Subject: THE STORK!and Minot, ND
Date: Sep 22 09:53:02 1999
From: Greg Toffic - greg.toffic at zoo.org


Jerry and Sandy,
You asked...

>Speaking of "legal", can we say "innocent until proven guilty" Has it be proven
>beyond reasonable doubt that the bird is an escapee?

I don't think there is any question that this bird is one of two (perhaps more?) that escaped last year from a private aviculturist who now lives in Newcastle.

>Who made these rules? A bird is a bird and if you saw it, you saw it. If you do
>or don't count it is up to you. I don't think there is a "List Patrol" :-))

The American Birding Association has made a set of rules, so that their thousands of members can apply consistent guidelines to compile their lists, which are published annually. See their home page

http://www.americanbirding.org/

They also have a rule for counting introduced species. I believe a viable, self sustaining population must be present for ten years before you may count a bird, per ABA.

Additionally, state checklist committees review and categorize reports of rarities, passing judgement on the validity of sightings.

Greg Toffic
Everett