Memorandum to:         The Director of Birds Australia

 

 

From:                           Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)

 

 

Date:                            13th February 2007

 

 

Voting Members:         Jamie Matthews Glenn Holmes

Mike Carter                   Andrew Silcocks

                                    Tony Palliser                 John Hatch

                                    Danny Rogers                Niven McCrie

                       

Cc.                               Ron Johnstone  

 

 

Submission No 480: Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis on Ashmore Reef, 28th – 31st October 2005. Submitted by:  Rohan Clarke & Murray Grant.

 

 

Verdict:  Accepted

 

 

This record continues a trend of occurrences of Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis from Ashmore Reef. This sighting involves three birds discovered on West Island on the 28th October 2005 followed by additional sightings until the 31st October 2005.

 

A thorough account of the circumstances behind the sighting, along with a full diagnosis of how each bird was identified and excellent photographic corroboration provide conclusive evidence to warrant acceptance. Some individual variation was noted i.e. the extent of the long primary projection diagnostic of the species.  Interestingly one or more of the birds was heard calling. The call is considered to be diagnostic, distinguishing the species from other similar Phylloscopus (e.g. Beaman & Madge 1998). One bird uttered a rasping 'tziiit' when observed in flight. On several occasions the bird’s presence was first detected by its call.

 

Committee members voted unanimously in favour of acceptance agreeing entirely with the observers. This is the 7th record of this species to be accepted by BARC. All records are  from Ashmore Reef or elsewhere in north-western Australia.

 

 

References and Bibliography:

 

·       Bradshaw, C. & Riddington. R., (1997), ‘How certain are the separation features of Arctic and Greenish Warblers?’, British Birds 90: 180–184.

·       Coates, B.J. & Bishop, K.D., (1997), A Guide to the Birds of Wallacea. Dove Publications.

·       Cramp, S. (ed.), (1992), Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Vol. 6. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

·       King, B. et al. (1975), A Field Guide to the Birds of South East Asia. Collins, London.

·       Watmough, N., (1996), ‘Arctic or Greenish?’, Birdwatch August 1996: 24–30.

 

 

Tony Palliser

Chair:  Birds Australia Rarities Committee.