Date: 8/16/26 7:43 pm From: Malcolm Gold <malcolmgold...> Subject: KBRC and eBird filters - Empid Flycatchers in western Kansas and Ravens
Hello Birders,
The Kansas Bird Records Committee (KBRC) decided earlier this spring to
investigate Empidonax flycatcher migration in western Kansas. This venture
is primarily to clarify the status and timing of Empidonax flycatchers
through that area of the state. To understand these patterns, eBird filters
for western counties (defined as Norton down to Clark and westward) have
been set to zero for the following species: Yellow-bellied, Alder, Willow,
Acadian, Hammond's, Gray, Dusky, and Western Flycatchers. The only Empid
flycatcher that is not flagged in eBird and not on the KBRC review list in
the westward third of the state is the Least Flycatcher.
KBRC also decided to continue the investigation into the status and
distribution of ravens statewide. Because of the identification difficulty
involved, Chihuahuan and Common Raven filters in eBird have been set to
zero statewide.
Documentation of the above species as well as other species on the KBRC
review list is critical. Please photograph all Empidonax flycatchers of the
above species especially in the westerly third of the state and equally
important, please attempt to audio record vocalizations using Merlin (don't
forget to immediately save a file!). Please *add* these to your eBird
checklists. Additionally, please photograph and audio record all ravens.
You can submit a KBRC report or send an eBird checklist with documentation.
If you have photographs and documentation of past observations, this
evaluation will also consider looking at past records. As is the case with
any rare or high count observation in eBird, proper documentation is
requested. Here is an article from Cornell describing “documentation”
which includes expectations if a clear photo or recording isn’t possible.
Please do not fret if you receive an inquiry from any state eBird reviewer
or member of the KBRC committee asking for additional clarification, your
sightings and information are extremely helpful to further the
understanding of status and timing.
