March 2023 Photo Quiz
Driving down the road, you spot what seems an odd-looking bird for one perched on a roadside wire. You stop and get only a one- or two-second view before your presence flushes the bird into the nearby woodlot on private property.
WEBINAR: Birding & Nature Study on the Southern Ocean
ABA Members can view the recording of this webinar here: https://www.aba.org/community/groups/programs-webinars/ The American Birding Association kicks off our Programs and Webinars, exclusively for members, with this outstanding travelogue by Ted Floyd. What: Join longtime Birding magazine Editor Ted Floyd for a virtual journey to the end of the Earth. Our expedition will take us from Tierra del Fuego to the Falklands to legendary South Georgia to the “Ice Continent” itself, Antarctica. Along the way, we will encounter staggering numbers of seabirds and marine mammals, along with otherworldly snowscapes and exhilarating seascapes. The presentation will be illustrated read more >>
Hawaii: Summer 2022
Summer 2022: 1 Jun–31 Jul Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A. and J. Rothe. 2022. Summer 2022: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eMo> North American Birds. Summer in the Hawaii Region tends to be a relatively uneventful season for birding. Overwintering ducks and shorebirds have typically long since departed the region for their breeding grounds, though the occasional individual opts to remain in the islands rather than brave the perils of another trans-Pacific journey. Outside of typical migration windows, large oceanic storm systems represent the best chance to deliver rarities to the islands; read more >>
Oregon and Washington: Winter 2021-2022
Fall 2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Eric Heisey heiseyew@gmail.com Adrian Hinkle adrian.hinkle@gmail.com Christopher Hinkle christopher.hinkle2@gmail.com Recommended citation: Heisey, E., Hinkle, A., Hinkle, C. 2022. Winter 2021–2022: Oregon-Washington. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eM9> North American Birds. There were few Covid-19-related cancellations, with good turnout on most CBCs. A single early December pelagic trip out of Newport ran as scheduled. December was wet, cold, and windy, with unusually low-elevation westside snow and ice during CBC season. Snowy conditions close to sea level led to the cancellation of the Yaquina Bay CBC in late December. Some other coastal CBCs suffered from read more >>
Volunteer Your Time and Talent!
Many of us can attribute our passion for birding to the people and groups who fostered our interest. A great way to give back to the birding community is to volunteer for a committee or board role with the ABA. We are looking for help in a number of areas to help guide the organization in its growth. These are opportunities to make a real difference in the organization and to work with some of the most accomplished birders on the continent. Here are the areas of talent we are looking for support in: Consumer Marketing: The read more >>
Bird of the Year tour to Texas’ Rio Grande Valley
November 2-6, 2023
Coexistence to Conserve
Indigenous Birders, Cattle Ranchers, and Conservation in Latin America
Birding and bird photography have become popular pursuits in Latin America, and, for many, even a career. This development applies also to Indigenous communities, where some people have discovered that they can use birding as a way to protect the area they live in while deriving a livelihood.
February 2023 Photo Quiz
While some may be confounded by this photo quiz, others will nail it immediately. One of the benefits of really looking at birds, really studying them, is the little kernels of knowledge that such scrutiny can impart, items that might, down the road, enable certain ID of a bird seen poorly.
Southern Atlantic: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Josh Jackson decaturjosh@gmail.com Rich Jackson rjcos@me.com Recommended citation: Jackson, J., and R. Jackson. 2021. Fall 2020: Southern Atlantic. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eCv> North American Birds. It was a wetter and warmer than average fall across most of GA, SC, and NC, and a record 30 tropical storms were given names in the North Atlantic Basin. The continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a number of new birders finding entertainment in their backyards or chasing notable rarities, such as the Brown Booby that remained on GA’s Lake Lanier for more than two read more >>
An Overview of Early Fall 2022 Southern Rockies Irruptions and a Primer on Bird Irruptions
Some folks lament the transition into cold weather seasons, as days grow shorter and nights dip toward frigid temperatures, but for many birders, fall and winter provide an opportunity to observe a fascinating and sometimes unpredictable phenomenon: dispersal and migration following the breeding season.
Arkansas & Louisiana: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Lyndal York lrbluejay@gmail.com Recommended citation: York, L. 2023. Fall 2020: Arkansas Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eAP> North American Birds. Seasonal Highlights include Common Ground-Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Yellow Rail, Black Rail, Long-billed Curlew, Laughing Gull, Swallow-tailed Kite, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, and Evening Grosbeak. WATERFOWL THROUGH GALLINULES An estimated 20,000 Greater White-fronted Geese were just east of Lodge’s Corner, Arkansas Co 15 Oct (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols). Sea ducks this season included a Surf Scoter at Big Lake WMA, Mississippi Co 2 Nov (Timothy P. Jones); a single Black Scoter at Alma Wastewater Plant, read more >>
Snowy Owl Viewing Ethics
Closer to Owls, but in the Right Ways.
Snowy Owls are one of the most recognized and beloved birds in the world. To protect them, it’s essential that birders enjoy these birds ethically.
January 2023 Photo Quiz
There are at least two features that often distinguish between skilled, experienced birders and others when it comes to large flocks of birds. The first is the understanding that just because many or most of the individuals of a large flock of birds appear to be referable to the same species does not necessarily mean that such an assumption is true for the entire flock.
New England: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–31 May Greg Hanisek ctgregh@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hanisek, G. 2022. Spring 2022: New England. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eux> North American Birds. Shorebirds were noteworthy among a variety of early arrivals. In Massachusetts only two species, American Oystercatcher and Whimbrel, were later than the average arrival date for this century. An April 11–12 cold front produced what veteran observer Rick Heil considered one of the best April fallouts he's seen on Plum Island. Sub-regional Compilers Louis Bevier (Maine), Kent MacFarland (Vermont), Steve Mirick (New Hampshire), Bob Stymeist, Neil Heyward (Massachusetts), Rachel Farrell (Rhode Island), read more >>
Crested Terns in Florida
While the tern complex does not contain as many species as the gull complex and therefore is not as confounding, the identification of Thalasseus terns nonetheless can be challenging. In addition to the normal variation in body size and coloration of bare parts such as bills and legs, identification can be hampered by continent-crossing vagrants that may breed with related species in both North America and in Europe, creating hybrids and back-crosses.
Job Announcement for Membership & Communications Manager
About the American Birding Association The American Birding Association (ABA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission to inspire all people to enjoy and protect wild birds. The ABA supports the North American birding community through publications, field trips and travel, educational programs, young birder programs, rare bird alerts, and up to date information on taxonomy. The ABA maintains the ABA Checklist of Species and provides the birding Code of Ethics. The ABA has 14 staff across the United States. The headquarters is in Delaware City, DE currently occupied by one staff person. Learn more at read more >>
Field Identification of Subspecies
An important goal of almost every birder is to identify birds correctly. To that end, one of the joys of birding is that there is always more to learn. As we study and gain experience in the field, we become more attuned to look for the best marks that lead to proper identifications.
December 2022 Photo Quiz
While some might immediately recognize the species represented here, others may have to work out the ID. That difference is often the primary one between skilled, experienced birders and others. Research on how skilled practitioners of birding has shown that such use a different portion of their brains to identify individuals of species they know well than do birders that do not know the species well or at all.
Atlantic Region: Summer 2022
Summer 2022: 1 Jun–31 Jul David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2022. Summer 2022: Atlantic Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-elk> North American Birds. It was warm and humid this season with rainfall less than normal for most of the region. Avian Flu/H5N1 continued its devastating course through the region’s avian species this season There has been a significant impact on domestic species as well as those species that live in densely packed colonies throughout the region. Evidence of spread to marine and terrestrial mammals has been documented for the region. Species of note for the read more >>
Arkansas & Louisiana: Spring 2020
Spring 2020: 1 Mar–31 May Lyndal York lrbluejay@gmail.com Recommended citation: York, L. 2022. Spring 2020: Arkansas Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eld> North American Birds. Seasonal highlights include Cinnamon Teal, Red-necked Grebe, Long-billed Curlew, Brown Booby, breeding Roseate Spoonbills, Swallow-tailed Kite, Lesser Goldfinch, and Scott’s Oriole. Waterfowl through Shorebirds Very rare transient Cinnamon Teals were at Hiwasse, Benton 17 Apr (Patti Bertschy) and Dardanelle, Yell Co 25–26 Apr (Kenny & LaDonna Nichols. Notable lingering waterfowl included: a Greater Scaup at Bald Knob NWR, White Co 9 May (Glenn & Michelle Wyatt); a Common read more >>
Prairie Provinces: Summer 2022
Summer 2022: 1 Jun–30 Jul Rudolf Koes rkoes@mymts.net James Fox fox.james.ed@gmail.com Recommended citation: Koes, R.F., and J. Fox. 2022. Summer 2022: Prairie Provinces. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ekO> North American Birds. The summer of 2022 was hot across the Prairie Provinces and very wet, especially in southern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan, continuing a trend started in the spring. Alberta experienced some very destructive storms. Although the shorebird migration at both ends of the season was lacklustre, the copious rains created areas with sheetwater on agricultural fields in southern Manitoba, which attracted a decent number and variety of read more >>
West Indies & Bermuda: Summer 2022
Summer 2022: 1 Jun–31 Jul Andrew Dobson (Greater Antilles and Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Dobson, A., and A. Levesque. 2022. Summer 2022: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ekE> North American Birds. Cuba recorded its first Great-tailed Grackle and the Turks and Caicos Islands, their first Black Tern. The first breeding of Antillean Euphonia was proven in Guadeloupe. Seawatching highlights included a Bulwer’s Petrel off Guadeloupe and two South Polar Skuas off Bermuda. Waterfowl through Terns Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are rare in Bermuda with two first reported read more >>
West Indies & Bermuda: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–30 Apr Andrew Dobson (Greater Antilles and Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Dobson, A. and A. Levesque. 2022. Spring 2022: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ekq> North American Birds. Cuba recorded its first Brant; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines documented its first Green Kingfisher; a Bald Eagle in Bermuda was the first for 34 years; and Guadeloupe recorded its second White-winged Tern. Waterfowl to Shorebirds Two Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were seen at Harrington Sound, Bermuda 31 May (Kieran Richardson). A Fulvous Whistling-Duck was read more >>
Hudson-Delaware Region: Summer 2022
Summer 2022: 1 Jun–31 Jul Robert O. Paxton rop1@columbia.edu Amy Davis adavis@aba.org Shaibal S. Mitra shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu Frank Rohrbacher rohrbaf@aol.com Recommended citation: Paxton, R. O., Amy Davis, Shaibal S. Mitra, and Frank Rohrbacher. 2022. Summer 2022: Hudson-Delaware. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ekd> North American Birds. Summer 2022 was hot and, in the region’s north, dry. In New York City, the average temperature in June was 79°F compared with an average of 71.4°F, while total precipitation in June was only 2.92” as compared with an average of 3.56”. Rainfall in Rochester in June was only 2.04” as compared with read more >>
North American Birds: Vol. 73, No. 2
This issue features the ABA Checklist Committee's annual report, the annual Check-list Redux, details on the US's first Bat Falcon, and an article on whether Western Flycatcher should be re-lumped.
