1^st Round
(5 Accept, 2 Reject)

2^nd Round
(7 Accept, 0 Reject)

Shirley Sturts -- Accept

Experienced observer, especially familiar with waterfowl, even though this was his first Brant. Brant is not likely to be mixed up with another species by observer with Pat Cole's experience

12-10-2006 -- 2nd Voting Round.

Shirley Sturts -- Accept

based on the comments by Doug Schonewald secretary WBRC

Chuck Trost -- Accept

Competent observer, adequate (barely) description.

12-11-2006 -- 2nd Voting Round.

chuck trost -- Accept

The Washington comments helped, and one of the Montana records was from May. I agree that it may be an escapee, but am sure he saw a brant.

Cliff Weisse -- Accept

I don't think there are any other species that could be easily confused with Brant. The description does an adequate job of covering the necessary field marks to confirm the identification and nothing in the description is inconsistent with Brant.

12/11/2006 -- 2nd Voting Round.

Cliff Weisse -- Accept

Further research suggests that there is no reason to suspect that this individual was an escapee. Although there is no precedence for this species during the summer months in Idaho, it seems plausible based on the history of occurence on the Pacific coast, in Washington, during summer. Nothing that suggests captive origin was reported.

Dave Trochlell -- Accept

Pat's description is uncomfortably brief, but does convince me that he saw a Brant. I vote to accept this as a record, but sincerely wish we had more complete documentation on this candidate.

12-15-2006 -- 2nd Voting Round.

Dave Trochlell -- Accept

Although the season of occurrence is odd, I still wish to accept this candidate as a record, since it is possible that the bird was a nonbreeding vagrant as Doug suggested.

Carlisle -- Reject, natural occurrence questionable

Though the description is not especially detailed, I am convinced the observer saw a Brant.

My question has to do with what an adult Brant (had to be adult with white neck band) would be doing in Idaho in late June. How do we know if this was a wild bird? What precedence is there for summer sightings of this species away from its normal range?

12-11-06 -- 2nd Voting Round.

Carlisle -- Accept

While still hesitant about the timing (wild origin) and wishing for a more thorough description, the information about summering birds on the coast has swayed me.

Charles Swift -- Reject, specific identification not established

It is tempting to vote yes on this bird as it is hard to imagine what else it could be. Nevertheless, the description is a bit vague and the date of the record (June 30) seems highly unlikely for this species in Idaho.

1/11/07 -- 2nd Voting Round.

Charles Swift -- Accept

Despite the strange date, I believe that Pat Cole did observe a Bant and that it was most likely a wild bird. I don't think the summer coastal records are relevant here but there is a summer record for Montana which provides something of a precedent. It is hard to know what this bird was doing in n. Idaho in June - injured northbound migrant, failed breeder?? Certainly a strange date for this species.

Dumroese -- Accept

Minimal but correct details.

01-02-2007 -- 2nd Voting Round.

dumroese -- Accept

Although the June date is odd, I still favor accepting this record.