report
BOURC 51st Report | includes subspecies admitted to the List: ‘Taiga’ Merlin Falco columbarius columbarius and ‘North American’ Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris (alpestris/praticola/hoyti); new first record of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis; and taxonomic update and sequence chances to the List (to IOC World Bird List v.10.1)
More details
13 January 2020
Changes to the British List
Subspecies admitted to the List: ‘Taiga’ Merlin Falco columbarius columbarius and ‘North American’ Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris (alpestris/praticola/hoyti); new first record of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis.
More details
16 December 2019
Changes to the British List: BOURC 50th Report
Additions/changes to the British List inc. ‘Richardson’s’ Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Falcated Duck, Dalmatian Pelican, Little Auk, White-rumped Swift, Lesser Whitethroat, Eastern Orphean Warbler, White-crowned Sparrows, plus other files currently in circulation.
More details
1 August 2019
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has added the following subspecies to the British List:
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
First-calendar-year, Hornsea Mere, Yorkshire, 14 October 2018 (photographed).
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer, Hornsea Mere, Yorkshire, 14 October 2018 © James Lowen
The series of excellent photographs helped confirm the identification of this bird, and excluded closely-related and similar looking congeners. There are no issues with provenance, as the species is not kept in captivity. Indeed, the species had long been a predicted vagrant to Britain, with a small migratory population in south-west Europe, where it is a summer breeding visitor from sub-Saharan Africa. In autumn 2018, numerous extra-limital swifts of the genus Apus with similar European distributions appeared in Britain, including relatively large numbers of Pallid Swifts A. pallidus and a single Little Swift A. affinis. So the appearance of this individual was likely associated with the same weather patterns. Thus the species was accepted to Category A.
White-rumped Swift is monotypic, and breeds throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Morocco with small numbers migrating to breed during the summer in Spain and Portugal.
It should be placed after Little Swift Apus affinis on the British List.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 50th report due to be published in Ibis in January 2020.
Upon publication of this change, the British List stands at 620 species (Category A = 602; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
15 May 2019
At the recent BOU AGM, existing BOURC member James Gilroy was elected as member of BOU Council to Chair the Records Committee.
James is a Lecturer in Ecology at the University of East Anglia. His research combines ecological modelling, large-scale spatial analysis and field-based empirical studies, to examine how movement behaviour influences the way species respond to environmental change. A lifelong birder and natural historian, he is fascinated with migration, and understanding how populations can adapt to human-induced changes. Alongside his work on migratory birds, he has a strong interest in exploring how agricultural land-use decisions can be optimised to protect biodiversity, particularly in the tropics.
With James’ move to the Chair, we’re delighted to announce that Chris Batty has replaced him as an ordinary member on BOURC.
Chris developed a diverse interest in birds from an early age and as well as a natural enthusiasm for rarities, he is a trained ringer and has enjoyed roles as both local bird recorder and report editor on the Fylde, Lancashire, where his lifetime’s local birding was rewarded with the discovery of Britain’s third Great Knot on his childhood patch. After graduating in Ecology at the University of East Anglia, Chris completed a further degree and worked for the RSPB before returning to Rare Bird Alert where more than twenty years of service have given him a sound knowledge of the British birding scene that, alongside a wide range of identification interests, was recognised by his election to the British Birds Rarities Committee on which he has now served for twelve years. Although having travelled extensively throughout much of the Western Palearctic, Chris is now more likely to be found at home where he monitors bird migration through automated sound recordings.
13 March 2019
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has added the following subspecies to the British List:
Richardson’s Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii , Holkham Freshmarsh, Norfolk, February 1999 © Ian Leach
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii (Richardson’s Cackling Goose)
Third-calendar-year or older, Holkham Freshmarsh, Norfolk, 6-23 February 1999 (photographed).
After many years of debate some clarity about the taxonomic relationships, identification and distribution of the North American ‘white-cheeked’ geese of the genus Branta has been achieved (North American Birds 62, 344-360, British Birds 109: 677-684). This allowed the acceptance of Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii to the British List (Ibis 159, 238–242). However, at that time, it was felt that the first British record, from Plex Moss and Formby Moss, Lancashire during November 1976, could not be conclusively identified to subspecies.
Following this decision, a number of candidates were considered by BOURC for subspecies-level acceptance, resulting in a unanimous decision that the Holkham Freshmarsh individual from November 1999 showed features consistent with the subspecies B. h. hutchinsii. Furthermore, there was no evidence of a captive origin, with the bird seen in a flock of Pink-footed Geese Anser brachyrhynchus, a plausible carrier species for a vagrant crossing the Atlantic. Thus the record and subspecies was accepted to Category A.
Richardson’s Cackling Goose breeds in north and central Canada and Greenland, migrating to winter in Texas, USA and Mexico.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 50th report due to be published in Ibis in January 2020.
Upon publication of this change, the British List stands at 619 species (Category A = 601; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
View the British List, sponsored by Leica
4 March 2019
Equality & Diversity Support Officer
4 March 2019
The BOU is delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Rowe (University of Derby) as our new Equality & Diversity Support Officer.
Graham is a molecular ecologist teaching on a range of subjects including molecular genetics and DNA technologies, molecular evolution, population and conservation genetics, ecology, conservation biology and macroevolution.
He has championed widening participation and inclusivity at the University of Derby in the hope that he could help to improve the experiences of the future generations, and has served as Chair of the University of Derby’s LGBT Awareness Group (2009-2016) and the University’s Governing Council (2014-2016).
Graham has taken up his honorary position as Equality & Diversity Support Officer, and a member of the BOU’s Engagement Committee, and will be working with the BOU’s Equality & Diversity Working Group in delivering our E&D commitments across our various activities.
Visit Graham’s university page
Follow Graham on Twitter
To BOU Equality, Diversity and Inclusiveness page
25 February 2019
In recent years the BOU has been at the forefront of promoting science communication within ornithology. We champion the use of social media for promoting and discussing research, and #theBOUblog is one of the most-read avian science blogs.
Online mentions of research articles can now be measured using altmetrics. Since their introduction we’ve educated our community about the role of altmetrics, used them to measure the overall reach of ornithological articles, and to investigate the key communication channels which contribute to the altmetrics of avian science articles.
We are now introducing two awards that recognise science communication excellence in ornithology, focusing on the primary contributors to ornithological altmetrics – social media (specifically Twitter and Facebook) and blogging. Read more . . .
15 February 2019
Journal Publicity Support Officer
The BOU is delighted to announce the appointment of Jente Ottenburghs (Uppsala University) as our new Journal Publicity Support Officer.
Jente describes himself as a curious evolutionary biologist with a passion for writing. His research focuses on the evolution of birds using the newest genomic techniques. He regularly writes articles for popular science websites, magazines and newspapers. He recently wrote his first fantasy novel (in Dutch) and is also a stand-up comedian.
Jente will take up his honorary position as Journal Publicity Support Officer, and a member of the BOU’s Engagement Committee, on 1 March when he will assist with the promotion of our journal, IBIS, and the articles we publish.
1 February 2019
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has added the following species to the British List:
Falcated Duck Mareca falcata
Adult, Welney, Norfolk, 9 to 27 December 1986; same Pitsford, Northamptonshire, 15 February to 5 April 1987; same Welney, Norfolk, 20 August to 8 October 1987; same Thrapston/Ringstead, Northamptonshire, 12 December 1987 to 6 March 1988 (photographed).
Falcated Duck has been considered for admission to the British List on a number of occasions over the years during which time it remained in Category D (Ibis 135: 493-499; 153: 227–232; 154: 212–215; 160: 190–240; 160: 936-942).