Southern California: Summer 2022
Summer 2022: 1 Jun–31 Jul Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett cyanolyca818@gmail.com Recommended citation: McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2022. Summer 2022: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eiY> North American Birds. Weather conditions through the summer period typified the 21st century pattern of reduced coastal marine layer influence, very dry terrestrial conditions, and lots of heat. Monsoon conditions (which proved to be well above average in August and September) had not arrived by the end of July. There were no major brush fires through the period, though a number of smaller fires burned in most read more >>
Southern California: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–31 May Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett cyanolyca818@gmail.com Recommended citation: McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2022. Spring 2022: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-eiG> North American Birds. It was something of a lackluster spring over most of the Region, punctuated by a predictable sprinkling of rarities. There was intensive monitoring of early morning visible migration of landbirds at various sites, most notably Bear Divide in the western San Gabriel Mts. of Los Angeles Co, the area around Gorman in the northwest corner of Los Angeles Co, Mt. Soledad in La Jolla, read more >>
Ontario: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–31 May Adam Capparelli adam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.ca Aaron Rusak afrusak@gmail.com Recommended citation: Capparelli, A., and A. Rusak. 2022. Spring 2022: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ehQ> North American Birds. We would like to extend our gratitude to Blake A. Mann, Maureen Riggs, Brian Ratcliff, Carter Dorscht, and Jeremy L. Hatt for regional reporting, Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics, and Matt Parsons, Cesar Ponce, Markus Legzdins, and Jarmo Jalava for contributing the photo highlights for this report. March was a month of tumultuous weather with a mix of unusual warmth and winter weather but ended read more >>
Québec: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–31 May Pierre Bannon pierre.bannon@icloud.com Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Samuel Denault samueldenault@hotmail.com Recommended citation: Bannon, P., O. Barden, N. David and S. Denault. 2022. Spring 2022: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ehA> North American Birds. Spring is a good season to see vagrant birds and this year was no exception. Among the waterfowl, Québec birders had the opportunity to see old world species like Tundra Bean-Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, Tufted Duck, and Common Pochard. Furthermore, the record-breaking numbers of Golden Eagles and Broad-winged Hawks southwest of Montréal astounded hawkwatchers. Finally, a read more >>
Western Great Lakes: Summer 2022
Summer 2022: 1 Jun–31 Jul William Marengo wcmarengo@gmail.com Recommended citation: Marengo, W. 2022. Summer 2022: Western Great Lakes. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ehf> North American Birds. Dry conditions prevailed throughout the season. There was good news for one regional breeding specialty but discouraging news for another. Unusual for summer, the region experienced a parade of impressive rarities. A total of at least six first state records were found, one being a first United States record, amongst the other accidentals. Note that many of the casual and accidental species have yet to be reviewed by the state’s records read more >>
Celebrating the 2022 ABA Award Recipients: Peter Pyle, Holly Merker, Ted Floyd, and Nate Swick
On behalf of the ABA Board of Directors and staff, the ABA Awards Committee is delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 ABA Awards. This year, the ABA Awards Committee is happy to recognize one recipient of the ABA Lifetime Achievement Award, also called “The Tropicbird,” one recipient of the Award for Conservation and Education, and two recipients of the Award for Distinguished Service. ABA Awards are given to birders who have done exceptional work in promoting the cause of birding.
November 2022 Photo Quiz
Quiz photo taken late October.
Ahh, one of those pale, gull things. At least it’s not a member of Larus!
Or is it?
The Music of Stephanie Seymour
Listen to the songs mentioned in Stephanie Seymour's interview in the December 2022 issue of Birding magazine from her brilliant album, There Are Birds.
Western Great Lakes: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–31 May William Marengo wcmarengo@gmail.com Recommended citation: Marengo, W. 2022. Spring 2022: Western Great Lakes. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-een> North American Birds. Numerous rarities were seen this spring, especially from Wisconsin. Highlights include Fulvous-whistling Duck, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Note that many of the casual and accidental species have yet to be reviewed by the state’s records committees. This report will be updated accordingly as the committees review the records. Sub-regional Compilers Sunil Gopalan (Wisconsin), Andrew Simon (Michigan), Ethan Urban (Michigan) Abbreviations LP (Lower Peninsula, MI), NWR (National Wildlife Refuge), SGA (State read more >>
Hawaii: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–31 May Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A and J. Rothe. 2022. Spring 2022: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ebq> North American Birds. While spring in the Hawaii Region largely lacks the blatant climactic cues experienced elsewhere in much of the ABA area, there are nonetheless subtle indicators of seasonal shift present in the islands. The vernal season generally marks the transition from rainy winter weather to drier days; however, this spring was unusually dry, with drought conditions present on multiple islands. Still, shorebirds and seabirds transited through Hawaiian waters read more >>
Southern Great Plains: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Joseph A. Grzybowski j_grzybowski@sbcglobal.net W. Ross Silcock silcock@rosssilcock.com Recommended citation: Grzybowski, J.A., and W.R. Silcock. 2022. Summer 2021: Southern Great Plains. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ebh> North American Birds. Overall, this was a fairly routine summer with an array of summer vagrants and some surprise and suspected extralimital breeding across taxonomic groups. A large colony of American White Pelicans in Nebraska were a pleasant discovery. More Osprey are now nesting in the region south to eastern Oklahoma. Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, an exceptional rarity 30 years ago, are now spreading across the region. read more >>
Spring Warblers in Chicago
May 16-20, 2023
Colombia, September 2023
September 4-15, 2023
October 2022 Photo Quiz
As any of the folks that have conducted migrating-waterbird counts – seawatches – can say, ducks in flight are relatively straightforward to identify. First, there’s flight style, which does a reasonably good job of allowing quick discernment as to whether one is looking at dabblers or divers...
Welcome to ABA Community!
Go To ABA Community >> We're delighted to welcome ABA members to our newest project: ABA Community. This online platform was inspired by the printed ABA Member Directory that served as a way for members to connect with fellow birders and trip guides many years ago. Today we are happy to share a new way to connect within a safe online network accessed through your ABA membership. What can you do at ABA Community? Connect and interact with fellow birders. Engage in groups focused on different birding themes. Read and contribute to forums on specific topics. read more >>
ABA Area’s First Icterine Warbler at Gambell, Alaska
An ABA-Area first Icterine Warbler at Gambell tops off an amazing early fall in Alaska thus far. This misoriented migrant may have made an incredible over-Arctic journey from its breeding grounds in Scandinavia to St. Lawrence Island, where it joined an already spectacular roster of vagrants found in September 2022.
2022 Kenya Trip Report
We enjoyed 11 glorious days traveling to three very different areas of Kenya: Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba Game Reserves in the dry northern region; Lake Nakuru National Park in the rift valley; and the magnificent Maasai Mara Game Reserve in the south. We traveled in three safari vehicles, each expertly guided by Rockjumper’s Glen Valentine, Forrest Rowland and Daniel Danckwerts. All the participants, including ABA representatives Katinka Domen, John Lowry and Neil Hayward, rotated daily through the vehicles, such that everyone had the opportunity to ride with everyone else. Our first and last nights were at read more >>
New England: Winter 2021–2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb Greg Hanisek ctgregh@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hanisek, G. 2021. Winter 2021–2022: New England. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dY2> North American Birds. In New England's human epicenter, Boston, January provided a feel for this winter's weather diversity. Temperatures hit a high of 54F on New Year's Day, but the average of 32 degrees was 2.5 degrees colder than normal for the month. Then the closing days brought the Blizzard of 2022, which as noted by Stymeist was the first in four years and buried the city under 23.6 inches of snow. That made it read more >>
An Interview with Julia Tchira
Birds inspire art in many ways: writing, painting, photography, film. Not least of the art forms that birds frequently move people to create is music. The work of composer and violinist Julia Tchira has been heavily influenced by the wonder of birds, including a recent piece she wrote about the ABA’s 2022 Bird of the Year, the Burrowing Owl.
