Nate Swick

Highlights this week include a Lesser Sand-Plover on the central coast of California, a very nice bird away from Alaska. Plus a hummingbird first for South Carolina and a spate of notable Northern Wheatear and Magnificent Frigatebird records in the midwest and east.

A Variegated Flycatcher in Florida is only the 8th for the ABA, plus 1st record Snowy Plover in New York and Yellow-footed Gull in New Mexico.

ABA Area rarities hanging around for another week include the young Common Shelduck (ABA Code 4) in Quebec, the long-staying Berylline Hummingbird (4) in Arizona, and littles on opposite sides of the continent with Little Stint (4) in California and a Little Egret (4) in Delaware. It's the time of year when rare bird fans look to Alaska, and Gambell continues to build on the great birds we noted a couple weeks ago. The most exciting of which was a Middendorf's Grasshopper Warbler (4), but also at least 2 Dusky Warblers (4), and 3 or more Siberian Accentors (4). read more >>

Hurricane Ida drops surprising tubenoses on Florida's Gulf coast. Plus potential 1sts in Labrador and Texas that come too late to chase, but not too late to appreciate.

Previously reported rare birds in the ABA Area continuing into this week include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona, Little Egret (4) in Delaware, and the ABA 2nd record Inca Tern (5) in Hawaii. The postbreeding dispersal of wading birds has taken a lot of the attention this summer, with the incredible spread of species like Roseate Spoonbill, Limpkin, and Wood Stork this year, but wandering hummingbirds can't be dismissed either, as they come to the fore this week highlighted by Illinois's 2nd record of Mexican Violetear (3), a gorgeous bird at a feeder in Lake. read more >>

The Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) continues in southeast Arizona as it has all summer, along with a Little Egret (4) in Delaware and the ABA Area's 2nd record of Inca Tern (5) still on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Given the incredible irruption of southern waders into the northeast of the ABA Area this summer, perhaps the discovery of a Roseate Spoonbill in Berkshire, Massachusetts, shouldn't be surprising. But it's a 1st record nonetheless, the fourth such 1st involving this species so far in 2021. And if that wasn't enough, a White Ibis was photographed in Middlesex for read more >>

We're back after a week off with lots to report! Maine's 1st Masked Booby, Rhode Island's 1st Black-bellied Whistling Duck, and Roseate Spoonbill 1sts for New Hampshire and DC.

This week's report of continuing rare birds in the ABA Area is highlighted by the return of the Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) that has been wandering around the eastern mainland of Canada to New Brunswick, having spent a couple weeks up the coast in eastern Quebec. The Berylline Hummingbird (4) is still being seen, as is the year's second Inca Tern (5) in on Oahu island in Hawaii. It's the time of year for post-season wanders and Maryland benefits from the late summer trend with the discovery of a Little Egret (4) in Anne Arundel, the read more >>

An Oriental Turtle-Dove in British Columbia this week is only the 6th record for North America away from Alaska, and Mississippi and Michigan enjoy 1st records.

The Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona is the sole remaining rare bird in the ABA Area that has continued into this week, but fear not, this new week sees some pretty exceptional birds. It's hard to beat a a Steller's Sea-Eagle (4) for drama, but the bird originally seen in New Brunswick a couple weeks ago is exceptional for reasons beyond being one of the world's most iconic birds. This week the bird moved up the Quebec coast to Gaspé, where it represents a provincial first. But perhaps the most extraordinary thing is that read more >>

Continuing ABA Area rarities include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona and Little Egret (4) in Maine. We begin in the far northwest, where rare shorebird season begins with a bang in the form of British Columbia's 3rd record of Wood Sandpiper in Victoria, a well-documented individual. That wasn't the only noteworthy find in the province, as a Great-tailed Grackle in Colwood represents BC's 7th. In Nevada, a young Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in Clark represents the state's 2nd record and the first in nearly 30 years. A compelling report of a Eared Quetzal (4) comes from Cochise, Arizona, where read more >>

Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona and a pair of littles on opposites sides of the continent, Little Egret (4) in Maine and Little Stint (4) in Alaska. A Steller's Sea-Eagle (4) first reported several months ago on St. Paul's Island, Alaska also made a re-appearance this week. Birders in the Last Frontier have wasted no time putting that state back on the rarity map as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wane. While not all of the birding outposts are manned as they have been in the past, other sites are read more >>

The wandering Heermann's Gull makes a stop in South Carolina, the 6th state for which is represents a 1st. Plus Montana's 1st and 2nd records of Neotropic Cormorant come one right after another.