As is often the case with wildfowl, the issue was not of identification (which is relatively straightforward) but to decide the origin of individuals, which could either be from the wild or escapes from captive collections, as the species is kept widely.
After the careful consideration of a number of plausible candidates the Committee decided, by a two-thirds majority, that the Welney, Norfolk bird, first seen in December 1986, subsequently observed at sites in Northamptonshire and again at Welney, until March 1988, was eligible for Category A.
Falcate Duck breeds in Mongolia, eastern Siberia and north-east China. Migrates south to winter in northern India, south and eastern China, south Korea and Japan.
It should be placed after Gadwall Mareca strepera on the British List.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 50th report due to be published in Ibis in October 2019.
These changes will be published as part of the BOURC’s 50th report due to be published in IBIS in October 2019. Upon publication of this change, the British List stands at 619 species (Category A = 601; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
View the British List, sponsored by Leica
Image credit
Falcate Duck | Francis C. Franklin CC BY SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons
10 August 2018
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has added the following subspecies to the British List:
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii
Second-calendar-year, Woolston Eyes, Cheshire, 30 April 2016 (photographed).
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leugophrys gambelii, Woolston Eyes, Cheshire, Apr 2016
© David Bowman
As a subspecies breeding in north-western North America this taxon seems an unlikely vagrant to Europe. However, a number of individuals showing the distinctive head pattern and bill colour of gambelii have been noted on the east coast of North America, so it is prone to vagrancy. Moreover, other north-western Nearctic bird species, both non-passerines and passerines, have also reached Europe, so such extralimital movements can occur.
There is a previous Western Palearctic record of a bird resembling gambelii from Corvo, Azores, on 20-22 October 2013.
The Cheshire individual showed all the characteristics of the subspecies gambelii. Its presence in late April accords with other European records of North American sparrows, which have often been found in late spring. There were no issues with provenance, as the species is not reported in captivity.
Breeds in North America in Alaska and west Canada, migrating south through the western USA to winter to central Mexico.
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys
Second-calendar-year or older, male, Port of Ness (Port Nis), Isle of Lewis (Eilean Leòdhais), Outer Hebrides, 3-4 and 31 May 2016 (photographed).
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys, Port of Ness (Port Nis), Isle of Lewis (Eilean Leòdhais), Outer Hebrides, May 2016 © John Murdo MacFarlane
Though there are a number of records of this species in Britain and north-west Europe, none had been confirmed as the nominate subspecies leucophrys. This is the most likely subspecies to be a vagrant to Europe as it breeds in central and north-eastern North America, moving large distances along the east coast to winter in south and south-east USA.
The Outer Hebrides individual was well photographed and described allowing confirmation that it was the subspecies leucophrys. Previous records, including the first on Fair Isle, Shetland, in 1977, were noted as likely intergrades, showing some ‘intermediate’ characteristics with other subspecies.
Such a late spring sighting on a Scottish island is typical for vagrant Nearctic sparrows. Furthermore, there are no issues with provenance, as it is rarely reported in captivity.
Breeds in North America in central and eastern Canada, migrating south to winter in south and south-eastern USA.
The British List remains at 616 species (Category A = 598; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
6 August 2018
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has placed the following in Category C5:
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
Adult, Cowpen Bewley, Cleveland, 8 April 2018 (photographed; ringing recovery (colour-ring field sighting)).
Colour-ringed Egyptian Goose, ringed in the Netherlands, at Cowpen Bewley, Cleveland, April 2018
© Ian Forrest
This species is already placed in Category C1 of the British List (and also in Category E*), due to the presence of a naturalised population in England (see BTO distribution map).
However, the increase of a much larger naturalized population on the near Continent in the Netherlands has resulted in the movement of these birds to other countries. The presence of this adult with colour Darvik leg-rings placed on it in Amsterdam on 21 July 2017 confirmed that Continental naturalised birds can reach Britain. This individual was with two other non-ringed birds, which were likely of the same origin.
As an immigrant species ‘from established naturalized populations abroad’ this made the record a ‘Vagrant naturalized species’ (Ibis 160: 190-240), and so eligible for Category C5.
Category C5 was added to the British List in 2005 (Ibis 147: 803-820) in recognition of increasing naturalised populations of several species on the near Continent. This is the first record of any species to be formally admitted to Category C5.
Natural populations breed in Africa from southern Mauritania to southern Egypt and Ethiopia, south to South Africa. Naturalized breeding populations in north-west Europe including the Netherlands and England.
The British List remains at 616 species (Category A = 598; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
View the British List, sponsored by Leica
15 March 2018
The BOU is pleased to announce that the first BOU John & Pat Warham Studentship has been awarded to Professor Jenny Gill at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) .
Seabirds undertake incredible journeys across the ocean, and our understanding of their movements is being transformed by advances in technology. For some population, sufficient individual have been tracked to allow us to explore the ecological processes involved in these large-scale movements, and the consequences for impacts of human activities such as fishing, pollution and climate change that are transforming the marine environment
The first BOU John & Pat Warham Studentship will complement existing studies of the ‘Round Island petrel’, a hybrid Pterodroma petrel breeding only on Round Island in the Indian Ocean.
Round Island petrels have been the subject of a study by the ZSL since 2009. These petrels breed at a single colony (Round Island), 23 km off Mauritius, and ZSL studies have shown that this is a three-way hybrid complex consisting of one species from the Atlantic (Pterodroma arminjoniana) and at least two from the Pacific (P. heraldica and P. neglecta).
Prof Jenny Gill (UEA) stated “we are really delighted to receive this BOU funding, which will allow us to bring together researchers from UEA, ZSL, British Antarctic Survey and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to carry out this very exciting project”.
Prof Ken Norris (ZSL) added “Round Island petrels are a fascinating combination of three petrel species inter-breeding in one remote ocean location that undertake incredible journeys around the Indian Ocean. We’re excited about this opportunity as this funding will help us investigate many of the questions that have arisen from the tracking studies we’ve been undertaking in recent years”.
Prof Phil Atkinson, Chair of the BOU’s Grants Committee commented “we’re delighted that the first BOU John & Pat Warham Studentship has been awarded to a team with a proven track record in addressing novel research questions. This should prove to be both a challenging and interesting study into a remote and complex taxon”.
This PhD will run from October 2018 to March 2022. We will make a further announcement when the application period for this project is open.
BOU John & Pat Warham Studentships are funded by a bequest left to the BOU by the late John and Pat Warham for the study of of Sphenisciform and Procellariiform seabirds.
Image Credit: Round Island petrel Pterodroma sp © Malcolm Nicoll</small
8 January 2018
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following to the British List.
Elegant Tern Thalasseus elegans
Third-calendar-year or older, Dawlish Warren NNR, Devon, 18 May 2002 (photographed).
Elegant Tern, Dawlish Warren, Devon, 18 May 2002 © Paul Marshall
Identification of the various species that comprise the orange-billed group of terns has received much attention, with it established recently that birds showing the correct suite of features of Elegant Tern can be safely identified as this species (Journal of Ornithology 158, 351-361). This has allowed the Dawlish Warren record to be accepted as the British first.
Breeds in coastal south-west USA and north-west Mexico, dispersing along the west coast of Latin America.
It should be placed after Cabot’s Tern Thalasseus acuflavidus on the British List.
Other decisions:
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus
First-calendar-year, Kenfig (Cynffig), Mid Glamorgan (Morgannwg Ganol),
24 November 1979 (sight record, ringing recovery).
A review of British records of Royal Tern was instigated to establish the first acceptable record. This resulted in the rejection of the St Ives, Cornwall record from 2 September 1971, and the retention of the Kenfig record. The review also confirmed that the Kenfig individual belonged to the nominate Nearctic subspecies maximus. This was due to a leg-ring that established it being marked in a North American breeding colony.
