More details on 'heard only' records of American Golden Plover and Hawfinch for 2017 and 2018.
Above average numbers of American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) and Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) were reported in Ireland during 2017 and into 2018. Both species feature on the Appendix 2 list of rarities and normally do not require formal documentation. The IRBC reserves the right to ask observers for substantiating details of records of species and subspecies involving exceptional numbers, unusual dates, etc. including those listed in Appendix 2. Given that many of the American Golden Plover and Hawfinch records since 2017 involve those reported as flyovers or heard only, we would encourage birders to submit supporting evidence for such records to help fully document these influxes, outside of the typical range of occurrence.
It would be most appreciated if observers could refer to the 2017 and 2018 Provisional Lists for details of these records and contact Colum Flynn (IRBC Secretary) by e-mail with notes or descriptions detailing any such birds they encountered. It would be most appreciated if documentation could be sent in by Friday 30th November at the latest.
A rarity description form may be downloaded through the Record Submission page.