The records committee of the British Ornithologists' Union (BOURC) has admitted to category A of the British List the Long-billed Murrelet present at Dawlish, Devon, from 7th-14th November 2006. Given the number of observers, the quality of the photos of this bird, its previous vagrancy history (in North America and in Switzerland!) and the absence of this species from captivity, this decision was perhaps not a huge surprise!

Long-billed Murrelet (Brachyramphus perdix) Long-billed Murrelet (Brachyramphus perdix)

BUBO Listing has, up until now, allowed records of this species on all British List authorities as a "provisional" species. The "provisional" status has now been removed from BOU and our "official British & Irish" authorities. The species is still treated as provisional on UK400 club and Birdwatch magazine based lists, until such time as new information comes to light (please Contact Us if you can update this).

See the BOU press release.