Notable birds continuing in the ABA Area into this week include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona, Little Egret (4) in Maine, and Bahama Mockingbird (4) in Florida. While it's not uncommon for southern birds to move northward as the temperature warms, this summer has seemed unprecedented in terms of numbers and species represented. And this week's rarity outlook continues this trend. Ohio's 2nd record of White-tailed Kite was seen in Harrison this week. Notably it was not that long ago that Ohio had its first record of this southern southern plains raptor. And Ohio was not read more >>

Notable ABA rarities continuing into this week include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona, the Pallas's Bunting (5) on Gambell, Alaska, and the small flock of Tamaulipas Crows (4) in south Texas. The drive to migrate that propelled the last month of vagrants in the ABA Area has wained a bit, and the list is shorter than it has been in a few weeks, but there are still birds moving and with the prospect of post-breeding dispersal on the horizon, it won't be long before we're in good birds all over the US and Canada. read more >>

Noteworthy ABA Area rarities continuing into this week in the ABA Area include both Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) and Tufted Flycatcher (5) in Arizona, the return of the annual Little Egret (4) in Maine, a small flock of Tamaulipas Crows (4) in  Texas, and Black-faced Grassquit (4) in Florida. Southern birds coming north is a pretty well-established patter for vagrancy, but this year has been exception in that regard. The poster bird for this movement, at least so far, comes from Colorado, where a stunning Yellow Grosbeak (4) has been visiting a feeder in Huerfano. This read more >>

The list of continuing rarities in the ABA Area has been whittled to two this week, the shortest it has been in months. Both are relatively recent arrivals to Arizona in a Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) and a Tufted Flycatcher (5). Seabirding pelagics out of Hatteras, North Carolina, has a reputation for producing the unexpected, and they've done it again this week. A Wedge-tailed Shearwater seen in the Gulf Stream off Hatteras represents a 1st record for the state and only the 2nd for the Atlantic Ocean. This bird has shades of the "in the read more >>

Tufted Flycatchers return to southern Arizona along with summery weather. We also saw 1st records from Oregon, North Carolina, Iowa, and Nebraska this week.

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider traveling to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We're almost through this.  ABA Area read more >>

New Hampshire's 1st record Virginia's Warbler highlights a week that also saw Flame-colored Tanager in Texas and Garganey in New Brunswick.

A Phylloscopus warbler in Ontario is likely a Yellow-browed Warbler, a first for the province and an incredible vagrant bird for spring in North America.

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider traveling to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We're almost through this.  Continuing rarities in read more >>

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider traveling to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We're almost through this.  Continuing rare read more >>

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider whether they should travel to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We're almost through this.  read more >>

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider traveling to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We're almost through this.  We have read more >>

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider traveling to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We're almost through this.  Our continuing read more >>

A young Inca Tern on the big island of Hawai'i would represent not only a 1st for the state, but for the ABA Area.

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider traveling to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We're almost through this.  Notable continuing read more >>

Though COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces are declining, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to read more >>

Cold weather in Mexico could drive southern birds across the Rio Grande in to the ABA Area. Indeed, a remarkable Blue Bunting in San Antonio and a Yellow-faced Grassquit in Brownsville could be the first of many.

Lots of continuing ABA rarities are joined by 1st state records from Georgia (Heermann's Gull) and Connecticut (Great Skua). Plus Nova Scotia boasts a remarkable 5 individual Redwings!

Redwings continue to show on both coasts of the ABA Area, with one in British Columbia and two in Nova Scotia.

More thrushes to report, this time in Maine where two Redwings represent the state's 1st and 2nd records.

The thrush rush continues with Redwings in Newfoundland and New Brunswick! Also Little Gull in Mississippi and Black-headed Grosbeak in Maine.

Because of rising COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a read more >>

Because of rising COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a read more >>

Because of rising COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a read more >>

A Hawfinch in Yukon Territory, a territorial 1st and a 1st for Canada, is a fantastic way to end the year in rarities. Plus 1st records for Tennessee, Virginia, and Delaware.

The ABA's 4th Spotted Rail in south Texas certainly feels like a 1st. It's joined by 1st records from Wisconsin, Nevada, and South Carolina.

A Tundra Bean-Goose highlights what has been an extraordinary week for rare birds in the Philadelphia area. Also Empidonax flycatchers represent 1st records for North Carolina and Nova Scotia.

The ABA's 7th Ruddy Ground-Dove in Key West, Florida, is the latest in a string of good birds in the Sunshine State. This week also saw 1st records of Cassin's Kingbird in Tennessee and Barnacle Goose in the District of Columbia.

