Swiss Rarities Committee
The Swiss Rarities Committee (Swiss RC) works independently from any other organisation. It is a member of the Association of European Rarities Committees, AERC and follows its recommandations. Its main task is to check if unusual bird observations are sufficiently documented to be cited in scientific literature. The species concerned either occur rarely in Switzerland or are rarely seen at a specific time of the year or in a particular part of the country. The first breeding records in Switzerland are also examined by the Swiss RC. Any record of a species considered by the Swiss RC should be submitted on the appropriate recording form to:
The Swiss RC also maintains the list of the birds of Switzerland with AERC categories. Members
of the Swiss Rarities Committee (year of entry): Recently
accepted records (pdf files) Accepted records since 1992 (pdf file)
Recording form for the Swiss RC (Word files)
List of species escaped
from captivity in Switzerland (category E) on pdf file
Annual reports of the Swiss Rarities Committee The Swiss RC publishes every year a report in German in Der Ornithologische Beobachter and in French in Nos Oiseaux. 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997- 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 -2003 [German | French] – 2004 [German | French] – 2005 [German | French] – 2006 [German | French] – 2007 [German | French] – 2008 [German | French]
Undeland, P. & H. Leuzinger (1992): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1991. Ornithol. Beob. 89: 253-265. Undeland, P., H. Leuzinger & L. Maumary (1993): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1991. Nos Oiseaux 42: 29-38. Rare birds and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1991. - For 1991 and earlier years, the Swiss Rarities Committee has assessed 91 cases of 44 species. A case is defined as the occurrence of one or several individuals at the same locality during one or several days. Of these cases, 29 were not accepted due to insufficient documentation or obvious misidentification. For sixteen records of 10 species, previously accepted and published, the identification was not considered fully established after re-assessment. The Blue-winged Teal Anas discors, for which there are two records, is now considered to be a vagrant and not a species escaped from captivity. During 1991 there was a strong influx of Longtailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus and also several records of Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus. Two singing River Warblers Locustella fluviatilis were remarkable since it almost doubled the number of records for Switzerland. Other species of mainly eastern origin were a Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia and singing Scarlet Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus at six localities, including one with possible breeding. Between 1900-1988, 362 species considered to be free-living were recorded in Switzerland (Winkler 1989). Since then a further 4 species were recorded: Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens, Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata, Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos and Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus (Schmid 1991). With the addition of Blue-winged Teal to this category, but the deletion of Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis and Twite Carduelis flavirostris, the number of species for Switzerland at the end of 1991 was therefore 365. In the category of species possibly escaped from captivity, Winkler (1989) included 9 species. With the above-mentioned change for Blue-winged Teal, the record of Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis (Schmid 1991), and the records of Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris, American Kestrel Falco sparverius and Saker Falco cherrug, published here, this category thus included 12 species at the end of 1991. [top]
Mosimann, P. (1993): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1992. Ornithol. Beob. 90: 253-265. Mosimann, P. & L. Maumary (1993): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1992. Rapport de la Commission de l'avifaune suisse (CAvS). Nos Oiseaux 42: 211-223. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1992. - In 1992 the Swiss Rarities Committee processed 184 records, involving 72 species, for this and earlier years. 24 cases had to be rejected, due to unsufficient documentation in the majority of cases. In some cases, the bird proved to be of another species than the one claimed. In addition, all records of Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis were re-assessed. Single records of Blue-winged Teal Anas discors, Great Snipe Gallinago media, Twite Carduelis flavirostris, and Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica were reviewed and rejected. During 1992 there was an unprecedented influx of Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis. Even more remarkable were the first Swiss records of both Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti and Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus. The total number of species considered to have occurred in the wild since 1900 is thus 367. A further 8 species were recorded only during last century. Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens and Baikal Teal Anas formosa are added to the category of species possibly escaped from captivity, bringing the total to 14 species. [top]