September 2022 Photo Quiz
The first response of some quiz-takers might well be, “What a horrible photo, particularly for a quiz photo!” Others, however, may well jump on the correct identification immediately. For those of us that are not accomplished at or comfortable with identification by shape, posture, and behavior, this could certainly provide for a difficult quiz. Those that had the second response posited above would have gotten the ID solely on shape and posture, perhaps aided by behavior.
August 2022 Photo Quiz
Back to the quiz bird being in flight. Aren’t you glad last month’s wasn’t?! There’s not much interesting showing this month. The quiz bird looks long- and narrow-winged, which, if accurate, certainly helps rule out some possibilities...
Fall migration in Cape May
October 15-19, 2023
Review of the Olympus M.Zuiko 150–400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS PRO
Holy freakin’ cow! I have uttered those words quite regularly, and rarely quietly, from the moment I unpacked my new Olympus M.Zuiko 150–400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS PRO. So what does the TC 1.25x in the name stand for? That’s another fun capability of this lens . . . it has a 1.25x teleconverter built in. Just flipping a switch multiplies your focal length by 25%, so the 300–800mm equivalent focal length becomes a 375–1,000mm f5.6 super telephoto birding lens.
Atlantic Region: Spring 2022
Spring 2022: 1 Mar–31 May David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2022. Spring 2022: Atlantic Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dEb> North American Birds. Weather conditions over the season were near normal. Perhaps the most interesting—and ultimately devastating weather effects—were related to persistent northeast to easterly North Atlantic winds from late March though late April. In late March, northeasterly winds drove Thick-billed Murres close to the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador, and ultimately prevented them from accessing their feeding grounds. Capelin fish stocks have been critically reduced within the Region for years, resulting in many Thick-billed read more >>
Hudson-Delaware Region: Fall 2021
Amy Davis adavis@aba.org Shaibal S. Mitra shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu Robert O. Paxton rop1@columbia.edu Frank Rohrbacher rohrbaf@aol.com Recommended citation: Davis, A., S.S. Mitra, R.O. Paxton, and F. Rohrbacher. 2022. Fall 2021: Hudson-Delaware. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dDk> North American Birds. Fall 2021 was among the warmest ever for the Hudson-Delaware region: the third warmest for NJ, fourth warmest for NY, and fifth warmest for DE. NJ and DE experienced drier than usual conditions, while NY was wetter than normal. Tropical Storms Fred and Henri brought a few interesting storm birds to the region’s coastal areas, and a late Oct nor’easter read more >>
July 2022 Photo Quiz
A quick look at this month’s quiz bird’s feet, more specifically how the toes are attached to the foot, should get us into the correct bird order, as the passerine foot is distinctive. Another important, but widely overlooked bird-ID feature is our quiz bird’s...
West Indies & Bermuda: Winter 2021–2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb Andrew Dobson (Greater Antilles, Bahamas, Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Dobson, A., & A. Levesque. 2022. Winter 2021–2022: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dz6> North American Birds. Significant first records occurred in several countries. A Harris’s Sparrow was not only the first for Cuba but also the Caribbean. Two Lesser Antillean Bullfinches discovered on Vieques Island were the first to be documented for the Greater Antilles. Jamaica recorded its first and second Pacific Golden-Plovers. In the Lesser Antilles, Guadeloupe added Sabine’s Gull to its species read more >>
Québec: Winter 2021-2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb Pierre Bannon pierre.bannon@icloud.com Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Samuel Denault samueldenault@hotmail.com Recommended citation: Bannon, P., O. Barden, N. David and S. Denault. 2022. Winter 2021—2022: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dyS> North American Birds. The winter started with mild temperatures in Dec but turned much colder in Jan. Highlights for the period were the amazing discovery of three Bramblings, a passerine of northern Eurasia previously found only once in the province, a Northern Lapwing, a Mountain Bluebird and an Ivory Gull. Western visitors almost annual in Québec present during this period were read more >>
Hawaii: Winter 2021-2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A. and J. Rothe. 2022. Winter 2021–2022: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dyG> North American Birds. The winter of 2021–2022 was abnormally dry across the Hawaiian Islands. Migrant bird numbers may have been affected both through the paucity of freshwater resources available to them as well as the lack of storms driving them to land in the first place. This unseasonal dryness seemed particularly pronounced on Oʻahu, where wetlands such as Pouhala Marsh were bone-dry most of the winter, providing little habitat for read more >>
Western Great Lakes: Winter 2021–2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb William Marengo wcmarengo@gmail.com Recommended citation: Marengo, W.C. 2022. Winter 2021–2022: Western Great Lakes. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dyu> North American Birds. An Ivory Gull and a Tufted Duck were highlights gracing a season that, in regard to rarities, was fairly quiet. Sub-regional Compilers Rob Pendergast (Wisconsin), Andrew Simon (Michigan), Ethan Urban (Michigan). Abbreviations: Abbreviations: CP (County Park), L.P. (Lower Peninsula, MI), NL (National Lakeshore), NWR (National Wildlife Refuge), RA (Recreation Area), SGA (State Game Area), SNA (Scientific/State Natural Area), SP (State Park), SR (State Riverway), SWA (State Wildlife Area), Twp. (Township), U.P. read more >>
Atlantic Region: Summer 2018
Summer 2018: 1 June–31 July David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2022. Summer 2018: Atlantic Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dyj> North American Birds. A chilly June was gradually replaced by heat waves in most of Atlantic Canada throughout July and August. Late snowfall and cold weather in the Newfoundland and Labrador region delayed the transition to summer. The summer heat wave in southern Atlantic Canada was reflected by a significant increase is ocean temperatures of 2–3 degrees above the 20 year average for the region. Increased temperatures were likely the cause of a significant dry read more >>
Ontario: Winter 2021–2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb Adam Capparelli adam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.ca Aaron Rusak afrusak@gmail.com Recommended citation: Capparelli, A., and A. Rusak. 2022. Winter 2021-2022: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dya> North American Birds. We would like to extend our gratitude to Blake A. Mann, Maureen Riggs, and Brian Ratcliff for regional reporting, Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics, and Joshua D. Vandermeulen, Elias Joshi, and Dinu Bandyopadhyay for contributing the photo highlights for this report. The theme for Winter 2021-2022 was a changeable one, with fluctuating temperatures and messy storms that dumped large amounts of sometimes mixed precipitation across read more >>
Prairie Provinces: Winter 2021–2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec 28 Feb Rudolf Koes rkoes@mymts.net James Fox fox.james.ed@gmail.com Recommended citation: Koes, R.F., and J. Fox. 2022. Winter 2021–2022: Prairie Provinces. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dxR> North American Birds. After several years with reasonably moderate winters across the southern Prairie Provinces, the winter of 2021–2022 was one characterized by severe cold spells, often very windy conditions and much greater-than-average snowfall, especially in Manitoba, where it was the third-snowiest winter in over a century. In Alberta the Christmas week was the coldest in 50 years, which discouraged many potential Christmas Bird Count (CBC) participants. It read more >>
Southern California: Winter 2021–2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett cyanolyca818@gmail.com Recommended citation: McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2022. Winter 2021–2022: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dxz>North American Birds. Although precipitation totals were only slightly below average in many parts of the region, Southern California experienced yet another generally dry winter which exacerbated a widespread and severe drought; the limited snowpack in the higher mountains was largely gone below about 3000 m elevation by April. Any relationship between drought conditions and winter bird irruptions is tenuous at best, but the season saw low numbers read more >>
Alabama & Mississippi: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Greg D. Jackson g_d_jackson@bellsouth.net Recommended citation: Jackson, G. D. 2022. Fall 2021: Alabama & Mississippi <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-drU> North American Birds. Birders in our region enjoyed an exciting fall season, replete with good numbers of standard migrants and plenty of rare prizes. General migration of water, shore, and land birds was moderate to good in most areas. Though a few birds were early, later-than-normal departures became more common. Rarities included second state records for both Alabama and Mississippi, as well as many other fine discoveries of lesser magnitude. Temperatures this read more >>
Baja California Peninsula: Year 2021
Year 2021: 1 Jan–31 Dec Richard A. Erickson richard.erickson@lsa.net Gerardo Marrón atakamara@gmail.com Enrique D. Zamora-Hernández zugunruhe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Erickson, R. A., G. Marrón, and E. D. Zamora-Hernández. 2022. Year 2021: Baja California Peninsula. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-dqW> North American Birds. This is our second annual report for the Baja California Peninsula. The number of species recorded was up (405 compared to 402 in 2020), with an impressive increase in Baja California (380 vs. 360) but a decrease in Baja California Sur (316 vs. 336); reports of pelagic species were especially lacking in Baja California Sur (Table read more >>
June 2022 Photo Quiz
This time we have a lovely, pristine, perfectly lit, perfectly posed bird that shows all the field marks we need to identify it correctly to species. Did you believe any of that? This month’s quiz bird of a bird photographed in August might confound a number of quiz takers as to which family it belongs, although at least the order should be straightforward.