There are potential future changes in the taxonomy of Royal Tern, with the two subspecies on either side of the Atlantic likely being split to create two new species (Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 121, 439-445). DNA evidence suggests that West African albididorsalis birds are more closely related to Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis. If this taxonomic revision occurs the Kenfig record will become the first British record of this new monotypic species.
Nominate maximus breeds from coastal southern California to Peru, and from Florida and the West Indies to Argentina; with albididorsalis breeding from Mauritania to Guinea, dispersing south to Namibia.
Thayer’s Gull Larus glaucoides thayeri
New first record: a first-calendar-year/second-calendar-year bird at Stanton Harcourt, Oxford from 4 December 2007 to 8 January 2008, with the same at Erin Tip, Pools Brook CP and Markham Pit Yard, Derby on 16-18 February 2008 (photographed) pre-dates the previously accepted first record of this subspecies, and is therefore accepted as the first British record.
Further details of these decisions will be published as part of the BOURC’s 49th report due to be published in Ibis in October 2018. Upon publication of these decisions, the British List stands at 615 species (Category A = 597; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
6 December 2017
We are pleased to announce that Leica will again be supporting the BOU as sponsors of the British List.
Leica’s pedigree and heritage as a manufacturer of some of the world’s finest optics is matched by the BOU’s own standing within the global academic ornithology and British birding communities.
Jason Heward, MD of Leica Camera UK stated “we are very pleased to return as sponsor of the British List and to support the BOU. This partnership will further Leica’s work with the birding community in the promotion and support of wildlife conservation and the science which underpins it”.
Steve Dudley of the BOU commented “This is very exciting for the BOU, renewing a partnership with a premier brand we have always enjoyed working with. This new partnership renews the association we enjoyed with Leica as sponsors of the British List previously, and we are looking forward to developing this new partnership over coming years”.
The British List, sponsored by Leica View
More about Leica, their products and the projects they support View
24 August 2017
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following to the British List
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
Adult, Minsmere RSPB reserve, Suffolk, 31 July to 5 August 2016, and Alkborough Flats, Lincolnshire, 30 August to 4 January 2017.
Purple Swamphen, Minsmere, Suffolk, August 2016 © Jim Almond/Shropshire Birder
This individual was first found in Suffolk in late July 2016, where it remained for several days, before being relocated in Lincolnshire some weeks later and where it lingered until early January 2017.
Swamphens have been observed in Britain previously, but these records have involved either known escapes or other/uncertain taxa, and so placed in Category E.
In contrast, the Minsmere bird appeared at a time when increasing numbers of Purple Swamphens have been located in northwest continental Europe, including northern France. The increase in extralimital records is due to a recent expansion of some populations, possibly stimulated and/or assisted by several reintroduction schemes in southern Spain, coupled with the creation and protection of suitable wetland breeding habitat. This first British record accords with an emerging pattern of vagrancy for the species.
Resident in southwest Europe and northwest Africa.
Purple Swamphen should be placed after Sora Porzana carolina on the British List.
Further details of this decision will be published as part of the BOURC’s 48th report expected to be published in Ibis in January 2018. Upon publication of these decisions, the British List stands at 610 species (Category A = 592; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
18 May 2017
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following to the British List
Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella
Mossy Hill, Scousburgh, Mainland, Shetland, 9-10 October 2016 (photographed).
The species is admitted to Category A of the British List.
Siberian Accentor, Shetland, October 2016 | Mike Pennington | CC-BY-SA-2.0 | geograph.org.uk
This was one of the most straightforward additions to the British List dealt with by BOURC, being accepted by the Committee after just two days of consideration. The description and excellent photographs confirmed identification. The species is a long-anticipated Siberian vagrant to Britain: this individual was part of an unparalleled invasion to north-western Europe in October and November 2016, when over 200 birds were recorded, with at least another 10 subsequently found in Britain.
Siberian Accentor breeds in the taiga zone across northern Russia, from north-east Europe east to Chukotka; wintering from north-east China to Korea.
It should be placed after Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris on the British List.
Further details of this decision will be published as part of the BOURC’s 47th report expected to be published in Ibis in October 2017. Upon publication of this decision, the British List stands at 606 species (Category A = 588; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
Find us on . . .
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
17 March 2017
Changes to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) is pleased to make the following announcements in relation to the British List:
Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Four records: one, adult female, 1 January to 24 March 2008, Loch Morlich, Highland (sight record, photographed); one, adult male, 16 April to 20 June 2009, Brow Loch, Loch of Spiggie and Loch of Hillwell, Mainland, Shetland (sight record, photographed); one, male, 27-30 March 2014, Loch a’ Mhuilinn, Stoneybridge (Staoinebrig), South Uist, Outer Hebrides (sight record, photographed); one, adult male, 2 November to 29 December 2014, Banton Loch, Clyde (sight record, photographed).
This species is moved from Category E* to Category D.
The identification was established for all four records, but their origin was unclear. Though there is now compelling evidence that this Nearctic species can exhibit vagrancy and cross the Atlantic being recorded both on the Azores and Iceland, in mainland Europe the situation is far more problematic. The species is held in collections in large numbers across the continent and so many birds seen in Europe are likely to be escapes. To identify genuinely wild individuals will therefore require independent corroboration, such as stable isotype analysis or a ringing recovery. This is the same approach that BOURC takes to other wildfowl on the British List, where there are issues with provenance. However, BOURC felt that the case for potential genuine vagrancy for this species was strong, hence it was decided to move it to Category D, where it will be re-considered periodically, or if new evidence emerges.
Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta
Two records: one, Spalding, Lincolnshire, 11 November 1990 to 1991 (sight record); one, Dungeness, Kent, 30-31 October 2001 (sight record, photographed).
This species remains in Category E.
The identification was established for both records, but the origin was again unclear. There is little conclusive evidence of vagrancy for the species to Western Europe beyond its natural breeding range from the Middle East, through central Asia to central China. In contrast, it is kept widely in captivity in Europe, where it is bred. Thus the balance of evidence strongly suggested a captive origin for both of these records.
Further details of these decisions will be published as part of the BOURC’s 47th report expected to be published in Ibis in October 2017. Upon publication of these decisions, the British List remains at 605 species (Category A = 587; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
30 January 2017
Changes to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) is pleased to announce the addition of the following subspecies to the British List:
‘Caspian’ Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus fuscus
First-calendar-year, Jenny Brown’s Point, Silverdale, Lancashire/Merseyside, 11 December 2011 (found dead, specimen at National Museums Liverpool, accession number LIV.2014.50, DNA analysis).
There have been a number of claims of this subspecies in Britain. Although some of these were trapped, DNA evidence was not obtained to confirm their identity. DNA evidence has been used to confirm a record of this taxon in Europe (Ibis 156: 799-811), and established the sub-specific identity of the Jenny Brown’s Point bird as the first record for Britain.
Breeds in Cyprus, the Middle East, Iran and Afghanistan, east to south-east Kazakhstan and north-west China, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.
‘Iberian’ Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae
Second-calendar-year, male, Filey, Yorkshire, 22 April 2015 (sight record, photographed).
‘Iberian’ Yellow Wagtail has also been claimed to have occurred in Britain before, but without descriptions or photographs that allowed the elimination of intergradation between iberiae and other subspecies in south-west Europe. In the case of the Filey bird, photographic evidence, supported by a transcription of the call, confirmed identity of the record.