A stunning male Blue Bunting in south Texas highlights the week that also sees south Texas-y 1sts like Great Kiskadee in Illinois and Couch's Kingbird in Virginia.

It's La Sagra's season in south Florida, with a bird showing up right on time in the Florida Keys. Also 1st records for Michigan, Prince Edward Island, and possibly Virginia.

It's a great week for wayward flycatchers in the ABA Area, with Variegated Flycatcher in Ontario, Cuban Pewee in Florida, and Newfoundland's 1st record of Vermilion Flycatcher. British Columbia, Ohio, and Idaho also host 1sts this week.

Virginia becomes the latest state in 2020 to host a Gray Heron, the farthest south this species has been seen in the ABA Area and only the 2nd Lower 48 record. Also, Ash-throated Flycatchers spread across the continent and Evening Grosbeaks hit Florida!

It's Novembird! And the month begins with a real bang in the form of Rhode Island's 1st Common Cuckoo, as well as 1st Yellow-eyed Junco for Kansas and Pacific Golden-Plover for Connecticut.

Arizona leads with continuing rarities for yet another week, headlined by Eared Quetzals (ABA Code 4) and a Northern Jacana (4). Florida continues to host a Black-faced Grassquit (4)  and California has a Red-footed Booby (4). What a week for rare birds with a pair of absolute stunners for the ABA Area. We'll start with the one that many birders got to enjoy up in British Columbia. A Red-backed Shrike (5) in Powell River is the ABA Area's 2nd record (or 2.5th depending on how you count the northern California hybrid from years ago). That first bird, read more >>

Continuing rarities in the ABA Area come from the south, with the European Golden-Plover (ABA Code 4) in New Mexico still hanging on, and Northern Jacana (4) and Eared Quetzal (4) still being seen in Arizona, at least through the beginning of the week. Florida birders are also keeping tabs on the Red-legged Thrush (5) and Black-faced Grassquit (4) in the Keys. Fall is peak vagrant time for the west coast, and Oregon is coming on strong as they have for the last couple weeks. Most exciting is the potential state 1st Oriental Greenfinch seen in read more >>

As it has all summer and well into the fall, the southwest part of the ABA Area has been full of great birds. This week is no exception, especially with continuing rarities like European Golden-Plover (ABA Code 4) in New Mexico, and Eared Quetzal (4), Northern Jacana (4), and Berylline Hummingbird (4) in Arizona. Alaska has been quieter this year because of the pandemic, but birders willing to travel round the mainland have had some luck. Mostly notably with a Song Thrush (5) in Utqiagvik. This is not only an Alaska 1st but an ABA Area 2nd read more >>

Fall 2020 continues to be a good one, with multiple 1st records this week including an extraordinary European Golden-Plover in New Mexico of all places. Also 1sts for NC, CT, OH, and DE.

The amazing Eared Quetzal irruption continues and New Mexico gets into the fun with its 1st record. Northwest Territories boasts a 1st Nashville Warbler and British Columbia hosts a strange pairing of Red-legged Kittiwake and Nazca Booby.

Northern Wheatears turn up in Pennsylvania, Ontario, and Massachusetts this week. New Jersey's 1st Wood Sandpiper, South Dakota's 1st Painted Redstart, and Florida's 1st Hermit Warbler.

Hurricane Sally made landfall this week, bringing Mississippi's 1st record of Red-footed Booby with it. Oregon also gets a 1st with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. And Black-throated Gray Warblers and Neotropic Cormorants continue to turn up across the east.

A bunch of 1st records to report this week - Brewer's Sparrow in PA, Common Ringed Plover in VT, and Bell's Vireo in BC. But the highlight is Massachusetts's (and the Lower 48's) 1st record of Gray Heron near Nantucket Island.

Hurricane Laura brought multiple Band-rumped Storm-Petrels into the Midwest, including Indiana's 1st. But the bird of the week was a stunning adult Steller's Sea Eagle (ABA Code 4) at Denali NP in Alaska.

Brown Boobys are all over the midwest, with birds in Tennessee, Ontario, and Ohio, the latter representing the state's 1st. But bird of the week comes from Florida where Thick-billed Vireos have evidently nested for a second straight year.

There aren't as many birders in Alaska this fall but there are still plenty of birds, like three Oriental Greenfinches in Unalaska. Also Utah and Washington boast state 1sts this week.

Swallow-tailed Kites continue to make a major push into the northeast and Great Lakes, but the discovery of a Brown Booby on the Current River of Missouri, a state 1st, takes the cake as the bird of the week.

August means vagrant kites and wandering waders, but an Alabama state 1st South Polar Skua is a fantastic highlight of a weather-full week in the ABA Area.