West Indies & Bermuda: Fall 2016
Fall 2016: 1 Aug–30 Nov Robert L. Norton (Bahamas, Greater Antilles) Corvus0486@aol.com Andrew Dobson (Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Norton, R., A. Dobson, & A. Levesque. 2022. Fall 2016: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-deL> North American Birds. Regional highlights Bermuda highlights include the first record of Grey-headed Swamphen and first Rusty Blackbird for 41 years. Tropical Storm Karl produced an unprecedented number of Pectoral Sandpipers. The Bahamas recorded its first record of Sedge Wren. A Western Wood-Pewee was an extreme rarity on Cuba. Waterfowl to read more >>
Nikki Belmonte Joins ABA as New Executive Director
Delaware City, Delaware – After a thorough search, the American Birding Association is thrilled to announce that Nikki Belmonte will be the new Executive Director of the ABA. Nikki Belmonte is the new Executive Director of the American Birding Association! Nikki lives in Roswell, Georgia, where she has worked for the last two years as the city’s Environmental Education Coordinator and the Executive Director of Keep Roswell Beautiful, an environmental stewardship nonprofit. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of Atlanta Audubon Society (now Georgia Audubon) for nine years, overseeing a period of unprecedented growth for read more >>
May 2022 Photo Quiz
Not a very good photo this month. Right? While I generally try to have reasonably good photos with the quiz subject in reasonably good focus, birding is not really like that. We do not see most individual birds well, and, at least for those with “good ears,” most birds that we detect are not seen at all.
Rebecca Minardi Appointed as New Book and Media Reviews Editor for Birding Magazine
Delaware City, Delaware – Rebecca Minardi has been hired as Birding magazine’s new Book and Media Reviews Editor. Rebecca is an experienced book reviewer who has contributed multiple reviews to the column and also written other articles for Birding. Rebecca Minardi is passionate about connecting young people with nature, fostering a love of birds at an early age, and stopping species loss. She received her Master of Public Health from Des Moines University in 2012 before falling in love with birds. After she grew more concerned about habitat destruction and extinction, she joined the board of Detroit read more >>
Black Birders: Embracing the Beauty Within
As part of its celebration of the third Black Birders Week, please enjoy the ABA's two-part session of the prerecorded panel "Black Birders: Embracing the Beauty Within." The panel explores such topics as childhood experiences with birds, how to pass on generational knowledge of birds, and whether things have changed since the first Black Birders Week.
April 2022 Photo Quiz
No surprise. This month’s quiz bird is flying. I think most would agree that it is a bird of prey of some sort. I chose the photo this month to provide an opportunity to make a couple points about taxonomy that some or many birders apparently do not know.
The Great Thick-billed Murre Swimming Migration
A 1,000-Kilometer Journey to the Wintering Grounds
A sense of wonder has stayed with me since seeing those Thick-billed Murre chicks jump at Prince Leopold Island on my first expedition cruise to Nunavut, as well as on subsequent trips until the most recent one in Aug. 2019.
Birdability and the ABA
If you’ve had experiences with access in the outdoors, we would appreciate knowing about them.
Cemetery Birding
Spend any amount of time at all in the company of birders, and you quickly discover their proclivity for places that are, in a word, weird. For example, ice-slicked jetties in a New England blizzard when it is too miserable for even the fisherman. Or mosquito-infested swamps in the Deep South in summer. There are the pelagic trips, of course, with their chopped-up fish, odeur de diesel, and birders barfing off the stern. And SEWAGE TREATMENT PONDS. And cemeteries. Eastern Bluebird. Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook Co., Illinois; April 28, 2009. Photo by © Greg read more >>
March 2022 Photo Quiz
For the second consecutive month, the subject of the quiz photo is easily and quickly identifiable to family and, by most, to genus. However, despite field guides, the ABA-Area members of that genus do not make for quick and straightforward IDs...
February 2022 Photo Quiz
Most of us should be able to quickly narrow the number of options to a number requiring only a single digit. The plumage is mostly white, they have black wing tips, and neither the neck nor the legs are particularly long.
Have at it!
January 2022 Photo Quiz
This bird is pretty nondescript. It’s brown with a bit of vague streaking below. The bill is thick-based and short and neither the wings nor tail are particularly noteworthy. Not too long, not too short. Not too wide, not too thin. Good, all-purpose wings and tail. Unremarkable.
December 2021 Photo Quiz
Where’s the bird? Ah, there it is. This is something of a different quiz photo.
Yes, it is, to make a certain point: One does not necessarily need to see a bird all that well to be able to identify it. However, to do so, one does need to understand plumages and their progression in various species, as well as how those various plumages differ from those of similar species.
The Fledgling
The Fledgling is a magazine produced by and designed for young birders. This quarterly magazine is both enlightening and fun, and it showcases the amazing talent of the next generation of birders and scientists.
Jeffrey A. Gordon Resigns as President of the ABA
The American Birding Association announces that Jeffrey A. Gordon has resigned from his 11-year post as president, effective 30 Nov. 2021.
New Distributional and Temporal Records for Birds of the Mexican State of Guerrero
This is a detailed, comprehensive report of bird records from the Mexican state of Guerrero. It treats 94 species, of which 41 are first records for Guerrero. Nine species are resident, and 53 species are described as either data deficient, or their status is currently misrepresented in print.
Atlantic Region: Winter 2021–2022
Winter 2021–2022: 1 Dec–28 Feb David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2022. Winter 2021–2022: Atlantic Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-d3J> North American Birds. A La Niña Weather pattern set in for the winter season, which combined with above average sea temperatures for the region, appeared to promise lower precipitation and slightly increased temperatures. Such was the case for December. However, in the New Year, weekly sprawling winter storms brought widespread varying effects such as rain, freezing rain, ice, snow and blizzard conditions throughout the region. Despite increasing seawater temperatures within the region through 2021, ice read more >>
November 2021 Photo Quiz
I can almost hear it now, a disappointed, frustrated, “Ugh. A gull.” Much more quietly, I can hear, “Hey! A LWHG!”
“LWHG?”
October 2021 Photo Quiz
It’s that time of year. The time when raptorphiles head to the mountains, the shores of large lakes, the coastal promontories, the riverine bluffs to watch for southbound raptors. However, with a bit of luck and a lot of scanning the sky, one can encounter raptors in active migration virtually anywhere on land.
September 2021 Photo Quiz
A few sparrowy things comprise this month’s quiz, so break out your reading glasses, as we may need to delve into minutiae. I can hear the cheers, now! Everyone loves sparrowy things...
August 2021 Photo Quiz
This month we’ve got an apparently small bird flying overhead. Perhaps-important ID clues include the mix of buff and white below, the small bill, and the long primary projection. The final of those characters suggests that our bird is an individual of a species that is either a long-distance migrant or a highly aerial one… or both.
Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks Wander to the North
When Dianne Doherty spotted a Roseate Spoonbill near the Androscoggin River Dam in Gorham, New Hampshire on 30 Jul 2021, the sighting became the state’s first record for the species. It was far from an isolated incident, however.