Breeds in the Iberian Peninsula and south-west France, and north-west Africa, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Other decisions
American White Ibis Eudocimus albus
First-calendar-year/second-calendar-year, Sevenoaks, Kent, 19 November 2014 to 2 April 2015 (sight record, photographed) and (same) Holland Haven, Essex, 12 May 2015 (sight record, photographed).
This record has been placed in Category E.
The identification was established for this record, but the origin was less clear. There is no evidence for trans-Atlantic vagrancy of the species. In contrast, it is kept widely in captivity in Europe, where it has bred successfully. Thus the balance of evidence suggested a captive origin for this record.
Further details of these decisions will be published as part of the BOURC’s 47th report due to be published in Ibis in January 2018. Upon publication of these decisions, the British List stands at 605 species (Category A = 587; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
20 January 2017
BOU to adopt the IOC World Bird List
The British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) recognises the value of, and is keen to move towards, a standardised global avian taxonomy. As such we wish to adopt one of the current global taxonomies, and use this for all BOU activities, including the British List.
From 1 January 2018 the BOU will adopt the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) World Bird List for all its taxonomic needs, including the British List. This follows a detailed review by the BOU’s Records Committee (BOURC).
Criteria for assessing selection of a taxonomic system
In August 2016 a joint meeting of BOURC and representatives of BOU Council met to draw up the criteria to select a new taxonomy, and agreed to ask the four main global avian taxonomic systems (eBird/Clements, HBW/BirdLife, Howard & Moore and IOC World Bird List) to submit a proposal that could be assessed against the agreed criteria and related questions (provided below).
As a scientific organisation, the BOU needs a global taxonomic system that meets the following criteria:
- Uses a consistent scientific approach to taxonomic decisions including higher level systematics.
- Uses a transparent system in which the scientific rationale for taxonomic decisions is clearly articulated, both in general terms and for individual decisions.
- Is reviewed and updated frequently to keep pace with scientific developments, new studies and new information.
- Is not biased in quality or geographic focus (including when updating the taxonomy) in a manner that results in insufficient attention being given to species that will influence the British list, or inconsistencies to arise between different geographic regions.
- Includes extinct birds (due to creation of category F of the British List).
The focus of our decision is on taxonomic classifications. The selection of a global taxonomic system will thus not be influenced by a taxonomy’s approach towards the choice or spelling of English names as we recognise the binomial name forms the appropriate basis of scientific species lists.
We invite you to submit your classification for our consideration. In doing so, we ask you to answer specifically the 11 questions set out here.
- What is the frequency of reviewing and updating a) the species level taxonomy, and b) systematic decisions at higher taxonomic levels?
- In what format are updates released and how do these highlight changes relative to the previous version?
- Please summarise the scientific approach used to deciding a) taxonomic species limits and b) higher level systematic classifications.
- Summarise the processes that you will use to update species level taxonomy in your next update. In particular, please explain how you obtain new data that is relevant to taxonomic decisions, who is responsible for interpreting these data (including the number of people and their expertise), and the process of reporting decisions and their rationale.
- Does your taxonomy list subspecies? If so what approach is used to define sub-species, and how is new scientific information obtained and incorporated into updates relating to sub-species classification?
- If there is variation in the process of updating species level taxonomies for different geographical regions please explain these differences, and how consistency across regions is ensured.
- What is the process that you will use for updating the taxonomy above the species level in your next update (genera, families etc.)? Please explain how you obtain new data that is relevant to taxonomic decisions, who is responsible for interpreting these data (including the number of people and their expertise), and the process of reporting decisions and their rationale.
- What systems are in place to maintain consistency of taxonomic decisions within and between updates?
- What systems are in place to ensure long-term continuity of maintaining and updating your taxonomy in the mid to long-term future?
- Are there likely to be any changes in your approach in the next five to ten years that will influence responses to any of the above questions? If so, please outline what these changes are/might be.
- Is there a programme of periodic review of the approaches and processes disclosed in your replies to the above questions and, if so, how frequently is or are such review or reviews undertaken?
Process in selecting a new taxonomy
In September 2016 the four recognised taxonomic groups (eBird/Clements, HBW/BirdLife, Howard & Moore and IOC World Bird List) were invited to submit proposals against the above criteria by 31 October. All four groups submitted proposals and these were circulated to members of BOURC and BOU Council.
Initially, the BOU Council appointed a delegation which held a conference call to discuss the merits of each proposal and to arrive at a view on behalf of Council. This delegation reviewed the proposals but did not consider that there was any strong reason to make any recommendation for any of the candidate taxonomies ahead of a full meeting of BOURC.
BOURC subsequently met on 10 December 2016. BOURC invited the members of the Council delegation to attend, of whom two were able to be present. The Council delegates engaged in discussions but had no vote in the process. It was expected a recommendation to BOU Council would be made as a result of the meeting. All members of BOURC, bar one, were present.
Before discussing the taxonomic proposals in detail, the Committee considered two issues raised by those present. First, the need for and benefits of a unified global taxonomy was agreed upon. Second, it was agreed that the EU’s current use of the HBW/BirdLife taxonomy would not be a material factor influencing the Committee’s discussions.
The Howard & Moore proposal was discussed first as this was the only proposal for a taxonomic system which was not currently available online, and the Committee felt that accessibility of the new taxonomy to be adopted was important. With no online version envisaged until the next update (which was said to be some years away), the Committee concluded that this proposal would not be considered further.
In their respective submissions, the IOC World Bird List and eBird/Clements had stated their increasing collaboration, and their agreement that a single global taxonomy was desirable. On the latter point the International Ornithologists’ Union (IOU) has stated that they intend to have a session at IOC2018 in Vancouver, Canada in August 2018 looking at ways to progress to a unified global taxonomy.
This left the Committee with two alternatives: HBW/BirdLife on one side and IOC World Bird List and eBird /Clements on the other.
Arguments were advanced in support of both alternatives, and the BOURC members at the meeting were evenly split between adopting either HBW/BirdLife or the IOC World Bird List. From a show of hands during which the Chair abstained, there were four votes on each side. Each member of the Committee then summarised his or her reasoning, and members were given the opportunity to reconsider their vote.
The outcome remained unchanged, so the Chair used his casting vote to recommend that the BOU adopt the IOC World Bird List.
It was emphasised that this decision was influenced by the expectation of a move towards a more unified global taxonomy, and in that respect the BOU should work with IOU/IOC to ensure that this occurs.
In summarising his reasons for the recommendation the Chair expressed the view that moving to the IOC World Bird List would be the most likely way of achieving a more unified global taxonomy, especially in light of the proposed meeting at IOC2018. He also stated that this move would be more in keeping with the BOU’s previous approach to taxonomy, and in many quarters would have greater scientific credibility.
Members were given a final opportunity to contribute or object before the outcome was accepted.
This decision will be reviewed in 5 years time.
12 December 2016
Changes to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following to Category A of the British List:
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens
First-calendar-year, Dungeness, Kent, 22 September 2015 (photographed, DNA analysis).
The excellent description and photographs of this individual allowed identification. Identification was confirmed by DNA analysis from faecal matter, instead of feather or claw samples, as the bird was not trapped. The species is a potential trans-Atlantic vagrant being a long distance Nearctic migrant. There were no issues of provenance, as it is not known in captivity.
Breeds in eastern North America, wintering in southern Central America and northern South America.
It should be placed after Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe on the British List.
‘Eastern’ Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans cantillans
Second-calendar-year male, Fair Isle, Shetland, 8 May 2014 (photographed, trapped, DNA analysis).
This record established the taxon on the British List. The Subalpine Warbler complex has undergone revision resulting in the need for the reassessment of the new species and subspecies on the British List.
