Hi all -

Saturday, November 14, 2020, the Washington Bird Records Committee met via Zoom for its annual meeting. Here's a summary of our results.
54 reports were accepted as valid new records.
2 additional records were accepted as continuing sightings of a record previously accepted at an earlier meeting.
24 reports were not accepted.

The WBRC accepted three species new to the state list: Northern Giant-Petrel, Nazca Booby and Scarlet Tanager.

Northwestern Crow was removed from the state list after being lumped with American Crow.

This brings the official Washington State Checklist to 520 species, including 507 species fully accredited (supported by specimen, photograph, or recording) and 13 species which are sight-only records (supported only by written documentation).


Review list:
One species and two subspecies groups were removed from the review list:

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -; With breeding confirmed in the state and total records well above the normal standard of 20 records in the past decade, the committee felt the overall pattern of occurrence is established. The subspecies identification and distribution is still of interest, but can be studied via eBird documentation.

Interior Bushtit -; The committee will look at patterns of occurrence along the south-central border before determining if this subspecies group is unusual enough to merit reviewing.

Thick-billed Fox Sparrow -; After documenting several examples of this subspecies on breeding territory, the committee felt the overall pattern of occurrence is established.


One species was added to the review list, representing a recognition that sightings in Washington have remained infrequent enough to warrant continued collection of documentation:

White-tailed Kite -; Recent sightings over the past decade indicate this species has become very unusual in the state and merits addition to the review list.


The committee declined to review records of the "Eastern" Downy Woodpecker subspecies group. Ambiguous evaluation criteria for this subspecies group makes evaluation of any individual report difficult.


Key:
Votes in parentheses (# accepted -; # not accepted -; # abstain)
[Notations: p=photo, v = video, a = audio, s = sketch]



ACCEPTED RECORDS:

WWDO-2020-1, White-winged Dove - 8-13 Apr 2020, Central Ferry HMU, Whitman County. RJ Baltierra [w, p], Michael Woodruff [w, p] (7-0-0).

UPSA-2020-1, Upland Sandpiper - 11 Sep 2020, Toledo, Lewis County. Dianne Fairley Inmon [w, p] (6-0-1).

UPSA-2020-2, Upland Sandpiper - 5-6 Oct 2020, Damon Point, Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County. Will Brooks [w, p], Jordan Gunn [w, p] (7-0-0).

HUGO-1987-1, Hudsonian Godwit - 8 Jun 1987, Yakima River Delta, Benton County. Bob Woodley [fide Nancy LaFramboise] (7-0-0).

CUSA-2020-1, Curlew Sandpiper - 31 Aug 2020, Perch Point, Potholes Reservoir, Grant County. Matt Yawney [w, p] (7-0-0).


GUMU-2020-1, Guadalupe Murrelet (2) - 27 Sep 2020, 46.872, -124.678, Grays Harbor County. Ryan Merrill [w, p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee treated the two pairs seen on the same day as separate records, likely of separate pairs.


GUMU-2020-2, Guadalupe Murrelet (2) - 27 Sep 2020, 46.9, -124.733, Grays Harbor County. Ryan Merrill [w, p], Sam Fason [p], Andrew Spencer [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee treated the two pairs seen on the same day as separate records, likely of separate pairs.

BTGU-2019-1, Black-tailed Gull - 17 Oct 2019, Point Hudson, Port Townsend, Jefferson County. Andy Bridges [p] (7-0-0).

LETE-2020-1, Least Tern - 1 Jun 2020, Union Bay, Seattle, King County. Sam Fason [w, p], Michael Hobbs [w], Louis Kreemer [w, p], Dave Slager [w], John Puschock [p] (7-0-0).

WISP-2020-1, Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 5 Sep 2020, 23 nm off Westport, inner edge Grays Canyon, 46.905, -124.536, Grays Harbor County. Cara Borre [w], G. Scott Mills [w, p], Bill Shelmerdine [w], RJ Baltierra [p], Jordan Roderick [p], Patrick Van Thull [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: First record of WISP supported by photo documentation.

