The 2020 Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC) reviewed a total of 197
records of species on the provincial Review Lists - a near record-breaking
total! - and our spring AGM was once again held virtually. Tundra
Bean-Goose and Glaucous-winged Gull were added to the Ontario list in 2020,
bringing the total to 503 species.
The OBRC also voted to refine the way it evaluates species considered for
removal from the review lists, and as a result there are several changes to
the Central and South Review Lists in 2021.
In the Central Review Zone, reports of Carolina Wren and Dickcissel are no
longer requested starting in 2021.
In the South Review Zone, reports of Western Grebe, Mississippi Kite,
Western Kingbird, Cave Swallow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Western
Sandpiper, and Ruff are no longer requested starting in 2021.
Tundra Bean-Goose was added to the South Review List, and Glaucous-winged
Gull was added to the Central Review List.
The full Annual Report will be sent to OFO members in the August edition of
Ontario Birds, which will also be available at the following website:
http://www.ofo.ca/library/list/key/ob
The members of the 2020 Committee were Amanda Guercio (Chair), Daniel Riley
(non-voting Secretary), Ken Burrell, Mike Burrell (voting member and
Archivist), Barbara Charlton (voting member and Assistant to the
Secretary), Reuven Martin, Mark Read, and Adam Timpf. Mark Peck acted as
the ROM liaison. The 3-year terms as voting OBRC members for Barbara
Charlton and Amanda Guercio ended following the conclusion of this year’s
annual meeting. Daniel Riley has also completed his term and Brett Fried
has been elected to Secretary. The OBRC has elected Dan MacNeal and Nicole
Richardson to 3-year voting terms going forward, and Mark Read has been
elected to Chair.
I would like to thank all current and former members of the OBRC for their
service and dedication to the task of evaluating submitted records. On
behalf of the entire Committee, I would also like to thank the many members
of the Ontario birding community who took the time and effort to document
rare bird sightings in Ontario for consideration by the OBRC. The OBRC
would cease to exist without your support. The submission of rare bird
reports, data requests, questions, comments, concerns, and all other
contact with the Committee may all be done through the email obrc@ofo.ca.
Regards,
Amanda Guercio
2020 OBRC Chair