Breeds in southern Italy including Sicily, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila
First-calendar-year male, Papa Westray, Orkney, 19-29 October 2015 (photographed).
This species has had a difficult history on route on to the British List, with all previous records being placed in Category E as the bird was a common import for the captive bird trade, and many escapes occurred. Following the EU bans on bird importation from the Far East in 2005 and 2007, the numbers found in Western Europe dropped. This individual, being a first-calendar-year found in the Northern Isles in autumn, had credentials to indicate that it arrived naturally. The species is a plausible vagrant from the Eastern Palearctic to Europe being a long distance migrant, and follows other accepted records in northern Europe.
Breeds in Siberia, northern Mongolia and north-eastern China, wintering in southern China, south-east Asia and north-east India.
It should be placed after Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola on the British List.
Other decisions
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus
New first record: adult, Eccles-on-Sea, Norfolk 31 October 2004 and East Dean, Hampshire 13 November 2004 (photographed), pre-dates the previously accepted first record of this species, and is therefore accepted as the first British record.
Category D
At the December 2016 BOURC meeting is was decided to revoke the rule in the BOURC Standing Orders whereby records placed in Category D remain in this Category for 15 years and undergo three rounds of review voting, before being placed in either Category A or Category E. This decision was taken to reflect remaining uncertainty about the origin of some species placed in Category E from Category D. Following this decision two species have returned to Category D, Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris and Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki, with immediate effect.
Further details of these decisions will be published as part of the BOURC’s 47th report due to be published in Ibis in January 2018. Upon publication of these decisions, the British List stands at 605 species (Category A = 587; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
4 November 2016
Andrew Harrop appointed Chairman of BOURC
The BOU is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Harrop as Chairman of it’s Records Committee (BOURC).
A lifelong birder and amateur ornithologist, Andrew has served many years on county and national records committees. He has published numerous papers about the identification and status of British birds, was co-author of The Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland, and is author of the forthcoming Rutland Butterfly Atlas. He is returning to BOURC after retiring as secretary in 2013, and now divides his time between Rutland and Shetland.
The BOU’s Records Committee (BOURC) is responsible for maintaining the British List – the official list of wild birds recorded in Great Britain. For more information on the List and the work of BOURC see here.
18 August 2016
Adoption of a global taxonomy
The Council of the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) recognises the value of the global harmonisation of avian taxonomy. Following unsuccessful attempts to seek an agreed European taxonomy it was announced in November 2015 that the BOU would disband its own Taxonomic Sub-committee and review the available global taxonomies with a view to adopt one system for all BOU activities, including the British List (for more information see https://bou.org.uk/british-list/taxonomy).
Notably, moving towards a single international harmonised taxonomy is one of the declared aims of the International Ornithologists’ Union (IOU), with a round table meeting being convened at 27th International Ornithological Congress in Vancouver, Canada in August 2018. However, BOU recognises that it may be many years before this is achieved and would like to harmonise its own taxonomy with a global list more rapidly, rather than waiting for a final global consensus to emerge.
A working group from BOU Council and the BOU Records Committee (BOURC) met in August 2016 to determine the criteria to be considered and the process for selecting which global taxonomy to adopt. Factors to be considered will include the regularity of updates to the taxonomy, and the extent to which the process for decision making is open and transparent, as well as being scientifically valid and consistent. The major current global taxonomies (Bird-Life International/HBW, Clements, IOC, Howard and Moore) will be contacted shortly and invited to provide information relating to these criteria. All of this information will be considered at a joint meeting of BOU Council and BOURC, following which a decision will be made regarding which global taxonomic system will be followed by BOU.
5 July 2016
Changes to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following to Category A of the British List:
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus
First- or second-winter, Hythe and Saltwood, Kent, 17 January to 13 March 2014 (photographed).
On first impression this species may seem an unlikely natural vagrant to Western Europe and, instead, a more likely escape from captive collections. However, Chinese Pond Heron is kept rarely in captivity in Europe, and is a long distance migrant with extra-limital birds previously found both in continental Europe and North America. Thus the balance of evidence pointed very strongly towards the Kent record being a bird that originated from natural populations, and it was unanimously accepted to Category A.
Breeds in the Eastern Palearctic, from north-east India to north-east China and northern Japan, with populations migratory, moving south in winter to peninsular Thailand, Malaysia and Borneo.
It should be placed after Squacco Heron on the British List.
Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus
Adult or near-adult, Rainham, London, and Pitsea and Hanningfield, Essex,
13 January to 26 February 2011 (photographed).
The well-documented record established the identification of this individual. Provenance as a wild bird was not an issue as the species is not kept in captivity, and has been found in Europe before, as have a number of other north Pacific seabirds, including gulls, terns, auks and divers, demonstrating that vagrancy from this part of the world is possible. Thus it was straightforward to accept the species to Category A.
Breeds in the northern Pacific, in northern Japan, eastern Siberia and western Alaska, moving south in winter.
It should be placed after Iceland Gull on the British List.
Other decisions
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki
First-winter male, Stone Creek, Humberside, 16-17 November 1991.
This record has now been placed in Category E following the initial circulation in 1993, and three subsequent reviews, in 1997, 2008 and 2016.
The record had already had three circulations before the occurrence of a wild bird in northern Italy in October 2011. On the basis of the Italian record, the British record was reviewed again this year.
For Category D records, BOURC procedures state a record can be reviewed up to three times in order to establish if the species should be transferred to either Category A or Category E of the British List. The 2016 circulation is the third and final review, and the species is now placed in Category E on the basis that four different memberships of BOURC (over 40 individual members) have been unable to come to a unanimous decision whether this bird originated from wild or captive sources.
The species is a plausible far-eastern Palearctic vagrant to Western Europe being a long distance migrant, and the first-winter age and late autumn occurrence on the English east coast during fall conditions were consistent with such an origin. However, the species (and age class) was imported to western Europe in the early 1990s for the avian bird trade; and subsequent to the ban in the trade of far eastern birds there have been no further British records. Thus the only British record coincided with the known import of the species into western Europe and so BOURC could not confidently determine the origin of the Humberside bird as likely to have been of natural occurrence.
Some observers may be surprised at the length of time and final decision for this record, but BOURC hopes that they will understand the thoroughness of our process.
It is also interesting to compare the initial expectations, and subsequent evidence and outcome for this species in relation to the British List with Chinese Pond Heron, described above.
These decisions will be published as part of the BOURC’s 46th report due to be published in IBIS in January 2017. Upon publication of these decisions, the British List will stand at 603 species (Category A = 585; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
19 May 2016
The BOU is delighted to welcome Dawn Balmer and Andy Stoddart on to its Records Committee (BOURC)
Dawn has been a keen birder since a child, and a trained bird ringer for over 20 years. She lives in Thetford (Norfolk) and enjoys local birding and other wildlife, with regular trips to the coast. She has special interests in migration and gull identification. Dawn has worked for the BTO since 1992 on a wide range of census, fieldwork, ringing and online bird recording projects. She was the Atlas Coordinator for the Bird Atlas 2007–11 project and is now Head of Surveys. Dawn also represents BTO on the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. In her spare time, she is on the Editorial Board of British Birds, a Trustee of the Eric Hosking Charitable Trust and writes regularly for British Wildlife.
Birding has long been a male-dominated world, and Dawn becomes the first woman to be appointed to BOURC.
Andy is a lifelong birdwatcher. He has travelled widely but is most at home on his local patch of Blakeney Point in Norfolk. He has written four books on ornithological and environmental history and is a frequent contributor of papers, articles and book reviews to the birdwatching press. He is Vice-Chair and a former voting member of the British Birds Rarities Committee and Editor of the Norfolk Bird Report.