NOGP-2019-1, Northern Giant-Petrel - 8 Dec 2019, 46.530, -124.536, Pacific County. Zed Blue [p] (6-1-0). NOTE: State first record.

WTSH-2020-1, Wedge-tailed Shearwater - 24 Aug 2020, Buckeye Shoal (48.629, -122.722), Skagit County. Amanda Colbert [w, p] (7-0-0). NOTE: First live observation of WTSH in state.

NABO-2020-1, Nazca Booby - 14 Aug 2020, Puget Sound, Golden Gardens, Alki, Golden Gardens, Richmond Beach, King, Kitsap and Snohomish counties. Ryan J Merrill [w, p], Dave Slager [w], Sam Terry [w, p, v], Pam Cahn [w] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record. Photo and video documentation was conclusive only to the level of Nazca/Masked Booby.

SNEG-2020-2, Snowy Egret - 19-20 Sep 2020, Shilapoo Lake, Vancouver, Clark County. Christy Kuhlman [w, p] (7-0-0).

CAEG-2019-3, Cattle Egret - 24 Oct 2019, Marymoor Park, Redmond, King County. Eric Crockett [w, p] (6-1-0).

EAPH-2020-1, Eastern Phoebe - 16-17 May 2020, Martin Road, Skagit County. Gary Bletsch [w, p, v], Adrian Lee [w, p], Ryan J. Merrill [w, p, v] (7-0-0).

EAPH-2020-2, Eastern Phoebe - 26 May - 11 Jul 2020, Elk-Camden Rd., Elk, Spokane County. Curtis Mahon [w, p, a], Michael Woodruff [w, p], Terry Little [p] (7-0-0).

YTVI-2020-1, Yellow-throated Vireo - 6 Sep 2020, Craig Road and McFarlane Road, Airway Heights, Spokane County. Jim Patten [w, p] (7-0-0).

BGGN-2019-4, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 8-22 Nov 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Michael Hobbs [w], Ryan Merrill [a], Kenneth Trease [p], Brad Waggoner [p] (ID: 7-0-0, Subspecies: Eastern = 7).

BGGN-2020-2, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 24 Jul 2020, Fort Simcoe, Yakima County. Andy Stepniewski [w] (ID: 7-0-0, Subspecies: subspecies not determined = 7).

BGGN-2020-3, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 Aug and 21 Sep 2020, 45.817, -121.090, Wahkiacus, Klickitat County. Ken Pitts [w, p] (ID: 7-0-0, Subspecies: Western = 7). NOTE: The committee voted to treat the sightings from different dates as a single record of a continuing bird.

BGGN-2020-4, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 4 Aug 2020, High Prairie Community Center, Klickitat County. Samuel Holman [w] (ID: 7-0-0, Subspecies: Western = 6, subspecies not determined = 1).

BGGN-2020-5, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 11-13 Sep 2020, West Seattle, King County. Sam Fason [w, p], Nadine Drisseq [p], Ryan J Merrill [p, a], Patrick Van Thull [p], Jason Vassallo [p, a], (ID: 7-0- 0, Subspecies: Eastern = 7).

NOWH-2020-1, Northern Wheatear - 24-27 Aug 2020, Damon Point, Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County. Randy Hill [w, p], Barry McKenzie [w, p], Stefan Schlick [w, p] (7-0-0).

BRTH-2020-1, Brown Thrasher - 22 Jun 2020, Upper Tule Canyon - Willow Creek bed, Klickitat County. Samuel Holman [w] (6-1-0).

LARB-2020-1, Lark Bunting - 1 May 2020, Lower River Road, Vancouver, Clark County. Jim Danzenbaker [w], Bob Flores [w, p], Cindy McCormack [w], Nick Mrvelj [p] (7-0-0).

LARB-2020-2, Lark Bunting - 25 Sep 2020, Wylie Slough, Skagit Wildlife Area, Skagit County. Gary Bletsch [w] (7-0-0).

