Wednesday, 28 July, 2010 - Changes to North American Bird Check-list of the American Ornithological Union (A.O.U.)
Many subscribers to this list are probably 'on top' of these developments in North American bird taxonomy and nomenclature - but for those not, and/or with interest in some of the ways the changes are discussed: There are others who may write eloquently on these changes which will affect how many "life" birds a lot of North American birders count in their personal listings. The changes also involve re-namings and a little shuffling of the taxonomic cards. Those who have traveled a bit more might get a few lifers from these new changes - perhaps without even getting up off the proverbial old couch! Here are thoughts from just one rather well-traveled bird tour leader and writer... I have no affiliation with that company nor this writer other than the pleasure of meeting in the field. http://birdaz.com/blog/2010/07/28/the-fifty-first-supplement-to-the-aou-check-list/#comments I''m a member of the American Birding Association, but again have no $ stake in their group [#1]: http://birding.typepad.com/peeps/2010/07/latest-news-from-the-aou.html Another take (again I've not a penny invested with this business): http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CHAT.html#1280252847 (scroll to *MISCELLANEA* in the web page for the relevant topic) from the "EarBirding blog, lots of discussions about this taxonomy: http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/1837 http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/2259 and from Birder's World mag. (I wrote an unpaid article for them): http://bit.ly/b6MJ4C "Sources" of these: http://www.aou.org/ Below is actual copy in PDF file format that can be downloaded. It is the complete 19 page treatise from "The Auk", Volume 127, pages 726 - 744 inclusive, unedited and as supplied. (I take no responsibility for the file): http://ptoomey.com/MOB_Montana/AOU%2051st%20NA%20Supplement.pdf (A tip of the hat to David Mark, writing on the Genesee Birds list) - - - - - - A few thoughts on the birds that move on in July - NOT all are sea & shore birds... here are some musings and observations from a Cornell- area birder which give a local sense (central New York state) to the notion: http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html#1280344420 Lately, a LOT of birds have been moving - MANY are "land" birds. - - - different topic (sort of)- there are Black-bellied Whistling Ducks reported from Maine, & Ontario (Canada), and New Jersey (Cape May), and there are Scissor-tailed Flycatchers reported in Massachusetts and New Jersey (yes, Cape May NJ again... after a mid_July report of a Scissor-tailed from northern NJ). There are many other interesting mid-summer wanderers and we can all be on the lookout, from shores to meadows! [#1]: as a non-profit org. ABA membership is tax-deduct., so can't be construed as an "investment" in the "bird biz". I'm a traveling birder, spend more on bird-finding than I do on 96" TV monitors. Not quite shocking. Birds & more birds! Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