New England: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Greg Hanisek ctgregh@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hanisek, G. 2021. Fall 2021: New England. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cja> North American Birds. Declines in New England's – and the continent's – breeding species rightfully generate concern, much of it centered on nesting season. Fall draws attention to another trend—species that have undergone significant, and in some cases remarkable, increases. The reasons vary from eastward range extensions to enhanced reverse migration. In some cases improved birding skills probably also play a role. Here are some changes of note, gleaned from eBird reports this fall (first read more >>
Hawaii: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A. and J. Rothe. 2021. Fall 2021: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-d8t> North American Birds. In the Hawaiian Islands, fall tends to be the most diverse birding season, often delivering the greatest number of surprises in the form of migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, and seabirds. Despite some rather odd weather, this fall did not disappoint. Highlights included multiple Bar-tailed Godwits and a Red-necked Stint. Compared to other years, this autumn was relatively hot and dry. November is normally one of our rainiest months read more >>
Atlantic Region: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2022. Fall 2021: Atlantic Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cyX> North American Birds. Overall, the temperature tended to be above normal with normal to slightly elevated rainfall. The exception was a major late November storm—or Atmospheric River—emanating from the south along the eastern seaboard. Torrential rainfall brought flooding to many areas within the region resulting in significant infrastructure damage, power outages and property damage. Despite this, the season brought many records to the region including Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Eurasian Collared Dove, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Steller’s Sea-Eagle, Say’s read more >>
Ontario: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Adam Capparelli adam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.ca Aaron Rusak afrusak@gmail.com Recommended citation: Capparelli, A., and A. Rusak. 2022. Fall 2021: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cyO> North American Birds. We would like to extend our gratitude to Blake A. Mann, Roger Frost, Jeremy L. Hatt, Maureen Riggs, Mark Read, and Brian Ratcliff for regional reporting, Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics, and Kyle Swanson, Henny Giles, Jeff H. Skevington, and Justin Peter for contributing the photo highlights for this report. Fall 2021 was dominated by warmer than average temperatures across the province. Winds from the read more >>
Prairie Provinces: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Rudolf Koes rkoes@mymts.net James Fox fox.james.ed@gmail.com Recommended citation: Koes, R.F., and J. Fox. 2022. Fall 2021: Prairie Provinces. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-d7W> North American Birds. Although precipitation during fall 2021 was about average, it arrived in a few major events and either soaked into the soil rapidly or ran off into streams. As a consequence, water-levels remained preciously low throughout the region, making shorebird habitat scarce. The Covid pandemic has seemingly been responsible for encouraging increasing numbers of birders and photographers to get out into the field, which may have resulted read more >>
West Indies & Bermuda: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Andrew Dobson (Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Robert L. Norton (Greater Antilles, Bahamas) Corvus0486@aol.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Dobson, A., R. Norton, & A. Levesque. 2021. Fall 2021: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cUJ> North American Birds. This report is dedicated to the memory of Robert L. Norton who passed away on 11 January 2022. He was the originator of the West Indies & Bermuda regional report, first appearing in American Birds, in 1980. He continued in this capacity though Field Notes and North American Birds for over 40 years. His knowledge of the read more >>
Oregon and Washington: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Eric Heisey heiseyew@gmail.com Adrian Hinkle adrian.hinkle@gmail.com Christopher Hinkle christopher.hinkle2@gmail.com Alex Patia alexpatia89@gmail.com Recommended citation: Heisey, E., Hinkle, A., Hinkle, C., Patia, A. 2021. Fall 2021: Oregon-Washington. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cYW> North American Birds. Washington recorded its hottest, driest year on record in 2021, resulting in a staggering number of wildfires throughout the state that burned nearly 1.5 million acres. Conditions in August were very hot and dry throughout Oregon and Washington, with temperatures lingering in the triple digits on the eastside of the Cascades. These historically dry conditions gave way to read more >>
Québec: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov Pierre Bannon pierre.bannon@icloud.com Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Samuel Denault samueldenault@hotmail.com Recommended citation: Bannon, P., O. Barden, N. David and S. Denault. 2021. Fall 2021: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-d7B> North American Birds. The major events of the fall season in the province of Québec were : 1) The advent of an incredible number of MEGA rarities, including two highly migratory species native to South America. The total of 18 MEGA rarities include the Tundra Bean-Goose, Common Shelduck, Steller’s Eider, Common Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Booby, Little Egret, read more >>
Southern California: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 NovGuy McCaskieguymcc@pacbell.netKimball L. Garrettkgarrett@nhm.orgRecommended citation:McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2022. Fall 2021: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cxY> North American Birds. The fall 2021 season in Southern California was typically warm and dry, but the region experienced a welcome storm front in October. There were no major Santa Ana wind events, and unlike other recent falls there were no extensive wildfires in the southern part of California. The region witnessed an unprecedented number and variety of passerine migrants, especially wood-warblers, normally associated with the eastern half of North America; on the other read more >>
Western Great Lakes: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug–30 Nov William Marengo wcmarengo@gmail.com Recommended citation: Marengo, W. C. 2022. Fall 2021: Western Great Lakes. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cYd> North American Birds. Noteworthy gulls and jaegers provided the highlights for this season. Sub-regional Compilers Bob Domagalski (Wisconsin), Andrew Simon (Michigan), Ethan Urban (Michigan). Abbreviations CP (County Park), L.P. (Lower Peninsula, MI), NL (National Lakeshore), NWR (National Wildlife Refuge), RA (Recreation Area), SGA (State Game Area), SNA (Scientific/State Natural Area), SR (State Riverway), SWA (State Wildlife Area), U.P. (Upper Peninsula, MI), WPA (Waterfowl Production Area, WTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant). read more >>
British Columbia: Fall 2021
Fall 2021: 1 Aug to 30 Nov Chris Charlesworth c_charlesworth23@hotmail.com Charlesworth, C. 2022. Fall 2021: British Columbia. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-d7d> North American Birds. August saw a gradual cooling throughout the month with scattered showers, but it did little to staunch the hundreds of wildfires still burning over the southern half of the region. Thick smoke remained a vexing problem. No doubt the birds felt the same as there was evidence that interior birds vacated territories early with some even heading out to the coast to get a breath of fresher air. The fact that most read more >>
July 2021 Photo Quiz
When looking at an unknown shorebird – or, in this case, shorebirds, the first task should be determining to which ABA-Area shorebird family our mystery bird might be referable...
June 2021 Photo Quiz
This month’s quiz bird is obviously some sort of pigeon/dove thing. Certainly, those reddish-pink legs are typical of the group. While that leg color is typical of ABA-Area doves and pigeons, it does rule out...
Hawaii: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A. and J. Rothe. 2021. Summer 2021: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bQg> North American Birds. Summer birding in the Hawaii Region tends to be a relatively predictable endeavor. Most of the overwintering vagrants have moved on, though a few seem to extend their stay indefinitely rather than attempt another transoceanic flight. Given the supreme remoteness of the islands, there is little opportunity for new arrivals outside migration windows, except for the influence of a major storm system. Unlike the last several years, read more >>
Western Great Lakes: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul William Marengo wcmarengo@gmail.com Recommended citation: Marengo, W. 2021. Summer 2021: Western Great Lakes. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-c5E> North American Birds. As with much of the country, the region experienced exceptionally hot and dry conditions. Species impacted by these conditions as well as from the previous harsh winter in the southern U.S. led to low numbers throughout the region. Particularly noticeable were the lack of Hermit Thrush, Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Phoebes, and Sedge Wrens. Noteworthy highlights began with Michigan’s first Roseate Spoonbill, multiple Wood Stork reports, Magnificent Frigatebird, Townsend’s Warbler, and continuing read more >>
Atlantic Region: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2021. Summer 2021: Atlantic R. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bBx> North American Birds. Weather conditions within the region normalized this season with the exception of the remnants of post Tropical Storm Eisa that briefly affected the region in early July. Species of note included the arrival of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, and the exceptional discovery of a Steller’s Sea-Eagle along the Restigouche in New Brunswick by Gerry Issac. Pending approval, this unique discovery will provide the provinces of New Brunswick and Québec with first records. Not surprisingly read more >>
Southern California: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett kgarrett@nhm.org Recommended citation: McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2021. Summer 2021: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bIV> North American Birds. Record heat and lingering drought characterized the region through the summer. Climate change, with warming marine waters, has clearly played a role in the northward push of several subtropical species, including Neotropic Cormorant, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and Reddish Egret. The summer season also saw a now almost-expected five species of boobies, and the first U.S. nesting of Blue-footed Booby on Sutil Rock off Santa Barbara read more >>
Texas: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Eric Carpenter ecarpe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Carpenter, E. 2021. Summer 2021: Texas. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-c5u> North American Birds. After consecutive fall, winter, and spring season reports that had incredible numbers of noteworthy birds, this Texas summer report is a bit lighter, as rarity-finding seems to have dropped-off to normal levels once again. A wetter than average spring in the eastern two-thirds of the state set up decent and occasionally lush breeding habitat there. Unfortunately, the story was different in the Trans-Pecos, where drought continued into early summer causing many birds there read more >>