Maumary, L., B. Volet & H. Leuzinger (1994): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1993. Ornithol. Beob. 91: 217-235. Maumary, L. & B. Volet (1995): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1993. Rapport de la Commission de l'avifaune suisse (CAvS). Nos Oiseaux 43: 95-112. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1993. - In 1993, 179 reports dealing with 79 species have been examined, 82 % of which were accepted. Apart from these recent cases, all records of Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis and Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva have been reviewed. The sole record of Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris has been reconfirmed. The categories A, B, C, D have been introduced, as decided during the international meeting of European Rarities Committees in Heligoland. Feral Rock Dove Columba livia has been introduced in category C. The highlights in 1993 were the first breeding of Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator, the first breeding in the Jura of Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus, the first winter record of Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur, the strongest spring influx ever of Short-toed Calandrella brachydactyla and Calandra Larks Melanocorypha calandra, two influxes of Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla and the observation of a new species: the Twite Carduelis flavirostris. The number of wild bird species recorded in Switzerland since 1900 has now reached 369, taking into account the addition of Feral Rock Dove. Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis has also been recorded for the first time, but has been considered as a possible escape; the D category now includes 15 species. [top]
Leuzinger, H. & P. Mosimann (1995): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1994. Ornithol. Beob. 92: 463-476. Leuzinger, H., P. Mosimann & L. Maumary (1996): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1994. Rapport de la Commission de l'avifaune suisse (CAvS). Nos Oiseaux 43: 345-357. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1994. - In 1994 the Swiss Rarities Committee examined 159 reports of 80 species, 80 % of which were accepted. Furthermore it reviewed all records of Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus, Great Snipe Gallinago media, Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia, and Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator. With the of deletion of Harlequin Duck from the Swiss list, categories A, B and C now contain 376 species, seven of which have been recorded before 1900. There still are 15 species in category D. Highlights in 1994 included the 3rd record of White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii, winter records of long-staying individuals of both Little Egret Egretta garzetta and Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, a Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, the 5th and 6th records of Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria, the 5th record of Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis, two observations away from the breeding areas of Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus, the first record of a Yellow Wagtail showing the characters of Motacilla flava lutea, the 2nd and 3rd records of Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola, and a capture of a Chiffchaff showing the characters of Phylloscopus collybita tristis. The figures after the scientific name give the number of records/individuals from 1900-1991, 1992-1993 and in 1994 respectively. [top]
Maumary, L. & H. Leuzinger (1996): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1995. Ornithol. Beob. 93: 329-342. Maumary, L. (1997): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1995. Nos Oiseaux 44: 33-44. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1995. - In 1995 the Swiss Rarities Committee examined 160 reports on 75 species; 80 % were accepted. Moreover it reviewed all records of Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus. With the addition of Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni to the Swiss list, categories A, B and C (for definition, see Maumary & Volet 1994, 1995) now contain 377 species, including seven reported only before 1900. There are 15 species in category D. Highlights in 1995 were record numbers (16) of Little Crake Porzana parva, 3 observations of Great Snipe Gallinago media, the first record of Pallid Swift Apus pallidus north of the Alps, the first record of Olive-backed Pipit, the first records of female Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica and female Subalpine Warblers Sylvia cantillans, 3 observations of Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis after a gap of four years, and the 5th and 6th records of Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala. In the text, the figures after the scientific name refer to the number of records/individuals, 1900-1991, 1992 1994 and in 1995, respectively. From 1997, the Swiss Rarities Committee will examine all observations of Subalpine Warbler and Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis, and those of Common Tern Sterna hirundo from October 15 to March 15. [top]
Knaus, P. (1997): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1996. Ornithol. Beob. 94: 191-208. Knaus, P. & L. Maumary (1998): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1996. Nos Oiseaux 45: 91-105. