Date: 5/23/26 9:40 pm From: Matt Bartels via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] WBRC Spring 2026 MEETING RESULTS
WBRC Spring 2026 MEETING RESULTS
On Thursday, May 07, 2026, the Washington Bird Records Committee met online for its spring meeting.
A summary of our results:
• 34 reports were accepted as valid new records.
• 5 reports were reaffirmed as valid after re-review of previous accepted votes
• 3 additional records were accepted as continuing sightings of records previously accepted at earlier meetings.
• 12 reports were not accepted.
• 1 previously accepted report was re-reviewed and overturned as not accepted.
Two species were added to the official Washington state list with the discovery of:
• Yellow-green Vireo – 15 - 18 Oct 2025
• Cave Swallow – 28 - 29 Mar 2026
The state checklist is now at 531 species, including 518 species fully accredited (supported by specimen, photograph, or recording) and 13 species which are sight-only records (supported only by written documentation).
Key: Votes in parentheses (# accepted – # not accepted – # abstain)
[Notations: p=photo, v = video, a = audio, s = sketch]
BESW-2026-1, Bewick's Tundra Swan – 15 Mar 2026, Skagit Flats, Calhoun Road/Bradshaw Rd., Skagit County. Michael Klotz [p] (7-0-0).
WHOS-2025-1, Whooper Swan – 1 - 3 Dec 2025, Capitol Lake, Olympia, Thurston County. Bill Tweit [w, p], Jon Anderson [p], Lisa Genuit [p], Liam Hutcheson [p], Clayton Kinsesl [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed this record was likely a different individual than all the subsequent WHO sightings.
WHOS-2025-2, Whooper Swan – 7 Dec 2025 – 20 Mar 2026. Skagit, King and Snohomish Counties. Locations, dates and observers: Skagit Co.: 7 Dec 2025, Sunset Rd., Bow, Skagit County. Peter Erickson [p], Cordia Sammeth [p], David Schmalz [p] Richard Stanton [p]; King Co.: 16 Jan 2026, W Snoqualmie River Rd SE, King County. Greg Harrington [p], Hank Heiberg [p], John Puschock [p]; Skagit Co.: 3 Feb 2026, Polson Rd., Mount Vernon, Skagit County. Denny Bolton [p], Barb Chan [p], Bev Davenport [p], Jeff Hambleton [p], Teri Martine [p], Dianne (Marie) Murray [p], Evan Powell [p]; Snohomish Co.: 4-21 Feb 2026, Smokey Point Blvd., Arlington, Snohomish County. Marie Furnish [p], Ron Furnish [p], Robert Goff [p], Kristen Hannon [p], Darchelle Worley [p]; Skagit Co.: 5-20 Mar 2026, Sam Bell Road, Bow, Skagit County. Glenn Dunmire [p], Eric Kraig [p], Cordia Sammeth [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee all these different locations except WHOS-2025-1 were likely of the same individual wandering the area this winter.
KIEI-2025-1, King Eider – 22 Oct 2025 - 20 Feb 2026, Westhaven SP, Westport, Grays Harbor County. Bill Tweit [w, p], Charlotte Byers [p], Chazz Hesselein [p], Kyle Leader [p], Kellie Sagen [p], Ellen Stepniewski [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0).
WWDO-2025-1, White-winged Dove – 30 Nov 2025, Little Spokane NA, Spokane, Spokane County. Kim Thorburn [w] (6-1-0).
COCR-2025-1, Common Crane – 2 - 13 December 2025, Wenzel Slough, Elma & Brady Loop Road, Montesano, Grays Harbor County. Mike Charest [p], Rachel Hudson [p], Sandy Pringle [p], John Raymond [p], Andy Stepniewski [p] (7-0-0).
LIGU-2025-4, Little Gull – 7-10 Nov 2025, John Day Dam, Goldendale, Klickitat County. Trent Bray [w], Cindy McCormack [w], Jef Blake [p], Justin Santiago [p] (7-0-0).
LIGU-2026-1, Little Gull – 1 Mar 2026, Westport Pelagic, Grays Harbor County. Ryan Merrill [w, p] (7-0-0).
LAGU-2025-2, Laughing Gull – 3 Nov 2025, Elwha River mouth, Port Angeles, Clallam County. Roger Hoffman [w, p] (7-0-0).
VEGU-2006-1-revote, Vega Gull – 28 Dec 2006, Gene Coulon Park, Renton, King County. Cameron Cox [p], Charlie Wright [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as “Vega” Herring Gull and sustained all four records.
VEGU-2012-1-revote, Vega Gull – 14 Jan 2012, Banks Lake, Electric City, Grant County. Bruce LaBar, Ryan Shaw [p], Bill Tweit, Charlie Wright (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as “Vega” Herring Gull and sustained all four records.