Hudson-Delaware Region: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 July Robert O. Paxton rop1@columbia.edu Amy Davis argdavis@gmail.com Frank Rohrbacher rohrbaf@aol.com Shai Mitra shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu Recommended citation: Paxton, R. O., A. Davis, S. Mitra, and F. Rohrbacher. 2021. Summer 2021: Hudson-Delaware Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bxM> North American Birds. Summer 2021 was rainy and hot, though without breaking temperature records. It was the third wettest July ever in Central Park, New York City (11.09”), and on 17 Jul a record 3.03” of rain fell at Rochester. A major feature of the season was a hatch of 17-year Brood X cicadas, particularly in Delaware. read more >>
Ontario: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 JulAdam Capparelliadam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.caJosh Janvrinjosh.janvrin@gmail.comRecommended citation: Capparelli, A., Janvrin, J. 2021. Summer 2021: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bBo> North American Birds. We would like to extend our gratitude to Blake A. Mann, Roger Frost, Jeremy L. Hatt, Leo Heyens, and Brian Ratcliff for regional reporting, Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics, and Joshua Vandermeulen, Michael Hatton, Melanie Palik, and Luke Raso for contributing the photo highlights for this report.Drought-like conditions from May continued throughout most of the province into the first half of the summer period. Southern and north-western Ontario saw higher than average temperatures while read more >>
British Columbia: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Chris Charlesworth c_charlesworth23@hotmail.com Recommended citation: Charlesworth, C. 2022. Summer 2021: British Columbia. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cyB> North American Birds. British Columbia had been sectioned into a normally wet north and a drought-stricken southern half courtesy of the preceding six months of weather. Thus, the region was primed for an active wildfire season. June gradually warmed and the last week became blistering hot under a lingering heat dome. Lytton, B.C., set a new Canadian maximum temperature record of 49.6 degrees Celsius on June 29th, a reading more typical of Death Valley than read more >>
Illinois & Indiana: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul James D. Hengeveld jhengeve@indiana.edu Keith A. McMullen warbler7@sbcglobal.net Geoffrey A. Williamson geoffrey.williamson.21@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hengeveld, J.D., K.A. McMullen, and G.A. Williamson. 2021. Summer 2021: Illinois & Indiana. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cYH> North American Birds. Average temperatures in June were slightly higher than average, and those in July were slightly lower than average, with temperatures in Indiana ~1∞ C below those of Illinois. Though the season was average regarding temperature, rainfall levels were ~8 cm above the norm for the season, placing this year's summer season in the top 10% of years read more >>
West Indies & Bermuda: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Andrew Dobson (Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Robert L. Norton (Greater Antilles, Bahamas) Corvus0486@aol.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Dobson, A., R. Norton, and A. Levesque. 2021. Summer 2021: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bXv> North American Birds. Vieques recorded its first record of Monk Parakeet; from San Andrés, reports of Piratic Flycatchers and a Mangrove Vireo; a Bare-eyed Pigeon was again reported from St. Martin; and a first nesting record of Killdeer in Guadeloupe. Waterfowl through Shearwater Two Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (ph.) of the southern race read more >>
Prairie Provinces: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Rudolf Koes rkoes@mymts.net James Fox fox.james.ed@gmail.com Recommended citation: Koes, R.F., and J. Fox. 2021. Summer 2021: Prairie Provinces. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bu2> North American Birds. Summer 2021 in the southern prairie provinces was characterized by heat, drought and smoke. The drought conditions ranged from abnormally dry to extreme and exceptional - the highest possible rating - in much of Manitoba, with similar conditions in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. It was the driest July on record in southern Manitoba. The heat was unrelenting, and made all the more unbearable by persistent read more >>
New Mexico: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Matthew J. Baumann mbaumann22@gmail.com Raymond L. VanBuskirk newmexicobirder@gmail.com Jodhan Fine jodhanfine22@gmail.com Recommended citation: Baumann, M. J., R. L. VanBuskirk, and J. Fine. 2021. Summer 2021: New Mexico. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cxO> North American Birds. Summer 2021 started hot and remained dry across the region. The Johnson fire, which started in May, continued to burn in the Gila Wilderness throughout the season and grew to nearly 90,000 acres before monsoon rains were able to provide relief in late July. Large swaths of the state were covered in smoke and haze from this read more >>
Québec: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Pierre Bannon pierre.bannon@icloud.com Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Samuel Denault samueldenault@hotmail.com Recommended citation: Bannon, P., O. Barden, N. David and S. Denault. 2021. Summer 2021: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cfq> North American Birds. June was very warm and dry with the only significant precipitation reported late in the month. On the other hand, July was cool with close to normal precipitation. The visit of a Steller’s Sea-Eagle in the Gaspé region in July was an unbelievable experience for many Québec birders. Other highlights in the province this summer included a read more >>
Oregon: Summer 2021
Summer 2021: 1 Jun–31 Jul Adrian Hinkle adrian.hinkle@gmail.com Christopher Hinkle christopher.hinkle2@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hinkle, A. W., and C. Hinkle. 2021. Summer 2021: Oregon. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bE1> North American Birds. Portland hit an all-time record of 116 °F in the end of June, while spots on the North Coast topped 100 °F. Much of the state’s lowlands reported temperatures in the 90s or higher for several weeks. Many spots in the Willamette Valley, including Portland, had no measurable rain after mid-June, and the whole state suffered from drought. It was an average summer for birds, with read more >>
May 2021 Photo Quiz
While some of the poor aspect to this photo is the photographer’s inability to get the subject in sharp focus, much of it is due to the disheveled appearance of the bird. While we all like looking at crisp photos of birds in good nick (as Brits say), particularly of pleasingly attractive birds, not all birds can meet these criteria at all times.
April 2021 Photo Quiz
This month’s photo quiz depicts one of the individual birds that was my first of this year of the relevant species. However, that bird is NOT the quiz bird.
A Birding Interview with Mark Obmascik
In 2004, Mark Obmascik suddenly burst onto the birding scene with the release of his first book, The Big Year—and his fame escalated when Hollywood made it into a movie in 2011.
ABA to Release New Version of Birding News
The American Birding Association is happy to announce a re-envisioned, complete make-over of our tried-and-true staple: ABA Birding News 2021.
March 2021 Photo Quiz
Raise your hands. Who considers this an ugly photo quiz? I am not talking, er, writing about the quality of the photo, which, admittedly, leaves a lot to be desired. I am writing about what is shown of the bird.
Three species added to the ABA Checklist
The ABA Checklist Committee recently added three species to the ABA Checklist.
Illinois & Indiana: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May James D. Hengeveld jhengeve@indiana.edu Keith A. McMullen warbler7@sbcglobal.net Geoffrey A. Williamson geoffrey.williamson.21@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hengeveld, J.D., K.A. McMullen, and G.A. Williamson. 2021. Spring 2021: Illinois & Indiana. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ckl> North American Birds. It was a warmer than average spring with March being the warmest relative to means (+3.5°-3.6°C). Rainfall was fairly normal with March the wettest relative to averages. An interesting general trend was that numbers of migrant (but not resident) birds reported were significantly higher in 2020 than in 2021 (fide Kenneth J. Brock), perhaps as the result read more >>
Alabama & Mississippi: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Lawrence F. Gardella lfgardella@gmail.com Recommended citation: Gardella, L. 2021. Spring 2021: Alabama & Mississippi. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cjY> North American Birds. Overall, it was somewhat cooler in the region with cool spells in each of the spring months. April 10 had more than an inch of rain across most of the region, but other heavy rains were more localized. On March 25–26 severe storms with straight line winds and tornadoes struck in several central Alabama counties, but there was only half an inch of rain on the coast. Strong south winds read more >>
Idaho and Western Montana: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Kate Stone kstone@mpgranch.com Recommended citation: Stone, K. 2021. Spring 2021: Idaho and Western Montana. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bsk> North American Birds. Birders throughout the region commented on low migrant numbers and late arrival dates for migratory breeders. March was relatively dry in most areas, with average precipitation in April and May. A storm event that brought heavy, wet snow and cold temperatures the third week in May resulted in heavy passerine fallout, with hundreds to thousands of sparrows grounded and foraging in snow-free areas. Birders in some areas also noted grounded read more >>
Western Great Lakes: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May William Marengo wcmarengo@gmail.com Sub-regional Compilers Sunil Gopalan (Wisconsin), Andrew Simon (Michigan), Ethan Urban (Michigan) Recommended citation: Marengo, W. 2021. Spring 2021: Western Great Lakes. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-brT> North American Birds. Spring was a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” season. While waterfowl and shorebirds impressed, migrant passerines disappointed. The region had mild weather with steady northerly winds through the first half of May. This resulted in no fallout-inducing storms, to the disappointment of all. The most noteworthy species reported was a region first Arctic Loon from Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin. A Wilson’s Plover from read more >>
Hudson-Delaware Region: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Shaibal S. Mitra shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu Robert O. Paxton rop1@columbia.edu Amy Davis adavis@aba.org Frank Rohrbacher rohrbaf@aol.com Recommended citation: Mitra, Shaibal S., Amy Davis, Robert O. Paxton, and Frank Rohrbacher. 2021. Spring 2021: Hudson-Delaware Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-c74> North American Birds. A slew of record-early arrivals were noted in New York City this spring. As in some prior spring season reports, the last dates of observation for over-wintering rarities were carefully identified. Such birds often depart their wintering sites from mid-March to early April, in many cases much earlier than typical northbound migration read more >>
Hawaii: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A. and J. Rothe. 2021. Spring 2021: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bdI> North American Birds. Spring 2021 in Hawaii started off with a bang. Spring storms from the south racked the state, resulting in flash-flooding on multiple islands and culminating in a high point for bird vagrancy. The ABA Area’s first Inca Tern showed up at South Point, Hawaiʻi Island, immediately after the first storm system. Looking heavily worn and ragged, it was lucky to have made it this far north (the read more >>
Southern California: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett kgarrett@nhm.org Recommended citation: McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2021. Spring 2021: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bIC> North American Birds. After a very dry winter, with near record low precipitation in some areas, the limited snowpack in the mountains melted early. The region’s creeks and lakes were drier than normal, and desert and foothill shrublands entered their summer dormancy early. On top of the drought, the impacts on birds of fall 2020’s extensive wildfires in the region’s mountains were surely substantial. It remains to read more >>
