Back in 2012 I completed a Big Year in Ontario, finishing up with 344 species. It was an incredible year and I observed a lot of interesting species, however I have come to the understanding that I likely observed one fewer species than I claimed. Some of you may recall the California Gull that was present on the Niagara River from January 29 until February 20, 2012 which was found by Jim Pawlicki. I subsequently reported the bird on February 9 from the Adam Beck power plants, and thought I photographed the bird as well.
Looking back at my photos, it appears that the bird I had claimed as the California Gull was in fact not a California Gull - it was most likely a Herring Gull that appears to have a slightly darker mantle than the surrounding birds due to its angle, and several other features do not add up as well. Four and a half years later, I cannot remember if I simply photographed the wrong bird, or if I indeed misidentified the California Gull. Unfortunately I did not see any other California Gulls during 2012, so I have decided to remove it from my list. I guess we all make mistakes...
As such, my Ontario year list for 2012 now stands at 343. I guess it will make it incrementally easier when someone inevitably comes along and beats the record!
3 comments:
That sucks that you lose a species 4 years later, good on you for pointing it out. Shows how counts aren't always set in stone. Did you see an Audubon's butter-butt that year? Maybe if they split it again (as is being discussed) .. you will get the 344 back!
Hi Steve,
No Audubon's for me in 2012, and unfortunately I can't add species retroactively depending on whatever taxonomic lumps/splits occur. I'm using that policy as established in the ABA big year rules (http://listing.aba.org/big-year-rules/). So 343 it is!
Ahh! Interesting. I had not seen that link about big year rules, thanks. Your 343 is likely safe for a while, that's a big number!
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