URF stands for ‘Unusual Record Form’. This is the standard form that the Records Committee uses when assessing records of unusual and rare species in Hong Kong. Acceptance of an unusual record via a URF allows it to be published in the next HK Bird Report.
The Records Committee has completed assessment of all 156 URFs required for the 2011 HK Bird Report. For the first time, these include URFs for all earliest and latest date records as well as rare species records. As a result, we expect to publish the 2011 Report by January 2013.
The results of the URF assessments are included in this Excel File
http://www.geoffwelch46.com/URF121014.xls
The File gives current HK List numbers, ID (Avifauna) numbers, species name, date of record, location, name on URF, status of URF and comment. Status of URF may be
Accept – accepted as a Category I or II record, sometimes with a comment. All these records will appear in the main Systematic List of the 2011 HK Bird Report
Accept Cat III - identity accepted, but as a Category III record, possible ex-captive. These records will also appear in the 2011 HK Bird Report, mainly in the Category III section
Not Proven – not accepted. ‘Not Proven’ does not mean the record is incorrect, it only means that the evidence provided does not prove the record beyond reasonable doubt
Recirculate – currently being reviewed by the Committee
Pending – currently being held awaiting further information
The name on the URF is not necessarily the finder’s name. Also some members may be surprised to find their name on a record. This is because the record has been taken off the website using photographs and other details submitted there. Also some of the names are those used on the website, where the individual’s actual name is not known.
If you have any comments on your records, wish to add anything or correct mistakes, tell me your real name or anything else, please contact me on my email address
geoffwelch46 at yahoo.co.uk
Geoff Welch
Secretary, Records Committee
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Last edited by wgeoff at 14/10/2012 18:05 ]