two more armchair ticks from the BOURC - finally

[Martin]

The latest (fourth) report of the Taxonomic Sub-committee of the BOU Records Committee has finally recognised American Herring Gull and Caspian Gull at the species level.

The report states:

"We recommend recognition of the following species to better reflect recent advances in knowledge of the evolution and systematics of large gulls:

• Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans (monotypic)
• Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus (polytypic, including fuscus, intermedius, graellsii, heuglini, taimyrensis, barabensis)
• American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus (polytypic, including smithsonianus, vegae, mongolicus)
• Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis (polytypic, including michahellis, atlantis)
• Armenian Gull Larus armenicus (monotypic)
• Herring Gull Larus argentatus (polytypic, including argentatus, argenteus)"

http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20051223121350.JPG
Caspian Gull, Derbyshire © Steve Mann, from the surfbirds galleries

GEORGE SANGSTER, J. MARTIN COLLINSON, ALAN G. KNOX, DAVID T. PARKIN, LARS SVENSSON (2007) Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: Fourth report Ibis 149 (4), 853–857.

[Ben Miller]

The latest (fourth) report of the Taxonomic Sub-committee of the BOU Records Committee has finally recognised American Herring Gull and Caspian Gull at the species level.

GEORGE SANGSTER, J. MARTIN COLLINSON, ALAN G. KNOX, DAVID T. PARKIN, LARS SVENSSON (2007) Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: Fourth report Ibis 149 (4), 853–857.

Fantastic Caspian photo!

However, birders following the BOU list don't have two more ticks quite yet... The report Martin refers to above is from the BOURC's Taxomonic Sub-Committee (BOURC TSC), and provides recommendations for changes to the offical BOU British List.

These recommendations are yet to be accepted by the BOURC, although it is anticipated that will happen laters this month/early Jan. Therefore, Caspian and Smicker are still not yet on the BOU list.

Of course, if you don't strictly follow the BOU list then you can tick them whenever you want... UK400Club followers have ticked them both for years!