Revision of the reporting list of the Avifaunistic Commission Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg 2020 and 2023

Abstract

Avifaunistic commissions (rarities committees) review and archive observations of rare bird species. Lists published by these commissions specify for which bird taxa documentation should be submitted to, and reviewed by, the respective panel. The commissions’ publication of accepted records ensures that these are made available for scientific analysis according to internationally accepted standards.

Based on better knowledge of the regional bird fauna and new developments in the avian world—like expanding, contracting or shifting ranges and migration routes, positive or negative population trends—the list of rare bird taxa of the reporting area has been comprehensively revised by the Avifaunistic Commission of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg (AK-SH/HH) in 2020. In 2023, the list was revised again as part of the regular amendment of the German Avifaunistic Commission (DAK)’s national list. Resulting changes are presented here and are discussed in view of the status of the relevant bird taxa in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, neighbouring areas as well as in regions of origin. Furthermore, aspects of species identification are considered, too.

The formerly regularly occurring (as breeder or passage migrant) taxa Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes, Crested Lark Galerida cristata, ‚Red-spotted Bluethroat’ Luscinia svecica svecica and Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris have now largely disappeared from our area and are therefore reviewed by the AK-SH/HH from now on. A review of past reports resulted in the confirmation of twelve ‚Red-spotted Bluethroats’ from 2001 to 2019. ‚Baltic Gull’ Larus fuscus fuscus (10 records in total), Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (9 records since 1993) and ‚Icelandic Redwing’ Turdus iliacus coburni (3 records in total) have probably always been rare, which is why the AK-SH/HH also checked documented reports from before 2020 (when these taxa were added to the list). Further five mainly Mediterranean species were transferred from the national list of the DAK to the regional list of the AK-SH/HH: Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmaeus, Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator and Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti. Due to their now regular occurrence with several records per year, Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius, Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus and Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus were taken off the list.

Hybrids need to be documented only if at least one parent is part of the DAK or AK-SH/HH lists. Phenological and local peculiarities of species not on the DAK or AK-SH/HH lists as well as rare breeding records will be checked by the regional reviewers (‚coordinators’) of ornitho.de from now on.