The BOU’s Records Committee (BOURC) is responsible for maintaining the British List – the official list of wild birds recorded in Great Britain. For more information on the List and the work of BOURC see here.
16 May 2016
Azorean Yellow-legged Gull admitted to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Records Committee (BOURC) is pleased to announce the addition of the following subspecies to the British List.
Azorean Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahelis atlantis
First summer/second winter. Sennen Cove, Cornwall, 28 July to November 2008 (photographed).
A “forensic” description by the finder, and a series of excellent photographs allowed the identification of this individual to be established.
Breeds on northern Atlantic islands including the Azores, Canaries and Madeira.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 46th report due to be published in IBIS in January 2017, and upon publication, the British List will stand at 601 species (Category A = 583; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
9 March 2016
Lesser Canada Goose admitted to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Records Committee (BOURC) is delighted to announce the addition of the 601st species to the British List.
View the British List
Lesser Canada Goose (Cackling Goose) Branta hutchinsii
Adult, Plex Moss, Lancashire, 14-28 November 1976 (photographed).
The taxonomy of the Canada goose species complex has undergone revision, with separation of Greater Canada Goose B. canadensis and Lesser Canada Goose to specific level, with each species proposed to consist of a number of subspecies.
Having considered a number of candidates it was deemed that the Plex Moss, Lancashire individual could be accepted as the first record of B. hutchinsii. The subspecies was undetermined, but probably nominate hutchinsii.
Breeds in northern North America, migrating to winter further south in Canada and the USA.
Lesser Canada Goose should be placed after Greater Canada Goose on the British List.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 46th report due to be published in IBIS in January 2017, and upon publication, the British List will stand at 601 species (Category A = 583; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
Image Credit: Lesser Canada Goose © Rob Lowe/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikimedia Commons
18 February 2016
600th species added to the British List
Yelkouan Shearwater is the 600th bird species to be admitted to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Records Committee (BOURC) is delighted to announce the addition of the 600th species to the British List.
Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan, breeds on islands and coastal cliffs in the Mediterranean Sea (primarily the east). Whilst the majority of the Yelkouan Shearwaters population moves east outside the breeding season to winter in the Black Sea, small numbers (presumably of the western most breeding birds) are known to move west and enter the North Atlantic to find food during the summer and autumn after breeding.
Yelkouan Shearwater seen off Berry Head, Devon, 29 July 2008
This individual, the first positively identified in British waters, was discovered by Mike Langman and Mark Darlaston while surveying for a similar species, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus. Balearic Shearwaters also breed within the Mediterranean Sea, but as their name suggests breed primarily around the Balearic islands and western sea area) and move in to the North Atlantic in summer. They are seen around the shores of the UK and Ireland every year, with largest numbers in the south-west of England and off southern Ireland. Thus the observation of this Yelkouan Shearwater accords with the known pattern of movement of a shearwater species with a similar range.
Yelkouan and Balearic shearwaters are very close in appearance, so it was fortunate that the observers had much experience of the two species, and both species were present on the day to allow direct comparison, photograph and confirm the identification.
We were delighted to hear the Yelkouan Shearwater seen at Berry Head, Devon on 29 July 2008 had finally been accepted as the first for Britain. What has made this even more special was the realisation it was the 600th species for the British list – a truly remarkable milestone and we’re sure neither of us will be here when 700th is added! The identification of the species is far from straightforward and we commend BOURC and BBRC for the thorough process the record went through before arriving at a final decision. We were lucky on the day to see the bird well at fairly close range for a prolonged period (in a seawatching context), in the company of a Balearic Shearwater off the headland. Undoubtedly the photographs we both managed to secure at the time helped the evaluation process together with some detailed observation notes made on the spot.
Mike Langman and Mark DarlastonIt is a testament to over 200 years’ enthusiasm and perseverance of British birders and ornithologists that the national bird list of a small, northern temperate country has reached 600 species. It is also satisfying that this milestone has been reached via an exemplary process of sharp birding, detailed fieldnotes, photographs and research. Yelkouan Shearwater is a fascinating species, and it was both a pleasure and a challenge for the Records Committee to review the identification, migration patterns and vagrancy potential of this species, and its relationship with the critically endangered (and very variable) Balearic Shearwater.
This record also demonstrates the strong links between the two national committees we have overseeing records of rare birds occurring in the UK. Although it is the role of the BOURC alone to add (or remove) species from the British List, the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) plays an important role in this process, particularly on the more challenging taxa such as here.
Martin Collinson, Chairman BOURCAfter several claims and false starts, this enigmatic seabird has finally earned its place on the British List. Like Scopoli’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea, this species was going to require an exceptionally well seen and described bird to be acceptable, and we believe this record has made the grade in all areas. The submission was well supported by detailed notes from well-respected and experienced observers, backed up by photographs that showed all of the requisite features. All of this made the assessment surprisingly straightforward, and the committee accepted it unanimously in a single circulation.
Paul French, Chairman BBRC
View full British List
BOURC reports and papers
More about the British List
British Birds rarities Committee (BBRC)
Image Credit: © Emőke Dénes via WikiMedia Commons
6 November 2015
BOU taxonomic position
For many years the BOU has been seeking to establish a unified European-wide taxonomic model. However, despite the best efforts of our own taxonomic group, little progress has been made, with five separate national taxonomic groups (including our own) not being able to reach a consensus via the Association of European Records and Rarities Committees (AERC) since its establishment in 1991.
With no resolution in sight, BOU Council feels that the continued existence of national groups, each understandably feeling an obligation to retain control of the taxonomy used for their own national lists, is not in the best interests of ornithology and is a barrier preventing the establishment of a unified European taxonomy.
With a view to resolving this issue, the BOU has therefore disbanded its own Taxonomic Sub-committee and we will now take time to review the available global taxonomies with a view to adopting one system for all BOU activities, including The British List. This decision does not imply any criticism of the excellent work carried out by the BOU’s Taxonomic Sub-committee over the years, but is a reflection of the importance that BOU Council places on establishing a unified European avian taxonomy.
7 September 2015
Changes to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following subspecies on to the British List:
‘Thayer’s Gull’ Larus glaucoides thayeri
Adult, Pitsea Landfill Site, Essex, 6 November 2010 (photographed).
A series of excellent photographs allowed the identification of this individual to be established.
Breeds in northern Canada, wintering on the west coast of North America.
‘Daurian Shrike’ Lanius isabellinus isabellinus
A record of an adult on Fetlar, Shetland, 14-17 September 2002 (photographed).
Though the species Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus is currently in Category A, a record to establish the nominate subspecies isabellinus was required. A number of candidates were considered with this individual most robustly fulfilling identification criteria.
Breeds in central and eastern Asia, wintering in the Middle East, North-east Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
Other decisions
Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris
A review of the categorization (currently Category D) of this species has been completed, and due to the ongoing high possibility of escape, the species has been moved to Category E.
The Committee encourages submissions of records of this species in the future, particularly of records where a ringing recovery or stable isotope analysis could establish wild origin.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 45th report due to be published in the January 2016 issue of IBIS.
Upon publication of these decisions in IBIS, the British List will remain at 598 species (Category A = 580; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
3 June 2015
Meet some of the people behind the BOU and IBIS
We thought it time the BOU and IBIS was a little less anonymous.
Just who does what here? And why are they members in the first place? Meet some of the them here.
5 April 2015
#BOU2015 Avian Tracking conference
#BOU2015 was our largest annual conference ever with over 200 delegates enjoying a packed programme of talks, posters, talking posters, stands, shops and displays. And loads of technology on screen and on display!
