_IF_ it is truly the attitude of the records committee then any Whooper Swan in MN is automatically considered an escapee then I have to question their logic. So, the following rant on my part only holds if the MN records committee refuses to review records of Whooper Swan.
First let me say that I HAVE served on a records committee. It is largely a thankless task, certainly a way to lose friends and make enemies. Second, as an avian biogeographer by training/practice I can say that applying a blanket rule that a species like Whooper Swan is an escapee and not consider a possible wild origin is a serious error in judgement. This is a species that is known to stray. While it is more likely to stray coastally there is no reason a bird might not stray inland as well. There are many factors behind a bird straying - it could be weather related, it could be a genetic abnormality (or one that has been chemically induced), the bird could have gotten mixed in with species that normally winter in the US (or be paired with a Tundra Swan), and there are other reasons as well. Consider the sightings of Common Crane from NE and IN as at least putting forward the possibility that the species has a wild origin. Consider sightings of Smew in the same category. True, this is a species kept in captivity but so are Smew. It just means that care needs to be taken in considering possible wild/escaped origin of the birds in question. How are they behaving? Are there any bands, any sign of clipping? Has an aviculturist reported a lost bird? Now a bird can still be an escapee and behave wild, not be banded and no one report the loss. That is the role of a records committee - to carefully consider the evidence and make a provisional judgement. Then be willing to reconsider previous decisions if the balance of evidence starts pointing to a pattern suggesting wild birds rather than escapees. All it takes is a cursory review of the birds showing up in recent years in other states (Slaty-backed Gull in CO and elsewhere), Arctic Loon in CO, multiple Smew sightings, to at least put forward the possibility that a Whooper Swan in MN could indeed be a wild bird. --- "David A. Cahlander" <da...@cahlander.com> wrote: > I'm told that any Whopper Swan found in MN is > considered an escape. Its > not on even the accidental list for Minnesota. > > According to Avisys's records, sightings have only > been accepted in > > ME, MT, CA, OR, AK, BC > > This is not a reason to not go look at the bird. > Its a wonderful bird. > --- ===== Jeff Price Boulder, CO jtpbir...@yahoo.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/