TBFS-2019-1, Thick-billed Fox Sparrow - 24 Jul 2019, Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve, Trout Lake, Klickitat County. Samuel Holman [w] (7-0-0).

TBFS-2020-1, Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (5) - 9 & 24 May 2020, Simcoe Mountain, Klickitat County. Samuel Holman [w, p, a], Bill Tweit [w] (7-0-0).

TBFS-2020-2, Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (2) - 21 Jun and 11 Jul 2020, Mt. St. Helens -; Meta Lake, Skamania County. Jim Danzenbaker [w], Shawneen Finnegan [w], Randy Hill [w], John Bishop [a], David Irons [p, a] (7-0-0). NOTE: The five sightings on same day (11 Jul) were treated separately because they appeared to be on territory.

TBFS-2020-3, Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (1) - 11 Jul 2020, Gifford Pinchot NF, Cougar 46.308, -122.080, Skamania County. Jim Danzenbaker [w], Shawneen Finnegan [w], Randy Hill [w], David Irons [w] (6-1-0). NOTE: The five sightings on same day (11 Jul) were treated separately because they appeared to be on territory.

TBFS-2020-4, Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (1) - 11 Jul 2020, Gifford Pinchot NF, Cougar 46.324, -122.074, Skamania County. Shawneen Finnegan [w], David Irons [w] (6-1-0). NOTE: The five sightings on same day (11 Jul) were treated separately because they appeared to be on territory.

TBFS-2020-5, Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (3) - 11 Jul 2020, 46.272, -122.111, Skamania County. Jim Danzenbaker [w], Shawneen Finnegan [w], Randy Hill [w], David Irons [w] (6-1-0). NOTE: The five sightings on same day (11 Jul) were treated separately because they appeared to be on territory.

TBFS-2020-6, Thick-billed Fox Sparrow (2) - 11 Jul 2020, Mt. St. Helens -; Windy Ridge Observatory, Skamania County. Jim Danzenbaker [w], Randy Hill [w] (6-1-0). NOTE: The five sightings on same day (11 Jul) were treated separately because they appeared to be on territory.

OROR-2019-1, Orchard Oriole - 22-23 Sep 2019, Neah Bay in town, Clallam County. Ryan J. Merrill [w, p], Brad Waggoner [w, p], RJ Baltierra [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The six sightings in Neah Bay in 2019 were treated as separate individuals after studying plumage differences and timing of sightings.

OROR-2019-2, Orchard Oriole - 22 Sep 2019, Baadah Loop, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Doug Schurman [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The six sightings in Neah Bay in 2019 were treated as separate individuals after studying plumage differences and timing of sightings.

OROR-2019-3, Orchard Oriole - 19-25 Oct 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Ryan J Merrill [w, p], Brad Waggoner [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The six sightings in Neah Bay in 2019 were treated as separate individuals after studying plumage differences and timing of sightings.

OROR-2019-4, Orchard Oriole - 30 Oct 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Brad Waggoner [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The six sightings in Neah Bay in 2019 were treated as separate individuals after studying plumage differences and timing of sightings.

OROR-2019-5, Orchard Oriole - 11 Nov 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Michael Hobbs [w], Brad Waggoner [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The six sightings in Neah Bay in 2019 were treated as separate individuals after studying plumage differences and timing of sightings.

OROR-2019-6, Orchard Oriole - 12-24 Nov 2019, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Will Brooks [p], David Fraser [p], Tracee Geenaert [p], Bruce LaBar [p], Jordan Roderick [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The six sightings in Neah Bay in 2019 were treated as separate individuals after studying plumage differences and timing of sightings.

BAOR-2020-1, Baltimore Oriole - 16 Jul 2020, Grande Ronde Pond, Asotin County. Alec Hopping [p] (7-0-0).

BAOR-2020-2, Baltimore Oriole - 4 May 2020, Ravenna Park, Seattle, King County. Deena Heg [p] (7-0-0).