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1996. - In 1996, the Swiss Rarities Committee examined 174 reports of 88 species, 77 % of which where accepted. Apart from these recent cases, it reviewed all records of Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus and Two-barred Crossbill Loxia leucoptera as well as the species list in category D (for definition, see Maumary et al. 1994, Maumary & Volet 1995). With the deletion of Two-barred Crossbill and the addition of Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum and White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos to the Swiss list, categories A, B and C now contain 380 species, seven of which have been recorded only before 1900. Six species remain in the category D; Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea and Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis have been transferred to category C. Highlights in 1996 included the first breeding record of Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans, high numbers of Little Crake Porzana parva and Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla, two records of a wintering Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, the first pair of Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala (7th record) and new records of Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax (after 1979) and Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius north of the Alps (after 1968). Blyth's Reed Warbler (in 1992) and White-backed Woodpecker were recorded for the first time in Switzerland, as well as a Jackdaw showing the characters of Corvus monedula soemmerringii. Furthermore, records of rarer species were a Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni in 1995 (2nd), two observations of Blue-winged Teal Anas discors (3rd and 4th), 4th records of White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii, Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus and Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola, a Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica (8th) and a River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis (9th); in category D, remarkable observations included a new record of White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus (2nd record after 1902) and a Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris (3rd). In the text, the figures after the scientific name refer to the number of records/individuals, 1900-1991, 1992-1995 and in 1996, respectively. [top]
Maumary, L. & S. Gysel (1998): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1997. Ornithol. Beob. 95: 259-281. Maumary, L. (1998): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1997. Nos Oiseaux 45: 209-226. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1997. - In 1997 the Swiss Rarities Committee examined 177 reports of 84 species, 78 % of which were accepted. The re-examination of a number of earlier decisions was finished; they will be included in the new Swiss checklist of birds (Winkler in prep.). Highlights of the year included the observation of three Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis (6th record), the first record of a wild Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis, a small influx of Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus, the first breeding record of Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola, the fifth record of Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi, the second Black-eared Wheatear of the subspecies Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca, the twelfth Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, five Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus, the first Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola in the Alps, an unprecedented influx of 30 Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei (2nd to 6th record), the second breeding record of Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula, the first observations of Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus and Great Skua S. skua indicating stays over a relatively long period, and finally the first Yellow-legged Gull of the nominate subspecies Larus c. cachinnans. With the taxonomic change of the Italian Sparrow from Passer domesticus italiae to Passer hispaniolensis italiae, the inclusion of the Red-breasted Goose in category A and the transfer of the American Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica to category D, the Swiss list now comprises 381 species in category A, B (birds of wild origin) and C (introduced species), 374 of which have been recorded since 1900. In the text, the figures after the scientific name refer to the number of records/individuals, 1900 -1991, 1992-1996 and in 1997, respectively. [top]
Knaus, P. & C.'A. Balzari (1999): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1998. Ornithol. Beob. 96: 157-182. Knaus, P., C.'A. Balzari & L. Maumary (2000): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1998. Nos Oiseaux 47: 29-49. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1998. - In
1998 the Swiss Rarities Committee examined 210 reports of 87
species, 85 % of which were accepted. Highlights of uncommon
species of the year included the successful wintering of Garganey Anas querquedula, Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (at
the regular site since February 1996, with another three records)
and Crested Lark Galerida cristata (last record in 1993),
the first winter records of Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus and of an unstreaked Acrocephalus sp., an influx of Great
Northern Divers Gavia immer, Little Crakes Porzana parva, Short-toed Larks Calandrella brachydactyla,
Yellow Wagtails of both subspecies Motacilla flava feldegg and M. f. flavissima as well as Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis, three Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus, two Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus, two
Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus, the first
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus in summer, three
Subalpine Warblers Sylvia cantillans (with the first autumn
record in October) along with alpine records of Kittiwake Rissa
tridactyla (1800 m a.s.l.) and Black-eared Wheatear of the
subspecies Oenanthe h. hispanica (1990 m a.s.l.). 1998
was the best year ever for the Great Skua Stercorarius skua with seven records, among them an outstanding bird staying for
more than 15 months on Lake Geneva. The Common Shelduck Tadorna
tadorna bred for the first two times, the Dotterel Charadrius
morinellus for the second time in the Swiss Alps after 1965.
