2007 Utah Big Year

Species Total Details (355)

Here are a few numbers about the birds I saw. Of the 355 reported, 329 species were photographed, 1 was video recorded, 1 was sound recorded, and 18 observed with other birders or by others later. That makes 349 species documented and/or observed by multiple birders on the year. At a minimum that number is one I am very happy with.

Potential Future Splits (2 splits/7 total species)

Of note, I also observed Oregon, Pink-sided, Gray-headed, Slate-colored, and White-winged Junco during the year. This potential 5 species split would have implications on my list obviously, adding 4 additional species. I also observed both the Southwest Willow Flycatcher and the Northwest Willow Flycatcher species that addionally might be split in the future.

Species Not Counted (5)

I also included 2 species on this list that were seen but not included in the total of 355. 1 was a Bewick's Swan that I photographed in February. This species is sometimes recognized as being split from the Tundra Swan, but per current nomenclature, it is not a distinct species. I also saw many California Condor. These birds are all reintroduced and therefore don't really count. I did however add them to my life list which is my own personal thing. I did see several Mute Swans, and Mandarin Ducks that were free flying, but did not count or include them on this list. This is a tricky one given their status of reproducing in the wild. Both are on my Utah life-list as well but none-the-less I didn't count.

Species without Documentation/Others Observation (6)

I had 6 species I observed and didn't photograph while by myself. Of those 1 is fairly common (DUGR) but was seen without my camera in tow. Another is a permanent resident in southern Utah (RCSP) which was heard singing on territory in known breeding territory. Another (BETH) was heard in very low light singing its unique song at a location where it has been known to breed in the past. Yet another species was observed in flight calling in low light (GRHE), the distinctive call is unique to this species. The 2 birds that are likely to cause the biggest question among critics would be both species of Cuckoo. Black-billed a rare late migrant in Utah was observed as a flyby at what would be an early date in Utah. The unmistakable cuckoo in flight lacked any rufous in the wings eliminating the other possibility. Try as I might I could not relocate the bird for a photo. The other more common Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen in great habitat in a location where suspected breeeders had been observed in the past. I didn't have my camera with me as I was crossing a river via kayak and didn't want to risk an accident with my gear.

On each occasion I felt comfortable adding the species to my year list given the circumstances, with 93% documented, and 5% observed by others, 98% of all the birds I reported can be confirmed. But 100% of the birds I put on the list I counted!

A Note on Records Committees

Several folks have asked me about records committee acceptance criteria. Since I don't recognize the Utah Records Committee as the authroity on Utah listing any more, their acceptance or rejection of any of my sightings does not weigh on my list. For instance, I submitted records at the time for STSA, HUGO, PARE, WEGU, PIWA, PHVI, DICK, NOPA, ZTHA, BHVI, and PAWA that were accepted by the committee--3 of those were 1st state records.

I also submitted for EAME and BBCU the only 2 which were not accepted. I planned on using them as a guideline, but argue that others doing big years have not only failed to submit records for many species on the review list, but in many cases provide limited or NO documentation of anything they saw. There is no fair playing field in my opinion unless documentation, and/or others observe the birds you report during a Big Year--as records committees provide their own set of issues.. I can say that eBird has accepted all these sightings from 2007 due to documentation provided. If anything this is the standard I would hold others too.