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy. everyone. Both continuing rarities we're keeping read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy. everyone. Migration is fully on now, read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy. everyone. The Garganey (ABA Code read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy. everyone. It's Ruff season across much read more >>

Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring migration. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA's Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this unusual time and we urge birders, whether they are members of not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy. everyone. Shockingly, we have read more >>

We're still going to continue doing this weekly feature even while COVID-19 is making birding and, especially, rarity chasing more difficult. Please abide by state and local restrictions on movement and CDC recommendations on groups. We at the ABA still believe that birding can be practiced responsibly in this strange time, and we urge birders in our community to take these precautions seriously so that we can continue to do so. In returning vagrants, the Garganey (ABA Code 4) in California was seen into this week. The Florida rarities we hd been keeping tabs on for several read more >>

Zugunruhe is taking hold among our remaining ABA Area vagrants. Well, zugunruhe or the fact that the sites where they are found are closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak (in the case of the long-staying La Sagra's Flycatcher in Florida at least).

Birders are self-isolating but that doesn't yet mean we can't go out birding provided we take proper precautions. You may as well take advantage of this time to find some interesting birds. Even in this strange time, the continuing foursome of notable ABA vagrants is the same as it has been for a while. Thick-billed Vireo (ABA Code 4) and La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) in Florida, a Garganey (4) in California, and that Siberian Accentor (4) Washington. It's getting ridiculous in south Texas with regard to Fork-tailed Flycatchers (3) and one more--I think the third this year--was found read more >>

Noteworthy birds in the ABA Area not practicing social distancing from ABA Area birders this week (I'm so sorry), include the the Siberian Accentor (ABA Code 4) in Washington, the Garganey (4) in California, and continuing La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) and Thick-billed Vireo (4) in Florida. It was another relatively slow week around the ABA Area in terms of rare birds, but a Great Cormorant in Elbert, Georgia is a nice bird much farther south than one would typically expect this species. The most noteworthy new bird of the week comes from Iowa, where a Smew (4) read more >>

Still continuing into the first week of spring, at least meteorologically speaking, Garganey (ABA Code 4) in California, and the Caribbean pair of La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) and Thick-billed Vireo (4) Florida. The Siberian Accentor (4) in Washington was seen into this week as well, a real treat for birders still looking to see this special Siberian vagrant. We are well into the early spring doldrums with regard to significant ABA Area rarities, though your part of the continent is probably seeing an increase in bird song of late and activity if my neighborhood is any read more >>

Washington continues to host a Siberian Accentor (4) into this week, and Florida birders are continuing to keep track of a pair of Caribbean specialities in the south of the state in the form of a Thick-billed Vireo (4) and a La Sagra’s Flycatcher (4).

Rare birds continuing into the third week of February include the stunning Siberian Accentor (ABA Code 4) in Washington, plus of familiars La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) in Florida and Garganey (4) in California. There was one first record to report this week, in North Carolina where a Bronzed Cowbird visiting a feeder in Carteret would be a state 1st. Bronzed Cowbird is typically a bird of the south-central and southwest of the ABA Area but has been moving eastward in recently years to the point where it is uncommon but regular in Florida. And speaking of Florida, read more >>

IVORY GULL in Montana! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR in Washington! Late winter is producing some interesting rare birds across the ABA Area. Get caught up at the ABA's Rare Bird Alert.

As with last week, a La Sagra's Flycatcher (ABA Code 4) in Florida and a Garganey (4) in California represent the continuing continental rarities. Newfoundland has had an excellent winter for Redwing (4), and the third of the season was found this week in Clarenville, not entirely unexpected this time of year in the eastern most point of North America. Photo: Pauline Drover, used with permission It has already been a noteworthy winter for vagrant alcids, and Connecticut joins the fun with its 10th Thick-billed Murre seen near Stonington. It's an alcid kind of read more >>

Exciting for Oregon this week was a Mountain Plover discovered in Clatsop. The bird is quite close, as the plover flies, from an individual in extreme southwestern Washington a few weeks ago, and birders have speculated that this might be the same bird having relocated across the mouth of the Columbia River.

Continuing rare birds in the ABA Area include the La Sagra’s Flycatcher (ABA Code 4) in Florida and a female Garganey (4) in California.

Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include a Garganey (ABA Code 4) in California, both La Sagra’s Flycatcher (4) and Antillean Palm-Swift (5) in Florida, and a Streak-backed Oriole (4) continuing to visit a feeder in Arizona.

Welcome to 2020! As is typically the case, we ease into the rare bird world  at the top of the year. But there are a couple nice state firsts for those birders looking to get their year lists off right.