GTGR-2020-2, Great-tailed Grackle - 2 Jul 2020, Para Ponds, Othello, Adams County. Dalton Spencer [w, p] (7-0-0).

OVEN-2020-1, Ovenbird - 6 Jun 2020, Zangle Rd., Olympia, Thurston County. Bill Shelmerdine [w], Emily Teachout [w, a] (7-0-0).

NOPA-2020-1, Northern Parula - 26-27 May 2020, Horn Rapids Park, Benton County. Jason Fidorra [w, p], Doug Gruba [w], Lisa Hill [w, a], Rowan Young-McMurchie [w], Mark Young-McMurchie [p], Larry Umthum [p] (7-0-0).

NOPA-2020-2, Northern Parula - 11 Jun 2020, Union Bay Natural Area, Seattle, King County. Jeff Bryant [w, p], Louis Kreemer [w, p], John Puschock [p] (7-0-0).

NOPA-2020-3, Northern Parula - 22 Jun 2020, Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, King County. Alan Grenon [w] (7-0-0).

BTBW-2020-1, Black-throated Blue Warbler - 8-12 Oct 2020, Eagle Creek Rd., Near Leavenworth, Chelan County. Bill & Nancy LaFramboise [w, p], Steven Dammer [p], Mark Johnston [p] (7-0-0).

BTBW-2020-2, Black-throated Blue Warbler - 12 Oct 2020, Lake Sammamish SP, Issaquah, King County. Ken Grant [w], Carl Haynie [w, p], Sam Fason [p], Marcus Hibpshman [p], Rick Hibpshman [p], John Puschock [p] (7-0-0).

SCTA-2020-1, Scarlet Tanager - 5 Jun 2020, Shawnee Lane, Camano Island, Island County. Julie Conzelann [w, p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record.

RBGR-2004-3, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2 Jun 2004, Westridge Rd., Port Angeles, Clallam County. Roger Hoffman (6-0-1).

INBU-2020-1, Indigo Bunting - 24-27 May 2020, Sauk Prairie Rd., Skagit County. Adrian Lee [w, p], Maxine Reid [p] (7-0-0).

INBU-2020-2, Indigo Bunting - 11 Jun - 16 Jul 2020, Marymoor Park, Redmond, King County. Matt Bartels [w, a], John Puschock [a], Jordan Roderick [p], Kazuto Shibata [p] (6-0-1).

INBU-2020-3, Indigo Bunting - 19 Jun 2020, Pearrygin SP, Withrop, Okanogan County. Jeff Osmundson [w] (6-0-1).


RECORDS ACCEPTED AS CONTINUING SIGHTINGS OF PREVIOUSLY-ACCEPTED RECORDS:

Slaty-backed Gull in Eastern Washington: The committee agreed that the December 2019 -; January 2020 record of a Slaty-backed Gull in Walla Walla, Benton and Franklin counties (formerly treated as SBGU-2019-3) is best treated as a returning instance of SBGU-2016-1, the prior sighting of this species in the area the previous four winters. The two records are merged and treated as SBGU-2016-1.

Dates and observation info for Dec 2019 -; Jan 2020 occurrence:
Slaty-backed Gull - 16 Dec 2019 - 11 Jan 2020, Lower Monumental Dam, then tri-cities, Walla Walla, Benton, Franklin counties. Mike & Merry Lynn Denny [w, p], John Bishop [p], Elke Davis [p], Jason Fidorra [p] (7-0-0).

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Wahkiakus, Klickitat County: The committee agreed that the 2020 sighting of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers at this location (formerly treated as BGGN-2020-1) is best treated as a returning instance of a breeding group of the Western subspecies, BGGN-2018-3. In addition, the 2019 sighting from this area (formerly treated as BGGN-2019-2) is also merged into this single record. This site represents the first confirmed breeding sight for Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in Washington state.