Northern Gannet Sula bassana in June and Booted
Warbler Hippolais caligata in October were documented
for the first time in Switzerland. Additionally, a Marbled Murrelet
of the Asian subspecies Brachyramphus marmoratus perdix was found dead in December 1997 - an unexpected first record
for the Western Palearctic. Other especially notable rarities
listed in this report are the second records of Yellow Wagtail
showing the characters of Motacilla flava lutea, Olive-backed
Pipit of the subspecies Anthus hodgsoni yunnanensis and
Jackdaws with the characters of the race Corvus monedula soemmerringii,
four Yellow-legged Gulls of the nominate subspecies Larus
c. cachinnans (2nd to 5th record), five White-backed Woodpeckers Dendrocopos leucotos (among them the first pair; 2nd to
5th record), an Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii and a Pied
Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii (3rd records) and two
Pine Buntings Emberiza leucocephalos (3rd and 4th record).
The most amazing reports were of two birds that were both ringed
in the Camargue (France): a Slender-billed Gull Larus genei in May (7th record) and six young Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus
ruber (one of them wore a ring) from September to November
(only the 3rd record of wild birds). Further, a record number
of Ruddy Ducks Oxyura jamaicensis (category C) and the
wintering Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis (since January 1993;
category D) were remarkable.
Maumary, L., M. Baudraz & S. Gysel (2000): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 1999. 9. Bericht der Schweizerischen Avifaunistischen Kommission. Ornithol. Beob. 97: 307-333. Maumary, L. & M. Baudraz (2000): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 1999. 9e rapport de la Commission de l'avifaune suisse. Nos Oiseaux 47: 239-258. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 1999. - In
1999, the Swiss Rarities Committee examined 252 reports of 80
species, 86% of which were accepted. The most extraordinary event
was the deportation of many seabirds from the Atlantic Ocean
by the hurricane « Lothar », which were found at
the end of 1999 and beginning of 2000, among them 6 Great Northern
Divers Gavia immer, 43 European Storm-petrels Hydrobates
pelagicus (3rd-40th records), 1 Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma
castro (1st record), 9 Brent Geese Branta bernicla,
5 Great Skuas Stercorarius skua and 38 Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla. A much awaited highlight was
the first breeding record of the White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos (6th record). Other rare observations were an
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (14th record),
2 Long-legged Buzzards Buteo rufinus (12th and
13th record), 3 Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni (5th and 6th record of the century), the 6th record of Buff-breasted
Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis, an influx of
Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus and Long-tailed
Skuas St. longicaudus, 6 Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei (8th record), the first and second records for Central
Europe of the Herring Gull of the subspecies Larus argentatus
argenteus (one from 1998), 8 « Caspian Gulls » Larus cachinnans cachinnans (7th to 14th record) with
the first recovery of a ringed bird, a repeated influx of Short-toed
Larks Calandrella brachydactyla and « Black-headed
Yellow Wagtails » Motacilla flava feldegg, the first
documented records of the « Iberian Yellow Wagtail » M. f. iberiae, the 7th record of Citrine Wagtail Motacilla
citreola, the 6th of Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi,
the 11th of Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia, the
12th of Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala, the 12th
of Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus of the century and un
influx of Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis (winter
1998/99).
Preiswerk, G. & P. Knaus (2001): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 2000. 10. Bericht der Schweizerischen Avifaunistischen Kommission. Ornithol. Beob. 98: 281-306. Preiswerk, G., P. Knaus & L. Maumary (2001): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 2000. 10e rapport de la Commission de l'avifaune suisse. Nos Oiseaux 48: 257-276. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 2000. - In 2000 the Swiss
Rarities Committee examined 257 reports of 95 species, 88 % of which were
accepted. The effects of hurricane «Lothar» at the end of
1999 were still marked at the beginning of 2000 with observations of 5
Great Northern Divers Gavia immer, 5 European Storm-petrels Hydrobates
pelagicus (38th to 42nd record), 1 Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus,
7 Great Skuas S. skua and 8 Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla as well as 1 Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius (in 1999). Other
highlights included the first records of Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis and White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis, the second and third
breeding records of White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos,
an influx of Pygmy Cormorants Phalacrocorax pygmaeus (1st to 4th
record since 1900), the largest flock ever with about 15 Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus and the first Italian Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
italiae on the Swiss Plateau. Especially notable rarities listed in
this report are the second records of Northern Gannet Sula bassana and Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens, the third Yellow
Wagtail showing the characters of Motacilla flava iberiae, the
5th record of Blue-winged Teal Anas discors, «Siberian Chiffchaff» Phylloscopus collybita tristis and Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos,
the 7th Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi, 3 Sociable Plovers Chettusia
gregaria and 3 Citrine Wagtails Motacilla citreola (8th to
10th record for each), 2 Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei (9th),
1 River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis (10th), 1 Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus and 1 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla (13th
record since 1900 for both) and the 14th record of Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (in 1999), Sabine's Gull L. sabini and Calandra
Lark Melanocorypha calandra.