VEGU-2013-1-revote, Vega Gull – 26 Oct 2013, Three Crabs, Dungeness, Clallam County. Ryan Merrill [w, p], Brad Waggoner [w], Ryan Shaw [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as “Vega” Herring Gull and sustained all four records.
VEGU-2014-1-revote, Vega Gull – 26 Oct 2014, Wa'atch River Mouth, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Steve Mlodinow [w, p], Ryan Merrill [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: In response to Vega Gull being elevated to full species status, the committee re-reviewed all reports previously accepted as “Vega” Herring Gull and sustained all four records.
ARLO-2025-1, Arctic Loon – 29 Nov - 7 Dec 2025, Bay City, Pirates Way Beach, Ocosta, Grays Harbor County. Cameron Cox [p], Liam Hutcheson [p], David Irons [p], Gene Revelas [p], Bill Shelmerdine [p], Bill Tweit [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0).
WISP-2025-1, Wilson's Storm-Petrel – 13 Oct 2025, Point Defiance Park, Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way, Tacoma, Pierce & King County. Marcus Roening [w], JJ Shaeffer [w], Charlie Wright [w], Alex Young [w] (7-0-0).
RFBO-2026-1, Red-footed Booby – 28 Feb 2026, Westport Marina, Westport, Grays Harbor County. Bill Tweit [w, p] (7-0-0).
LBHE-2025-1, Little Blue Heron – 4 Oct 2025, Bateman Island, Kennewick, Benton County. Jef Blake [w, p], Elke Davis [w, p], Laurie Ness [w, p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed that the two LBHE were different individuals.
LBHE-2025-2, Little Blue Heron – 26 Oct - 20 Nov 2025, Home Valley Park, Skamania County. Cindy McCormack [w, v], Matt Bartels [p], Greg Harrington [p], Grace & Ollie Oliver [p], Jordan Roderick [p], Asta Tobiassen [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed that the two LBHE were different individuals.
GREG-2021-1, Great Egret [modesta/alba] – 29 Oct 2021, Dugualla Bay, Whidbey Island, Island County. MJ Adams [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record for this subspecies group.
GREG-2026-2, Great Egret[alba] – 29 Mar - 3 May 2026, Barnaby Slough, Rockport, Skagit County. Ryan Merrill [w, p] (7-0-0).
WTKI-2025-1, White-tailed Kite – 3 Oct 2025, Julia Butler Hansen NWR, Cathlamet, Wahkiakum County. Andrew Emlen [w] (7-0-0).
YBSA-2025-2, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – 21 Dec 2025, St. Cloud Recreation Area, Skamania County. CJ Flick [w], Stuart Fletcher [p] (7-0-0).
YBFL-2025-1-revote, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – 24 Aug 2025, Bassett Park, Washtucna, Adams County. Alexander Sowers [w, p] (6-1-0). NOTE: In response to many west coast records of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher being questioned by empid authorities, the committee re-reviewed the two previously accepted reports of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, sustaining one and reversing the other.
YGVI-2025-1, Yellow-green Vireo – 15 - 18 Oct 2025, Grays Harbor NWR, Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County. Bob Boekelheide [w, p], Jordan Gunn [p], Liam Hutheson [p], Jordan Roderick [p], Kellie Sagen [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record.
CASW-2026-1, Cave Swallow – 28 - 29 Mar 2026, Hoquiam STP, Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County. Liam Hutcheson [p], Ryan Merrill [p], Kellie Sagen [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record.
WIWR-2025-2, Winter Wren – 20 Dec 2025 - 1 Jan 2026, Roses Lake, Manson, Chelan County. Kavanagh McGeough [p, a], Neil Paprocki [p, a], Debbie Sutherland [p, a] (7-0-0).
WHWA-2025-1, White Wagtail – 22 Nov 2025, Elwha River mouth, Port Angeles, Clallam County. Robin Corcoran [p], Keenan Yakola [p] (7-0-0).
RUBU-2025-1, Rustic Bunting – 10 Nov 2025, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, King County. Pat Miller fide Dennis Paulson [w, p], Amy Ke [p] (7-0-0).
OROR-2025-1, Orchard Oriole – 26 Oct - 11 Nov 2025, In town, 2nd & Blue Jay, Neah Bay, Clallam County. Roger Hoffman [p], Liam Hutcheson [p], Bill Tweit [p] (7-0-0).
OROR-2025-2, Orchard Oriole – 26 Oct - 2 Nov 2025, Ba'adah Loop, Neah Bay, Clallam County. JJ Shaeffer [p], Bill Tweit [p] (7-0-0).
