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Annual List Of Birds

Here is a new feature posted on our website: the list of species seen in Howard County each year. It will always be accessible from the Members' Corner.

Following on the work originally started by David Holmes and maintained for more than 15 years by Jane Coskren, we have updated the county list through 2008. In 2008, we recorded 231 species which compares well with previous years. The record high of 236 was reached in 1994 and nearly again in 2001. In the recent 20 years the number has stayed above 220 with one exception in 1998 when only 218 species were tallied. Data is gathered from field trip has been accepted, so it is included in the count for 2008. However, the Least Tern sighting in 2006 is shown as not yet accepted and is not in the 2006 total. Similarly, some hybrids will be noted, such as Brewster's Warbler, but will not be included in the total.

Rare bird reports not yet accepted will be shown in the table with a different symbol and will not be included in the total count. We have just recently heard that the Eurasian Collared-Dove — see the Nov/Dec issue of The Goldfinch -has been accepted, so it is included in the count for 2008. However, the Least Tern sighting in 2006 is shown as not yet accepted and is not in the 2006 total. Similarly, some hybrids will be noted, such as Brewster's Warbler, but will not be included in the total.

We are not collecting any other tallies such as personal lists or yard lists as part of this effort. Your part in this is unchanged — keep providing your prompt inputs for the seasonal reports, and keep your eyes open and your records of rare sightings well documented.