Dates and observation info for 2020 occurrence:
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2) - 9 May - 1 Jun 2020, NW of Wahkiakus [45.869, -121.049], Klickitat County. Mary McCallum [w, p] (6-0-1).


REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED:

GARG-2020-1, Garganey - 9-10 Sep 2020, County Line Ponds, Grant County (0-6-1).

CGDO-2020-1, Common Ground Dove - 18 May 2020, Tenino, Thurston County (0-7-0).

YBCU-2019-1, Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 25 Jun 2019, Little Pend Oreille NWR, Stevens County (0-7-0).

RIHU-2020-1, Rivoli's Hummingbird - 23 Jun 2020, Chumstick Highway, Chelan County (0-7-0).

LTST-2020-1, Long-toed Stint - 6 Sep 2020, Crockett Lake, Whidbey Island, Island County (0-5-2).

BHGU-1992-1, Black-headed Gull - 5 Feb 1992, Lopez Island Ferry Terminal, San Juan County (4-3-0).

SBGU-1996-1, Slaty-backed Gull - 3 Mar 1996, Nisqually Cut-off Rd., Thurston County (0-7-0).

SBGU-2019-2, Slaty-backed Gull - 5 Oct 2019, offshore, Westport pelagic, Grays Harbor County (0-7-0).

SBGU-2020-1, Slaty-backed Gull - 1 Apr 2020, Gog-Le-Hi-Te Wetlands, Tacoma, Pierce County (2-5-0).

ARLO-2001-1, Arctic Loon - 29 Jan - 17 Feb 2001, Edmonds, Snohomish County (4-3-0). NOTE: Re-review of previously accepted sighting.

ASSP-2019-2, Ashy Storm-Petrel - 13 Jul 2019, Offshore, over Grays Canyon, Grays Harbor County (0-7-0).

FRIG-2020-1, frigatebird sp. - 19-20 Apr 2020, Klipsan Beach and Ocean Park, Pacific County (0-7-0).

SNEG-2020-1, Snowy Egret - 28 May 2020, Millet Pond, Walla Walla County (2-4-1).

ALFL-2020-1, Alder Flycatcher - 20 Jun 2020, Turnbull NWR, Spokane County (0-7-0).

PHAI-2020-1, Phainopepla - 29 Apr 2020, South end of Tiger Mountain, Issaquah, King County (0-7-0).

ETSP-2019-1, Eurasian Tree Sparrow - 27 Oct - 20 Nov 2019, Butler's Motel, Neah Bay, Clallam County (ID: 7-0-0, Origin: Uncertain = 7).

EUGO-2020-1, European Goldfinch - 27 Feb 2020, Boeing Ponds, Kent, King County (ID: 7-0-0, Origin: Not wild = 7).

EUGO-2020-2, European Goldfinch - 9-10 Apr 2020, Burlington, Skagit County (ID: 7-0-0, Origin: Not wild = 7).

BAOR-2007-1, Baltimore Oriole - 2 Jun 2007, Bateman Island, Richland, Benton County (2-5-0).

GTGR-2020-1, Great-tailed Grackle - 22 Mar 2020, Port Susan Bay TNC, Snohomish County (2-4-1).

GWWA-2019-1, Golden-winged Warbler - 28 Sep 2019, Freeland, Whidbey Island, Island County (1-6-0).

CONW-2020-1, Connecticut Warbler - 17 Jun 2020, Conboy Lake NWR, Klickitat County (0-7-0).

BLGR-2020-1, Blue Grosbeak - 31 Aug 2020, Seaview Approach, Long Beach Peninsula, Pacific County (0-7-0).

INBU-2020-4, Indigo Bunting - 2 Sep 2020, McNary NWR, Millet Ponds and woodlands, Walla Walla County (1-6-0).


Details and updated files including the current state checklist and records of all WBRC decisions are available on the WOS website at: https://wos.org/records/ <https://wos.org/records/>

Thanks to everyone who has submitted reports of rare birds,


Matt Bartels
Secretary, WBRC
Seattle, WA

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