New England: Spring 2021
The Spring 2021, Mar. 1–May 31 Greg Hanisek ctgregh@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hanisek, G. 2021. Spring 2021: New England. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-b6C> North American Birds. The winter season's significant irruption of boreal finches continued into early spring. Major passerine fallouts were unimpressive, but gulls provided a series of highlights with species from across the continent and beyond. Sub-regional Compilers L. Bevier (Maine), S. Williams (Massachusetts), S. Mirick (New Hampshire), R. Farrell (Rhode Island), K. MacFarland (Vermont). Abbreviations L. Champlain (Vermont side of L. Champlain); Hammonasset (Hammonasset Beach S.P., Madison, New Haven Co, CT); Manomet (Manomet read more >>
Middle Atlantic: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 March–31 May Ellison Orcutt (Virginia) mr.ellyo@gmail.com Daniel Sloan (Maryland & DC) danielsloan215@gmail.com Recommended citation: Orcutt, E. and D. Sloan. 2021. Spring 2021: Middle Atlantic. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bxB> North American Birds. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect birding in the region. Organized field trips were far less frequent than they were before the pandemic, but with people spending more time at home and having more free time, birder participation in the backyard and in the field appeared to be as high as ever. The weather was rather ordinary and no major weather read more >>
Texas: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Eric Carpenter ecarpe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Carpenter, E. 2021. Spring 2021: Texas. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bux> North American Birds. After Winter Storm Uri hit Texas hard in mid-Feb, I'm not sure birders knew what to expect come springtime. The impact of the prolonged sub-freezing temperatures of that storm was felt throughout the spring mostly via the absence of regular residents, such as Eastern Bluebirds and Eastern Phoebe, that presumably perished during the storm. Some of these species did start to rebound as spring progressed but many did not. As an example, around read more >>
Southern Great Plains: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Joseph A. Grzybowski j_grzybowski@sbcglobal.net W. Ross Silcock silcock@rosssilcock.com Recommended citation: Grzybowski, J.A., and W.R. Silcock. 2022. Spring 2021: Southern Great Plains. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-cyl> North American Birds. Spring 2021 exemplified the continental position of the Southern Great Plains region, where ebbs and sways of eastern and western bird distributions can be captured in incidental detections by the birder pool. Eastern wood-warblers seemed more prominent than in many years, as did Veery. Some rarer species like Golden-winged, Connecticut and Cape May warblers were more frequently reported, Golden-winged prominently so in eastern read more >>
New Mexico: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Matthew J. Baumann mbaumann22@gmail.com Raymond L. VanBuskirk newmexicobirder@gmail.com Jodhan Fine jodhanfine22@gmail.com Recommended citation: Baumann, M. J., R. L. VanBuskirk, and J. Fine. 2021. Spring 2021: New Mexico. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-c57> North American Birds. Spring 2021 was characterized by continued widespread severe drought across the state, above normal temperatures, and low water levels in rivers and reservoirs as a result of below normal snowpack from the previous winter. Birders continued to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while out birding across the state. This spring was notable for the large list of read more >>
West Indies & Bermuda: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–30 Apr Andrew Dobson (Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Robert L. Norton (Greater Antilles, Bahamas) Corvus0486@aol.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Dobson, A., R. Norton, and A. Levesque. 2021. Spring 2021: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bXd> North American Birds. The full effect of the volcanic eruption on St. Vincent in April has yet to be fully assessed but will undoubtedly have had a serious impact on the avifauna including the endemic threatened St. Vincent Parrot and endangered Whistling Warbler. Puerto Rico recorded its first Yellow-hooded Blackbird, while Saint Kitts recorded its read more >>
Québec: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Pierre Bannon pbannon@videotron.ca Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Samuel Denault samueldenault@hotmail.com Recommended citation: Bannon, P., O. Barden, N. David and S, Denault. 2021. Spring 2021: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-btB> North American Birds. Overall, spring 2021 was dry accompanied with temperatures above normal. March was very dry but ended with significant amounts of rain. April brought dry, warm weather to most of the province with the exception of eastern Québec where rain and snow amounts were above normal. May continued dry with only 12 mm of rain at Montréal. Temperatures read more >>
Ontario: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–30 May Adam Capparelli adam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.ca Josh Janvrin josh.janvrin@gmail.com Recommended citation: Capparelli, A., Janvrin, J. 2021. Spring 2021: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-baJ> North American Birds. We would like to extend our gratitude to Blake A. Mann, Roger Frost, Jeremy L. Hatt, Leo Heyens, and Brian Ratcliff for regional reporting, Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics, and Dennis Dirigal, Ken Ball, Jeff H. Skevington, and Anthony Glenesk for contributing the photo highlights for this report. The weather was generally dry and very warm throughout most of the province. The lack of rain, especially read more >>
Prairie Provinces: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Rudolf Koes rkoes@mymts.net James Fox fox.james.ed@gmail.com Recommended citation: Koes, R.F., and J. Fox. 2021. Spring 2021: Prairie Provinces. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-baf> North American Birds. A mild March brought in a large number of early migrants, only the most notable of which will be mentioned here. April turned considerably cooler and migration slowed to a trickle. While the period was much drier than average, a significant amount of snow fell across the south from 10–12 April, and a mixture of snow and rain trekked through the area 20–22 May. The amount read more >>
Oregon: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May Adrian Hinkle adrian.hinkle@gmail.com Christopher Hinkle christopher.hinkle2@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hinkle, A. W., and C. Hinkle. 2021. Spring 2021: Oregon. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-b7U> North American Birds. It was the driest spring on record in Portland and across much of the state. Many areas suffered severe and worsening drought despite near-average snowpack in several of the major mountain ranges. Drought was especially pronounced in the Klamath Basin where water shortages are intensifying. Unusually constant north winds along the coast for most of May contributed to record numbers of Red Knots. Most knots typically read more >>
Atlantic Region: Spring 2021
Spring 2021: 1 Mar–31 May David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2021. Spring 2021: Atlantic Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-b7m> North American Birds. The most significant weather event for the region was the development of sustained easterlies that originated in Europe and reached the Atlantic Region in early April. Interestingly, these winds emanated in France and the southern United Kingdom, a significantly more southerly flow than the past. Species of note this season included Garganey, King Rail, European Golden-Plover, Wilson’s Plover, Ruff, Slaty-backed Gull, Barn Swallow (ssp. rustica), and Eurasian Tree Sparrow amongst others. Sub-regional read more >>
February 2021 Photo Quiz
Tony Leukering Fairborn, OH greatgrayowl@aol.com Photos and answers are supplied by Tony Leukering, a field ornithologist based in southeast Colorado, with strong interests in bird migration, distribution, and identification. He has worked for five different bird observatories from coast to coast and considers himself particularly adept at taking quiz photos (that is, bad pictures!). Leukering is a member of the Colorado Bird Records Committee and had been a reviewer for eBird since its inception. He is also interested in most everything else that flies, particularly moths and odonates. read more >>
North American Birds V 71 # 2 2020
Members log in here:
ABA Member Log In Org or Business Log In
[If you have already logged in and see this message, please click the “ABA Log In” button above.]
Not a member? Join here >>
Forgot your username or password? Click here.
January 2021 Photo Quiz
Tony Leukering Fairborn, OH greatgrayowl@aol.com Photos and answers are supplied by Tony Leukering, a field ornithologist based in southeast Colorado, with strong interests in bird migration, distribution, and identification. He has worked for five different bird observatories from coast to coast and considers himself particularly adept at taking quiz photos (that is, bad pictures!). Leukering is a member of the Colorado Bird Records Committee and had been a reviewer for eBird since its inception. He is also interested in most everything else that flies, particularly moths and odonates. read more >>
December 31, 2020 EDI Report
December 31, 2020 As 2020 draws to a close, we have the following updates on efforts and progress towards equity, diversity, and inclusion within the ABA and the communities it serves. We have continued to listen to and amplify BIPOC voices and to increase representation in our various media and content streams. Our publications and our podcast have featured Black, Latinx, and other non-white voices regularly. Our November issue of Birding magazine featured extensive coverage of the #BirdNames4Birds issue, including an essay by teen birder Ashwin Sivakumar. Our December issue includes content aimed at reaching a broader audience, read more >>
Baja California Peninsula: Year 2020
Year 2020: 1 Jan–31 Dec Mark J. Billings markbillings2020@gmail.com Richard A. Erickson richard.erickson@lsa.net Gerardo Marrón atakamara@gmail.com Enrique D. Zamora-Hernández zugunruhe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Billings, M. J., R. A. Erickson, G. Marrón, and E. D. Zamora-Hernández. 2021. Year 2020: Baja California Peninsula. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aM8> North American Birds. We are pleased to announce the first annual report for the Baja California Peninsula. We hope that this format illustrates changes in avian status and distribution in our region more effectively. We plan to report the total number of naturally occurring species that we find acceptable in the region read more >>
Birding Online: December 2020
Welcome to the Birder’s Guide to Basics Special Issue of Birding, which I hope you’ll agree is anything but basic! Our goal with this issue is to present foundational information that beginners and seasoned birders alike can use to make their birding more enjoyable.
December 2020 Photo Quiz
Tony Leukering Fairborn, OH greatgrayowl@aol.com Photos and answers are supplied by Tony Leukering, a field ornithologist based in southeast Colorado, with strong interests in bird migration, distribution, and identification. He has worked for five different bird observatories from coast to coast and considers himself particularly adept at taking quiz photos (that is, bad pictures!). Leukering is a member of the Colorado Bird Records Committee and had been a reviewer for eBird since its inception. He is also interested in most everything else that flies, particularly moths and odonates. read more >>
A Superflight of Finches in the East
While this year has been a tough one for many of us, birders in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada are receiving a welcome surprise as we experience a banner year for irruptive boreal birds, including remarkable records and a “superflight” of finches.
