Highland Records Committee
The Highland Records Committee (HRC) is tasked with assessing records of rare and scarce birds that occur in the Highland recording area. It adjudicates on any record of species on the HRC list. The HRC may also require a description for any record that falls outside the normal pattern of occurrence i.e. a Willow Warbler in winter.
The current composition of the HRC is:
John Poyner (Recorder)
Stu Crutchfield (Chair)
Dean MacAskill
Marcus Conway
Kate Clarke
Steve Broyd
Simon Eaves
George Gay (reserve for birds found by other members of Committee)
The Highland Records Committee (HRC) is tasked with assessing records of rare and scarce birds that occur in the Highland recording area. It adjudicates on any record of species on the HRC list. The HRC may also require a description for any record that falls outside the normal pattern of occurrence i.e. a Willow Warbler in winter.
The current composition of the HRC is:
John Poyner (Recorder)
Stu Crutchfield (Chair)
Dean MacAskill
Marcus Conway
Kate Clarke
Steve Broyd
Simon Eaves
George Gay (reserve for birds found by other members of Committee)
2023 Highland SOC Branch Species Focus
As well as Crested Tit and Red-breasted Merganser, four other key breeding species are being added to our species focus in 2023, Jay, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Ptarmigan. The latter has recently undergone a considerable decline and jumped from green to red listed recently so has been added out of considerable concern especially in times of rapid climate change. We really need to get a snapshot of the current population throughout the region, particularly breeding records. Are they doing well in some areas and not others, or is it a region wide issue, we are just not too sure. Notoriously difficult to survey because of their habitat, it would be good to encourage all hillwalkers as well as birders to submit records along with accurate grid references, especially in some of the more remote ranges. Any flock counts particularly in autumn would be useful as well as brood counts and territorial pairs.
Jay
Jay appears to be expanding in Highland but we have very few proven breeding records and sightings are generally just casual. Proven breeding would be most welcome as well as any numbers of multiple birds to monitor the changes in range of this Corvid.
Whinchat
Highland holds an important breeding population of Whinchat with plenty of suitable habitat. Red listed and having declined in the UK by 57% between 1995 and 2020, the need to monitor the breeding of this species is vital. Again, breeding codes and accurate grid references are encouraged.
Spotted Flycatcher
Having undergone a significant decline in England, they are still a relatively Common summer breeder in Highland and indeed may well have moved their range north, though are we seeing a decline? Again, all records, especially breeding evidence would be welcome along with accurate site details.
Crested Tit
Although not a rare breeding bird, the Rare Breeding Bird Panel (RBBP) regularly reviews species between 1000-2000 pairs and decided after review, to add this species to those it monitors from the year 2020. It was felt that not enough was currently known about their population size and range and more data is needed. It would be very useful to receive records with breeding codes and an accurate grid reference, especially from areas away from the traditional well watched “hot-spots” such as Badenoch & Strathspey.
Red-breasted Merganser
A widespread species in the Highlands but data is lacking on just how many pairs do breed annually. All sightings are welcomed, especially important are pairs seen in suitable habitat, females with broods and any group counts, all with an accurate location.
If you use Birdtrack the new App is an excellent way of recording sightings or via their webpage and these are forwarded to the recorder and downloaded for compilation of the bird report. Alternatively, records can be emailed to [email protected]
As well as Crested Tit and Red-breasted Merganser, four other key breeding species are being added to our species focus in 2023, Jay, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Ptarmigan. The latter has recently undergone a considerable decline and jumped from green to red listed recently so has been added out of considerable concern especially in times of rapid climate change. We really need to get a snapshot of the current population throughout the region, particularly breeding records. Are they doing well in some areas and not others, or is it a region wide issue, we are just not too sure. Notoriously difficult to survey because of their habitat, it would be good to encourage all hillwalkers as well as birders to submit records along with accurate grid references, especially in some of the more remote ranges. Any flock counts particularly in autumn would be useful as well as brood counts and territorial pairs.
Jay
Jay appears to be expanding in Highland but we have very few proven breeding records and sightings are generally just casual. Proven breeding would be most welcome as well as any numbers of multiple birds to monitor the changes in range of this Corvid.
Whinchat
Highland holds an important breeding population of Whinchat with plenty of suitable habitat. Red listed and having declined in the UK by 57% between 1995 and 2020, the need to monitor the breeding of this species is vital. Again, breeding codes and accurate grid references are encouraged.
Spotted Flycatcher
Having undergone a significant decline in England, they are still a relatively Common summer breeder in Highland and indeed may well have moved their range north, though are we seeing a decline? Again, all records, especially breeding evidence would be welcome along with accurate site details.
Crested Tit
Although not a rare breeding bird, the Rare Breeding Bird Panel (RBBP) regularly reviews species between 1000-2000 pairs and decided after review, to add this species to those it monitors from the year 2020. It was felt that not enough was currently known about their population size and range and more data is needed. It would be very useful to receive records with breeding codes and an accurate grid reference, especially from areas away from the traditional well watched “hot-spots” such as Badenoch & Strathspey.
Red-breasted Merganser
A widespread species in the Highlands but data is lacking on just how many pairs do breed annually. All sightings are welcomed, especially important are pairs seen in suitable habitat, females with broods and any group counts, all with an accurate location.
If you use Birdtrack the new App is an excellent way of recording sightings or via their webpage and these are forwarded to the recorder and downloaded for compilation of the bird report. Alternatively, records can be emailed to [email protected]