Maumary, L. & S. Gysel (2002): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 2001. 11. Bericht der Schweizerischen Avifaunistischen Kommission. Ornithol. Beob. 99: 249-275. Maumary, L. (2002): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 2001. 11e rapport de la Commission de l'avifaune suisse. Nos Oiseaux 49: 229-248. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 2001. - In 2001 the Swiss
Rarities Committee examined 233 reports of 90 species, 89 % of which were
accepted; an additional 25 records refer to past years. Major rarities
were a Northern Gannet Sula bassana (3rd record), again a Pygmy
Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmaeus (5th record), 7 Red-breasted Geese Branta ruficollis (2nd and 3rd record during the winter 2000/01),
a "Steppe Buzzard" Buteo buteo vulpinus (1st documented
record), a Great Bustard Otis tarda (after almost 40 years of absence),
an Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii (4th record), a Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata (2nd record in 2000) and a Pine Grosbeak Pinicola
enucleator (3rd record). Other interesting sightings were a calling
Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla, the 3rd and 4th Red-breasted Flycatchers Ficedula parva singing for more than one week, the 2nd Pallid Swift Apus pallidus outside the Ticino, influxes of Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans and Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus and new breeding records of the following species: Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax
carbo (1st breeding record of wild birds), White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos (4th to 7th breeding record), Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (2nd breeding record in the Valais in the
20th century) and Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis (3rd breeding
record after 1975). The revision of old specimens at the Natural History
Museum in Geneva and of potential Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea specimens led to the identification of two new species and one new subspecies
for the Swiss list: Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan (in 1866),
Common Redpoll (4 specimens in 1893, 1965, 1972 and 1973) and "Pale-bellied
Brent Goose" Branta bernicla hrota (in 1836). The first specimen
of a Peregrine Falcon of the subspecies Falco peregrinus calidus (in 1960) was also discovered on this occasion.
Schweizer, M. (2003): Seltene Vogelarten und ungewöhnliche Vogelbeobachtungen in der Schweiz im Jahre 2002. 12. Bericht der Schweizerischen Avifaunistischen Kommission. Ornithol. Beob. 100: 293-314. Schweizer, M. & L. Maumary (2003): Oiseaux rares et observations inhabituelles en Suisse en 2002. 12e rapport de la Commission de l'avifaune suisse. Nos Oiseaux 50: 261-276. Rare and unusual bird observations in Switzerland in 2002. - In 2002 the Swiss
Rarities Committee examined 175 reports of 75 species, 84 % of which were
accepted; an additional 15 records refer to past years. Major rarities
in the year 2002 were an adult Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus (3rd record), an adult White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis (4th record since 1900), a "Steppe Buzzard" Buteo buteo
vulpinus (2nd documented record) and the fifth observation of a Sociable
Plover Chettusia gregaria in the same area (Grosses Moos) since
2000. As in 2001, 4 broods of the White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos
leucotos were found and a singing male Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula
parva was observed again in the same area as in 2001. Other interesting
sightings included the biggest influx ever of Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius
longicaudus (at least 23 individuals), the first overwintering Black
Kite Milvus migrans, a Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris (2nd spring record), a Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra (earliest
spring record ever), the third visit of the same colour ringed Greater
Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber to the Chablais de Cudrefin and a
marked Monk Vulture Aegypius monachus from the Grands Causses (France),
the first observation since 1938 and the eighth for Switzerland. After
the first record in 1917, breeding of the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus was confirmed for the second time in 1999.
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