#BOU2015: an early-career researcher perspective
Some images and views from #BOU2015
Tom Evans’ (Lund University) fabulous #Storify summary of #BOU2015 in tweet form!
John Croxall presented with the BOU’s Union Medal
Sarah Wanless presented with the BOU’s Gadman Salvin Medal
Overall rating of #BOU2015 by delegates
(RED – ordinary delegate, BLUE – early-career researcher)
How delegates rated #BOU2015 for value for money
Would #BOU2015 delegates recommend a BOU conference to others? We think they would!
16 March 2015
THE IBIS APP
IBIS on the go, wherever you are, whenever you want it.
The new IBIS app, for iPhone and iPad, brings you a new browsing and reading experience for IBIS. It delivers the same stimulating, informative mixture of Articles, Highlights, Editorials, and more, that you currently enjoy from your desktop or laptop, in a user-friendly mobile version for your iPhone or iPad, wherever you are, whenever you want to access it.
Download from iTunes and connect using your existing personal or institutional subscription, or buy a subscription when you download.
An Andriod version is currently being developed.
Screenshots
15 December 2014
A MURDER OF CROWS?
They steal, raid nests, and keep the company of witches. But the unpopular crow may not be as big a menace as people think.
Linked IBIS paper
A review of the impact of corvids on bird productivity and abundance. Madden, C.F., Arroyo, B. & Amar, A. Ibis. doi: 10.1111/ibi.12223 View paper
A new study, published today in the BOU’s journal IBIS, has found that crows – along with their avian cousins the magpie and the raven – have surprisingly little impact on the abundance of other bird species.
Collectively known as corvids, these birds are in fact being menaced by mankind in the mistaken belief that removing them is good for conservation. This new study found that in the vast majority of cases (82%), corvids had no impact at all on their potential prey species.
“Many nature lovers have been distressed to witness a crow or magpie raiding the nests of their beloved garden songbirds, stealing their eggs or eating their defenceless chicks,” said study co-author Dr Arjun Amar from the Percy FitzPatrick Institute for Ornithology. “Although this predation is entirely natural, these observations can be upsetting to witness and often leave people wondering if these predators might be reducing bird numbers.”
“However, our global review suggests that we should be cautious before jumping to conclusions over the impacts these species may have. Just because a predator eats something occasionally does not always mean that they have an impact,” Dr Amar said.
The study, the first of its kind, reviewed all published evidence on whether predation by corvids actually reduces the overall breeding performance of birds or, more importantly from a conservation perspective, reduces their numbers. Data were collated from 42 studies of corvid predation conducted across the globe over the last 60 years.
Not only were corvids unlikely to have any impact on their potential prey species, if there was an impact it most often affected the breeding success of the prey species rather than their subsequent numbers. Half of cases found that corvids reduced breeding success whereas less than 10% of cases found that they reduced prey numbers in the long term.
“These results have big implications for the likely benefits of corvid control,” Dr Amar said. “They suggest that killing corvids will be of most benefit to those interested in gamebird shooting rather than conservationists.” He added: “Bird hunters are usually most interested in increasing numbers of birds available to shoot immediately after the breeding season and this appears to be where corvids have most impact”. “Conservationists on the other hand, are usually interested in increasing a species population size and our results suggest that only in a very few cases did corvids have an influence on this aspect of their prey,” Dr Amar said.
The review analysed the impact of six corvid species on a variety of prey species including gamebirds, songbirds, waders, herons, cranes, sea birds, waterfowl and raptors. The 42 studies incorporated into the review included 326 cases of corvid – bird prey interaction Most of the data stemmed from field research in the UK, France and the United States. The impacts were determined partly by comparing bird counts before and after corvids were either removed or their numbers reduced.
The review also found large differences between the impacts of crows, historically considered the most ‘cunning’ corvid, and magpies which are sometimes killed by home owners hoping to protect songbirds in their gardens. Crow species were six times more likely to have an impact on bird prey species than Magpies.
Mistaken assumptions about corvid predation were possibly explained by the birds’ diurnal nature and the fact that they are conspicuous nest predators: “Their importance in prey population regulation is often assumed prior to any assessment of the evidence,” the study warned.
Chrissie Madden, the lead author on the paper, hoped that the review would challenge the perception that all corvids were bad, thereby preventing needless killing: “Our results suggest that this is a mistaken belief and that generally speaking people would be wasting their time killing corvids to increase bird numbers”.
“Overall therefore, our study points to the fact that we are often too quick to jump to the conclusion that crows and magpies may be the cause of bird population declines,” she said.
xxx
- IBIS is a peer reviewed scientific journal published by the British Ornithologists’ Union. It has been published continuously since 1859 and is one of the highest ranked international Ornithology journals in the world View journal
- Dr Arjun Amar is a Senior Lecturer at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute and was the lead supervisor of this research project. Dr Amar has previously worked for both the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK BirdLife partner), the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (UK NGO), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, where he worked on a critically endangered species of crow (the Mariana Crow on the Pacific island of Rota, CNMI). View profile Email
- The Percy FitzPatrick Institute for African Ornithology is a research institute situated in the Biological Sciences Department of Cape Town University. It is one of the world’s leading ornithological research institutes and is a South African Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence.
- Chrissie Madden is the lead author of the paper. The research was undertaken as part of her Conservation Biology Masters research at the University of Cape Town.
- The full paper is freely available via open access.The full reference for the paper is: Madden, C.F., Arroyo, B. & Amar, A. (in press) A review of the impact of corvids on bird productivity and abundance. Ibis. doi: 10.1111/ibi.12223 View paper
21 November 2014
Taxonomic changes to Western Palearctic birds
In the January issue of the BOU’s journal Ibis, the BOU Records Committee’s Taxonomic-subcommittee present their latest taxonomic recommendations for Western Palearctic birds.
The items are summarised below, but for full details of each item please see the full paper. View paper (free to view from 24 Nov) (Sangster et al. 2014).
Newly recognized species
The status of species on the British List is indicated by their category (e.g. Category A).
Ostrich Struthio camelus to be treated as two species:
• Common Ostrich Struthio camelus (recorded in the Western Palearctic)
• Somali Ostrich Struthio molybdophanes (extralimital)
Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta to be treated as three species:
• Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta (recorded in the Western Palearctic)
• Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita (extralimital)
• Salvin’s Albatross Thalassarche salvini (extralimital)
Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris to be treated as two species:
• Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris (recorded in the Western Palearctic)
• Caspian Tit Poecile hyrcana (recorded in the Western Palearctic)
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tenellipes to be treated as two species:
• Pale-legged Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tenellipes (extralimital)
• Sakhalin Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus borealoides (extralimital)
(A warbler photographed at Southwell, Portland, Dorset, on 22 October 2012 has been accepted by BOURC as either Phylloscopus tenellipes or P. borealoides)
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans to be treated as two species:
• Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans (Category A)
• Moltoni’s Warbler Sylvia subalpina (Category A)
Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens to be treated as three species:
• Eastern Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens (recorded in the Western Palearctic)
• Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides (extralimital)
• Abyssinian Wheatear Oenanthe lugubris (extralimital)
Italian Sparrow Passer italiae
Italian Sparrow is now recognised as a full species (of hybrid origin), distinct from both House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis. Italian Sparrow is endemic to the Western Palearctic.
New superfamily
Penduline tits (Remizidae) and tits (Paridae) are removed from Sylvioidea and placed in their own superfamily, Paroidea, based on new information about their evolutionary relationships.
Taxonomic sequence
The taxonomic sequence of the species of larks (Alaudidae) and accentors (Prunellidae) is revised based on new insights into their evolutionary relationships.
Generic changes
Note the new generic names.
