|
About
Bird Recording
Rare and Scarce Birds
Species that are rarely recorded within a bird recording
area often require a short description so that the local recorder
and committee are satisfied that the species was identified
correctly. In most cases all that is required is a brief description
based on diagnostic features, which establish the birds identity.
These are often species that are less than annual in a county
and may easily be confused with other species. Lists of species
that require a description are usually given in the local
bird report each year.
Rare birds in Britain
Species which are rarely recorded in Britain, require a description
to be submitted to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).
Descriptions of rare birds should be sent to your county bird
recorder who will send a copy on to BBRC. The committee is
made up of 10 voting members and a non-voting secretary who
serve for a fixed term. They adjudicate on all records of
species, and some distinctive sub-species, which rarely occur
in Britain. Further information about the work of the BBRC
in Britain can be found here.
A copy of the BBRC Rarity Form is available here
(Acrobat Reader required).
Rare birds in Ireland
|
Rare birds seen in Ireland are assessed by the Irish
Rare Birds Committee (IRBC). The IRBC is responsible
for maintaining a list of the birds recorded in Ireland
(Republic). Its primary function is the assessment of
records of certain rare and scare species. To visit
their website click here.
Descriptions of species on their list
can be submitted via email or post, and full details
of how to submit can be found here.
|
 |
Descriptions of rare birds seen in Northern Ireland should
be sent to:
George Gordon
2 Brooklyn Avenue
Bangor
Co. Down
BT20 5RB
Email:
Scarce birds in England and Wales
Most county bird reports produce their own list of scarce
species requiring a description at the county level. This
will vary considerably between counties. Please contact your
local county recorder to
find out which species require descriptions or look in the
latest bird report for your area.
Scarce birds in Scotland
In Scotland, the Scottish Birds Records Committee (SBRC)
assesses all records of birds which are rare in Scottish terms.
It has seven voting members and a non-voting secretary and
at least six members must vote in favour of a record for it
to be accepted. Descriptions should be submitted to SBRC via
your county recorder.
The species dealt with via the SBRC are additional to those
on the BBRC list, for which Scottish records would be reviewed
by the BBRC in the usual way. The species currently requiring
a description if recorded in Scotland are:
| |
Cory’s Shearwater |
Tawny Pipit |
 |
| |
Great Shearwater |
Water Pipit |
| |
Night Heron |
Nightingale |
| |
Purple Heron |
Cetti’s Warbler |
| |
American Wigeon |
Aquatic Warbler |
| |
Montagu’s Harrier |
Marsh Warbler |
| |
Rough-legged Buzzard |
Melodious Warbler |
| |
Stone Curlew |
Dartford Warbler |
| |
Kentish Plover |
Woodchat Shrike |
| |
Ring-billed Gull |
Rose-coloured Starling |
| |
Yellow-legged Gull |
Serin |
| |
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker |
Cirl Bunting |
| |
Short-toed Lark |
Ortolan Bunting |
| |
Woodlark |
Little Bunting |
Scarce birds in Ireland
Records of scarce birds in Ireland should be
sent to the relevant area
recorder. If in doubt send records to:
Birdwatch Ireland
P.O. Box 12
Greystones
Co. Wicklow
Email:
|
