Tweeters,

Exciting news just posted on the American Birding Association website that
effective immediately, the ABA listing area now includes Polynesia,
Micronesia, and Melanesia. I couldn't agree more with the ABA that this
represents "the next logical move after the recent addition of Hawaii to
the ABA checklist area".

Reasons cited for extending the ABA area to most of the Pacific islands
include the fact that this region includes part of the United States (Guam
and the Northern Mariana Islands), and a large number of threatened and
endangered species and island endemics. Having these species within the ABA
listing area will help these taxa get recognized for targeted conservation
efforts. In addition, many of these other Pacific islands share some
biogeographic affinities to some Hawaiian bird taxa, so the addition also
"makes perfect biological sense".

On a personal level, I'm looking forward to someday adding birds from Papua
New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Fiji to my ABA list. And the Tuamotu
Sandpiper!

A few other details about the change:

1) The ABA is currently considering tweaks to the Big Day rules to pre-empt
issues associated with crossing the international date line during big days.

2) Because a large number of difficult-to-access species are being added,
all birds that average at least one record per year on the North American
continent will be reduced to Code 1 status.

3) This addition represents lots of new species which is great for birders,
but significantly more overhead for the ABA in maintaining its checklist,
list of exotics, etc. To this end, the ABA has announced a special
partnership with Boeing and the American Airlines alliance, who are
co-sponsoring the changes. Furthermore, to offset carbon emissions
associated with birders flying to various islands in the South Pacific, the
co-sponsors will be emailing a $5 e-coupon redeemable at any local farmer's
market with each flight confirmation if you enter the special birder offer
code "GREENBUL" during checkout.

Exciting changes!

Dave Slager
Seattle, WA
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