Subject: Records Committee Decision 2021 [Print This Page] Author: HKBWS Tung Time: 2/06/2021 11:11 Subject: Records Committee Decision 2021
At a meeting on 13 May 2021, the Records Committee made the following decisions.
Additions to Cat I
● Goldcrest Regulus regulus at Po Toi on 31 March 2020, followed by record at Tai Po Kau on 20 April 2020.
● Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus (spp pica) at Mai Po on 30 May 2020.
The HK List now stands at 564 species in Cat I and II.
Addition to Cat III
Ryukyu Scops Owl Otus elegans firstly reported near Tai Lung Experimental Farm, Sheung Shui, on 25 July 2020.
Taxonomy and HK List nomenclature changes:
An updated HK List will soon be published. It incorporates changes introduced in the recent IOC v11.1 and v11.2 species and taxonomic updates as follows:
Black-tailed Godwit: add newly described subspecies bohaii, which is larger in size compared to melanuroides and is the common wintering form in HK.
Collared Owlet: to be moved and resurrected Taenioptynx (Salter et al. 2019). i.e. Taenioptynx brodiei
Siberian House Martin: Common House Martin Delichon urbicum in Hong Kong to be renamed to Siberian House Martin Delichon lagopodum in the coming HK List after the proposed split was accepted in IOC v11.2 (and details referred to Leader et al. 2021).
IUCN Red List status
Dalmatian Pelican and Japanese Night Heron were downgraded to Near-threatened (NT) and Vulnerable (VU) respectively.
Changes of committee structure and chairperson
RC is re-structured by increasing members and the establishment of a “Checklist Sub-committee”. Records Committee maintains the main function of assessing the records of species that are considered rare or are seen in unusual circumstances in terms of numbers, location or date. The Records Committee comprises 4 to 6 members. New members are being recruited.
The new Checklist Sub-committee is to maintain and update the HK List by reviewing species which could probably be added or removed from the HK List. Any potential to affect the status of any taxon on the HK List should also be assessed by the sub-committee. The Checklist Sub-committee comprises 3 members.
Mr. Geoff Carey decided to step down as RC chairman, it was agreed Yu Yat-tung would be the next RC chairman. Records Committee current members include Yu Yat-tung (Chairman), Gary Chow, Paul Leader, and Richard Lewthwaite.
The Records Committee thanks Geoff for his great contribution in the last 30 years.
賈知行先生決定退下紀錄委員會主席一職， 而余日東先生成為新一任主席， 紀錄委員會現任成員包括余日東先生(主席) ， 周家禮先生， Paul Leader先生及 Richard Lewthwaite 先生。
紀錄委員會非常感謝賈知行先生在過去三十年的巨大貢獻。
余日東
紀錄委員會主席 Author: ddavid Time: 3/06/2021 10:51
Hi Tung.
What about Ryukyu Flycatcher Ficedula owstoni which has been split from Narcissus Flycatcher by the IOC (Version 11.2 draft)?
David Author: HKBWS Tung Time: 5/06/2021 11:03
Hi David,
Please advise me if I am wrong in the following comment.
As far as I know, the IOC v11.2 draft is still not being totally accepted (and otherwise it would not be called as draft) and just a bit more formality needs to be done from IOC for final acceptance. Once IOC announce the results, we will accept those split (or lump) from following the IOC list.
Thanks
Tung Author: ajohn Time: 11/06/2021 16:15
Addition to Cat III
Ryukyu Scops Owl Otus elegans firstly reported near Tai Lung Experimental Farm, Sheung Shui, on 25 July 2020.
What about the earlier records of the Ryukyu Scops Owl, going back to May 2020? Were these not assessed by RC, or were they considered Not Proven?
I would be interested to see an explanation of the Cat III decision for this record. Has the RC uncovered any evidence of captive trade, or is this decision based on caution due to a lack of other records on mainland Asia? Author: cgeoff Time: 2/07/2021 11:45
I know from experience that the RC can only consider what is placed before it.
GeoffC Author: HKBWS Tung Time: 8/11/2021 10:01
At a meeting on 12 Jul 2021, the Record Committee confirmed the recruitment of new members:
RC committee members: Gary Chow, Matthew Kwan, Tom Li, Sherman Yeung and Yat-tung Yu.
Checklist sub-committee members: Paul Leader, Richard Lewthwaite and Yat-tung Yu.
During this meeting, new members were briefed on the RC working mechanism.
At a meeting on 5 Oct 2021, the Record Committee made the following decisions.
Addition to Cat I
Herald Petrel Pterodroma heraldica on 17 March 2001 at Mai Po boardwalk. This record was previously accepted as unidentified Pterodroma petrel, and is now being accepted with more updated identification criteria available in the literature and from internet photos.
Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus on 7 Nov 2020 at Lamma Island.
Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis on 27 Oct 2020 at Ap Lei Chau, HK Island. This individual was found injured and sent to KFBG for treatment. After rehabilitation, it recovered to good condition and was released into the wild at Clear Water Bay on 17-11-2020
Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei on 31 Oct 2020 at Tai Po Kau headland.
Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta on 20 Jan 2021 at KFBG.
Ryukyu Minivet Pericrocotus tegimae on 14 Feb 2021 at Mt. Davis, HK Island.
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis on 20 Mar 2021 at Mai Po boardwalk.
Short-billed Gull Larus brachyrhynchus on 25 and 26 Feb 1994 at Mai Po boardwalk, a recent split from Common Gull Larus canus accepted by IOC version 11.2. This taxon, previously treated as a subspecies of Common Gull, has been included in the HK list and the latest review of this record still agrees with this decision.
Ryukyu Flycatcher Ficedula owstoni is also a new split from Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina accepted by IOC version 11.2. The earliest accepted record was on 24 Mar 2002 at Mt. Davis, with seven accepted records subsequently. RC had only accepted records of male birds in spring (March to April), as there was no progress on reviews of female records.
The HK List now stands at 573 species in Cat I and II.
Addition to Cat III
Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus on 28 May 2021 with two individuals at Fung Lok Wai.
Removal of URF submission requirement
The following species would be removed from URF submission: Brown Bobby, Sooty Tern, Common Chiffchaff, Rustic Bunting, Barred Cuckoo-dove, Chestnut Munia.
An updated HK List will soon be published. It incorporates changes introduced in the recent IOC V.11.2 species and taxonomic updates.