GTGR-2025-6, Great-tailed Grackle – 10 Nov 2025 – 25 Feb 2026. Franklin, Benton and Walla Walla Counties. Locations, dates and observers: Franklin Co.: 10 Nov 2025, Goodwill Parking, Pasco, Franklin County. Jef Blake [p], Charlene Burge [p], Windy Burge [p] (7-0-0); Benton Co.: 14 Nov 2025, Gum St., Kennewick, Benton County. Jef Blake [p], Elke Davis [p] (7-0-0); Walla Walla Co.: 17 Jan -25 Feb 2026, Dodd Road, Burbank, Walla Walla County. Jef Blake [p], Mike & Merry Lynn Denny [p], Elke Davis [p], Matthew Mottern [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: The committee agreed that all three sightings likely were the same individual bird and combined them into a single record
NOPA-2025-2, Northen Parula – 14-17 Dec 2025, Islandview Ct., Olympia, Thurston County. Emily Teachout [w, v] Aaron Barna [p], Keith Brady [p], Scott Pearson [p], Bill Shelmerdine [p] (7-0-0).
PAWA-2025-1, Palm Warbler [Yellow] – 11 Nov 2025, Point Defiance Park, Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way, Tacoma, Pierce County. Edward Pullen [w], Steve Knapp [p], Ryan Merril [p], Marcu Roening [p] (7-0-0). NOTE: State first record for this subspecies.
SUTA-2025-2, Summer Tanager – 14 Dec 2025 - 14 Jan 2026, 45th Ave W and W Commodore Way, Seattle, King County. Karen Overstreet [w, p], Neil Zimmerman [w], Roniq Bartanen [p] (7-0-0).
PABU-2025-1, Painted Bunting – 18 Dec 2025, Lakebay, Pierce County. Eric Housam [w, p] (7-0-0).
DICK-2025-1, Dickcissel – 16 Oct 2025, Neah Bay town, Clallam County. Jordan Gunn [p], Alec Roseto [p], Darchelle Worley [p] (7-0-0).
RECORDS ACCEPTED AS CONTINUING SIGHTINGS OF PREVIOUSLY-ACCEPTED RECORDS:
Slaty-backed Gull in Eastern Washington: The committee agreed that the September 2025 – February 2026 record of a Slaty-backed Gull in Grant, Benton and Franklin counties (formerly treated as SLBG-2025-1) is best treated as a returning instance of SLBG-2016-1, the prior sighting of this species in the area the previous eight winters. The two records are merged and treated as SLBG-2016-1.
Dates and observation info for September 2025 – February 2026 occurrence: Slaty-backed Gull – 25 Sep 2025 - 21 Feb 2026, Vernita Bridge Boat Launch, Bateman Island, Kennewick, Pasco, Grant, Benton, Franklin County. Jef Blake [p], Charlotte Byers [p], Denny Granstrand [p], Matt Yawney [p] (7-0-0).
Eastern Song Sparrow at Marymoor Park: The committee agreed that the November 2025 – March 2026 record of an Eastern Song Sparrow in Marymoor Park, King County (formerly treated as SOSP-2025-2) is best treated as a returning instance of SOSP-2025-1, the prior sighting of this subspecies in the area earlier in 2025. The two records are merged and treated as SOSP-2025-1.
Dates and observation info for November 2025 – March 2026 occurrence: Eastern Song Sparrow –26 Nov 2025 - 6 Mar 2026, Marymoor Park, Redmond, King County. Calvin Bobek [p], Michael Hobbs [p], John Puschock [p], Jordan Roderick [p] (7-0-0).
Great-tailed Grackle in Moses Lake: The committee agreed that the September – October 2025 record of a Great-tailed Grackle in Moses Lake, Grant County (formerly treated as GTGR-2025-8) is best treated as a returning instance of GTGR-2023-1. The two records are merged and treated as GTGR-2023-1.
Dates and observation info for September – October 2025 occurrence: Great-tailed Grackle – 3 Sep - 28 Oct 2025, Moses Lake, Grant County. Doug Schonewald (7-0-0).
REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED:
LWFG-2025-1, Lesser White-fronted Goose – 14 Nov 2025, Millersylvania SP, Deep Lake, Thurston County (0-7-0).
BESW-2026-2, Bewick's Tundra Swan – 22 Mar 2026, Sam Bell Rd., Bow, Skagit County. (0-7-0).
WHOS-2025-3, Whooper Swan (2) – 22 Jan 2025, Boon Road, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, Island County (0-6-1).
COEI-2026-1, Common Eider – 16 Jan 2026, Lacamas Park, Camas, Clark County (0-7-0).
GRRO-2026-1, Greater Roadrunner – 27 Jan 2026, Wilson Ranch Road, Mazama, Okanogan County ( 0-7-0).
YBFL-2009-1-revote, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – 30 Aug 2009, Windust Park, Franklin County. (0-7-0). NOTE: In response to many west coast records of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher being questioned by empid authorities, the committee re-reviewed the two previously accepted reports of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, sustaining one and reversing the other.
SEWR-2026-1, Sedge Wren – 9 Feb - 19 Mar 2026, Crockett Lake, Whidbey Island, Island County. (0-6-1).
PSJU-2025-1, Pink-sided Dark-eyed Junco – 13 Dec 2025, Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail, Klickitat County. (0-7-0).
