The third edition of the bird Checklist was published in 1998. It incorporates all the taxonomic changes announced by the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) in 1998, and was up-to-date through the end of April 1998. One new species (Ivory Gull) was included in the list on the basis of a historical record from Schreiber. Unfortunately and ironically, three new species were added to the district list in May, the first one the day after the final copy of the list was delivered to the shop for printing! The total thus now stands at 336 species (including the 4 extinct/extirpated species).A total of 245 species were reported from Thunder Bay District in 1998, by members and friends of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists. This number is a little shy of the 248 species reported in 1997, but well within the 10-year average. Four of these species are new to the checklist (see rarities below).
A. Regular Species
Of the 228 regularly occurring species on the list, 220 were reported in 1998. The 8 species not reported were: Hudsonian Godwit (being reported much less frequently than 10 years ago), Ruddy Turnstone (not seen in 1997 either), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (fewer sightings now than in the 80's), Black Tern (not seen since 1995, may not breed in the district any more), Red-headed Woodpecker (not seen since 1995), House Wren (first year not reported since 1985), Marsh Wren, Pine Warbler.B. Rarities
There were 4 additions to the checklist in 1998, contingent on them being accepted by the Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC). Thunder Cape had our first Bewick's Wren, Painted Bunting, and Sprague's Pipit. The fourth addition was a Tropical/Couch's Kingbird at Hurkett. Including these four, the total number of rare species reported was 25. This compares to 27 rare species in 1997. Details of most of these sightings have been published in the Bird Records section of Nature Northwest.C. Exotics
The only species in this category reported this year was Wild Turkey.I wish to extend my thanks to all club members who send me their bird sightings, by phone, mail, or e-mail, particularly those who send a regular monthly list. My e-mail address is escott@norlink.net for those with a computer and e-mail access.