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 [email protected]. Regards, Amanda Guercio 2020 OBRC Chair -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