White-winged Lark Alauda leucoptera (Category A)
Lesser Short-toed Lark Alaudala rufescens (Category A)
Reference
Sangster, G., Collinson, M., Crochet, P.-A., Kirwan, G.M., Knox, A.G., Parkin, D.T. & Votier, S.C. 2014. Taxonomic recommendations for Western Palearctic birds: 10th Report. Ibis DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12221.
10 September 2014
Changes to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following to Category A of the British List:
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum
Nanjizal, Cornwall, 8-9 October 2008 (trapped, photographed).
This Nearctic species, breeding in North America and wintering in South America, was previously one of a subspecies pair of Traill’s Flycatcher. Both have been elevated to full specific status as Alder Flycatcher and Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii, based mainly on differences in song and call, but with some subtle plumage differences.
This created a challenge for BOURC when establishing the identity of this individual, despite it being trapped and biometrics being available, as no definitive calls were heard. The record required two circulations, before Willow Flycatcher could be eliminated and identification confirmed.
It should be placed after Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe on the British List.
Eastern Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia straminea/mongolica
Fair Isle, 20 September 2012 (trapped, photographed, DNA analysis).
The individual could not be definitively assigned to subspecies, and so was accepted as being one of the two taxa straminea or mongolica.
L. n. straminea breeds in western Siberia to western China, wintering in the Indian subcontinent. L. n. mongolica breeds Kazakhstan to Afghanistan and western Mongolia, wintering in the Indian subcontinent.
Eastern Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides/xerophilus/rufiventris
Dungeness, Kent, 7 November 1981 (trapped, photographed).
Breeds in central and eastern Asia, from the Tian Shan to Mongolia.
‘Stejneger’s’ Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus stejnegeri
Portland Bill, Dorset, 24-26 October 2012 (trapped, photographed, DNA analysis).
Breeds in the northern and central Asia.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 43rd report due to be published in Ibis in January 2015.
Upon publication of these decisions in Ibis, the British List will stand at 597 species (Category A = 579; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
28 August 2014
Top read articles in #TheBOUblog
#TheBOUblog has been running for two years and we thought we’d look at what our readers are reading the most. Our top ten most read blog posts makes for very interesting reading in itself!
#1 | Hen Harriers: going, going . . .
Arjun Amar | Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, South Africa
#2 | Building an online ornithological community
Steve Dudley | BOU
#3 | What have conservation scientists ever done for birds?
Jen Smart | RSPB
#4 | Yellowhammer dialects | Part 1 | Part 2
Pavel Pipek, Lucie Diblíkov├í, Adam Petrusek & Tereza Petruskov├í | Charles University, Czech Republic
#5 | Dynamic Soaring | Part 1 | Part 2
Part 1 | Colin Taylor | Retired pilot
Part 2 | Philip L Richardson | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
#6 | What do we know about the effect of disease on Turtle Doves?
Stephanie Morren | RSPB
#7 | Ornithological Twitterati, Tweetie-pies and #birdieluv
Steve Dudley | BOU
#8 | EU Common Agricultural Policy Reform
Christina Ieronymidou | BirdLife
#9 | What is Altmetric?
Steve Dudley | BOU
#10 | Where eagles ‘once’ dared
Derek Yalden
Look out for similar articles in coming weeks and months. These will include articles from recently published IBIS journal papers including the bizarre Hooded Plover moult strategy and the amazing migration story of Scottish Red-necked Phalaropes.
6 December 2013
Andy Musgrove joins BOURC
The BOU is pleased to announce that Andy Musgrove is joining the BOU’s Records Committee.
Andy has been a keen birder (and general naturalist) for 30 years. Since 1996 he has worked at the BTO where he currently heads the Monitoring Team. He was the lead author of the latest set of Avian Population Estimates. As well as oversight of the core monitoring schemes, he is particularly involved in the development of online biological recording databases, notably BirdTrack. Outside work, he is joint founder of the popular birding website BUBO Listing, whilst in his spare time he tries to get out hunting for wildlife of every kind. During 2013, in his home 1 km square in Norfolk he has so far discovered 1,331 species.
Photo courtesy of BTO
5 December 2013
Slender-billed Curlew
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has removed Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris from the British List.
Following a review by both BOURC and the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), the identification of the bird seen at Druridge Bay, Northumberland, 4-7 May 1998 (sight record, photographed, video) (Br. Birds 95: 272-278 & 279-299) is no longer considered as proven.
Although the bird exhibited characters that would previously have been considered diagnostic for Slender-billed Curlew, both BOURC and BBRC were not convinced that the identification was sufficiently secure to stand as the only British record of this critically endangered, and probably now extinct, species.
The conclusion was not unanimous in either BBRC or BOURC’s deliberations. BBRC require a majority vote against to overturn a previously accepted record and BOURC only require one vote against the proposed identification. There was also no clear consensus between those voting members who had seen the bird and those who had not, with votes in favour of, and against, continued acceptance in both cases.
We are extremely grateful to all the observers who provided field descriptions, photographic images and video footage. The digital file for this record extends to nearly 7GB and represents the largest collection of material relating to a rarity ever considered by committee members. We recognise that this decision will be a disappointment to many of those involved in documenting the record. The conclusion of the review should not however be taken as a negative reflection on the field skills or judgement of the observers.
A manuscript on behalf of both committees explaining this decision more fully is in preparation.
This decision will be included as part of the BOURC’s 42nd report due to be published in Ibis in January 2014.
Related links
BirdLife – Slender-billed Curlew
Slender-billed Curlew Working Group
13 September 2013
Rebecca Kimball appointed as an Editor of Ibis
We are very pleased to announce that Rebecca Kimball, Associate Professor at the University of Florida Affiliate and Associate Professor with the Florida Museum of Natural History, will be joining the Ibis editorial team from 1 October 2013.
Rebecca received a PhD from the University of New Mexico, where her dissertation focused on sexual selection in House Sparrows. After completing postdoctoral work at both the University of New Mexico and The Ohio State University, she became a faculty member at the University of Florida in 2001, where she is now an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Biology and an Affiliate Associate Professor with the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Rebecca has published over 60 scientific papers in the areas of evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology. Within these broad areas, she has several specific areas of interest: avian phylogenetics, where she has focused on reconstructing the evolutionary history among all birds as well as in specific orders; the evolution of male secondary sexual traits; the genetic and physiological mechanisms that underlie evolutionary change in specific traits; mating and social systems within and among species; as well as population genetics.
10 September 2013
Changes to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the following to Category A of the British List:
White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi
Second calendar year male M. d. deglandi, Blackdog, North-east Scotland, 11-23 June 2011 (photographed).
The species breeds in Alaska and Canada, east to Hudson Bay.
White-winged Scoter should be placed after Velvet Scoter on the British List.
‘Asian’ Red-rumped Swallow Crecopis daurica daurica/japonica
One individual, Sanday, Orkney, 9 June 2011 (photographed); same, Talisker Bay, Skye, 17 (sight record) and 29 June (photographed).
The individual could not be definitively assigned to subspecies. C. d. daurica breeds in northeast Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Amurland, northern and central China. C. d. japonica breeds in south, east and northeast China, Korea and Japan.
Further details will be published as part of the BOURC’s 41st report due to be published in Ibis in January 2014.
The British List now stands at 597 species
(Category A = 579; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).
4 September 2013
BOU @ EOU2013UK
As well as being one of the co-hosts and organisers for the 9th European Ornithologists’ Conference – EOU2013UK – held at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, we also had an active presence at the conference including two key elements for students and early-career researchers.
Image credit
Dwarf Ibis © Muchaxo | CC-BY-SA-2.0 via Wikimedia Commons