New Mexico: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Matthew J. Baumann mbaumann22@gmail.com Raymond L. VanBuskirk newmexicobirder@gmail.com Jodhan Fine jodhanfine22@gmail.com Recommended citation: Baumann, M. J., R.L. VanBuskirk, and J. Fine. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: New Mexico. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-br9> North American Birds. This season saw typical La Niña weather patterns for the region, characterized by above-normal temperatures and below-average precipitation, an unfortunate trend seen across the Southwest in recent years. The continued drought wreaked havoc on wintering passerines, especially sparrows, numbers of which were dramatically reduced statewide. The Arctic polar vortex extended into the Land of Enchantment in mid-February, bringing read more >>
Idaho and Western Montana: Winter 2020 – 2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Kate Stone kstone@mpgranch.com Recommended citation: Stone, K. 2021. Winter 2020 –2021: Idaho and Western Montana. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aHh> North American Birds. In general, the region experienced a mild winter with relatively warm temperatures. Low elevations experienced little snow at the beginning of winter, though parts of MT experienced one of the snowiest Februarys on record, as well as a subzero cold snap at the beginning of the month. Challenging weather (such as in Idaho and Montana in October) along the migratory paths of many species may have contributed to some read more >>
Prairie Provinces: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Rudolf Koes rkoes@mymts.net Christian Artuso chartuso@gmail.com James Fox, AB foxjames.edm@gmail.com Recommended citation: Koes, R., C. Artuso, and J. Fox. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Prairie Provinces. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-atv> North American Birds. The Prairie Provinces experienced wild swings in the weather during the winter of 2020–2021. Snowfall was extremely low throughout the south of the region, continuing the dry cycle of the past few years, and by the end of the period little snow cover remained. While December was generally seasonable, January was very mild (the second-mildest ever in southern MB). On read more >>
Southern California: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett kgarrett@nhm.org Recommended citation: McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aPO> North American Birds. The winter period was generally very dry and relatively warm, with rainfall totals well below average and little persisting snowpack in the mountains. But we note that a great deal of winter field effort, and perhaps even a greater percentage than usual this winter due to COVID-related restrictions, takes place in well-irrigated urban parks, residential areas, agricultural areas, and artificial wetlands which are somewhat read more >>
Ontario: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Adam Capparelli adam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.ca Josh Janvrin josh.janvrin@gmail.com Recommended citation: Capparelli, A., and J. Janvrin. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aDs> North American Birds. We would like to extend our gratitude to Blake A. Mann, Roger Frost, and Maureen Riggs for regional reporting, Michael V. A. Burrell and Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics, and Riley Walsh, Laurel Wood, Alexander Skevington, and William Van Atte for contributing the photo highlights for this report. Most of Southern Ontario experienced the driest and mildest winter in recent memory, with significant snow cover read more >>
Oregon: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Adrian Hinkle adrian.hinkle@gmail.com Christopher Hinkle christopher.hinkle2@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hinkle, A., and C. Hinkle. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Oregon. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-b6O> North American Birds. Winter was warm and dry statewide. Dec–Jan was one of the warmest on record in Portland, and above average in most of the state, while rainfall and snowpack languished below normal. February brought higher precipitation, above average in some areas, but most of the state ended winter with below-normal snowpack and rainfall, with especially severe water shortages in the Klamath Basin. The Covid-19 pandemic continued to alter read more >>
Texas: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Eric Carpenter ecarpe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Carpenter, E. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Texas. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aGL> North American Birds. If you read our Fall 2020 summary, you might be thinking that those four months were one of the most amazing birding periods ever in Texas, and you wouldn't be wrong. Well, along came an unimpressed Winter 2020 saying almost out of the gate "Hold my beer", and then kept bringing it the rest of the season. For the most part, southbound "fall" migration in Texas can last up until almost the last read more >>
New England: Winter 2020-21
Winter 2020–21: 1 Dec–28 Feb Greg Hanisek ctgregh@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hanisek, G. 2021. Winter 2020–21: New England. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aDf> North American Birds. Late and generally out of season records continued a long trend, but the most notable feature of the season was a wide-ranging irruption of boreal finches. Red Crossbills and Hoary Redpolls were noteworthy, the latter especially so because of their general rarity, identification challenges and taxonomic uncertainties. Contributors Louis Bevier, Nick Bonomo, Rachel Farrell, Peter Flood, Tina Green, Greg Hanisek, Neil Hayward, Rick Heil, Doug Hitchcox, Marshall J. Iliff, Skyler Kardell, Frank read more >>
Hawaii: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A. and J. Rothe. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-azQ> North American Birds. Winter 2020-2021 was a relatively mild one in Hawai’i, with few and short-lasting winter storms. A high ocean swell is characteristic of winter in Hawaiʻi, and this is why there are not typically any pelagic trips at this time of year. However, calm seas in the early part of 2021 allowed for three pelagics out of Kona in back-to-back weekends. These yielded sightings of both Black-footed Albatross read more >>
Southern Great Plains: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Joseph A. Grzybowski j_grzybowski@sbcglobal.net W. Ross Silcock silcock@rosssilcock.com Recommended citation: Grzybowski, J. A., and W.R. Silcock. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Southern Great Plains. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bfb> North American Birds. This season was marked with the increasingly expected in recent times—many species across a broad taxonomic array wintering more northerly, at least until mid-February when an exceptionally harsh cold snap with ice and snow across the region made such a poor choice. Eastern Bluebirds may have been especially hard hit by this storm in Oklahoma. More patterns may become apparent in read more >>
Alabama & Mississippi: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Collin T. Stempien cstempien40@gmail.com Recommended citation: Stempien, C.T. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Alabama & Mississippi. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bIb> North American Birds. While many birders remained close to home due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, others resumed traveling around the region, and all had the opportunity to experience an exciting season of winter birding. This winter season brought numerous western vagrants to the region, including an influx of hummingbirds, flycatchers, tanagers, and grosbeaks. As predicted, this season also saw a remarkable finch irruption. While waterfowl numbers were reported to be relatively average read more >>
Québec: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Pierre Bannon pbannon@videotron.ca Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Samuel Denault samueldenault@hotmail.com Bannon, P., 0. Barden, N. David and S. Denault. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-azu> North American Birds. Winter 2020–2021 was very mild, especially in the East. December and January were the mildest with temperatures 2–7° Celsius above normal, while the month of February was closer to normal. Precipitation of snow was below normal in most of the province. The mild temperature and the absence of ice on the main waterways probably explain why so many unanticipated read more >>
Illinois & Indiana: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb James D. Hengeveld jhengeve@IN.edu Keith A. McMullen warbler7@sbcglobal.net Geoffrey A. Williamson geoffrey.williamson.21@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hengeveld, J.D., K.A. McMullen, and G.A. Williamson. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: IL & IN. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-d7o> North American Birds. December and January temperatures were above average, likely resulting in the high (and in some cases, record) numbers of semi-hardy species. However, a polar vortex blasted the Midwest on 5 February and enveloped the region through 21 February, resulting in an average regional temperature that was approximately 4.0 °C lower than normal for February. Rarities included Brant, read more >>
Western Great Lakes: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb William Marengo wcmarengo@gmail.com Recommended citation: Marengo, W. 2021. Winter 2020-2021: Western Great Lakes. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aPy> North American Birds. December and January temperatures were well above normal for the region. Consequently, three states generated record-late reports of shorebirds and passerines, among others. February brought below-average temperatures to the region, and also to much of the rest of the country. There were no exceptional winter storms in an otherwise quiet “atmospheric” season. Highlighting the winter were Wisconsin's two first state records: Allen’s Hummingbird and Sprague’s Pipit; three other accidental species and read more >>
West Indies & Bermuda: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Robert L. Norton (Greater Antilles, Bahamas) Corvus0486@aol.com Andrew Dobson (Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Norton, R., A. Dobson, and A. Levesque. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-apJ> North American Birds. Bermuda stole the show, with the first record Mountain Bluebird for the West Indies and Bermuda region. Clearly weather, as function of climate change, had an impact on long-distance vagrancy and perhaps short-distance dispersals as is the case with the Bahamas. Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Grenada, and Barbados all provided major read more >>
Atlantic Region: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Atlantic Region. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ayt> North American Birds. Regional temperatures were above normal this season, moderating many of the winter’s effects. Various forms of precipitation, consistent with normal amounts, affected the latter part of the season. Sea temperatures within the region were at record high levels for the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while the Bay of Fundy also had water temperatures above normal. As a result, sea ice coverage of the Gulf was at a record low. The development of read more >>
Colorado: Winter 2020–2021
Winter 2020–2021: 1 Dec–28 Feb Dean Shoup deshoup723@gmail.com Recommended citation: Shoup, D. 2021. Winter 2020–2021: Colorado. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bEb> North American Birds. Colorado winter weather was mostly mild for 2020-2021 until February. From 12 Feb through the 16th, temperatures dropped significantly to zero Fahrenheit or lower. On the 14th, the high was 1 degree above zero and the low was 14 degrees below zero, both record values for the day. Denver also had some higher-than-average precipitation, getting 13.5 inches of snow. This was 7.8 inches higher than the normal 5.7 inches for read more >>
November 2020 Photo Quiz
Tony Leukering Fairborn, OH greatgrayowl@aol.com Photos and answers are supplied by Tony Leukering, a field ornithologist based in southeast Colorado, with strong interests in bird migration, distribution, and identification. He has worked for five different bird observatories from coast to coast and considers himself particularly adept at taking quiz photos (that is, bad pictures!). Leukering is a member of the Colorado Bird Records Committee and had been a reviewer for eBird since its inception. He is also interested in most everything else that flies, particularly moths and odonates. read more >>
October 2020 Photo Quiz
Tony Leukering Fairborn, OH greatgrayowl@aol.com Photos and answers are supplied by Tony Leukering, a field ornithologist based in southeast Colorado, with strong interests in bird migration, distribution, and identification. He has worked for five different bird observatories from coast to coast and considers himself particularly adept at taking quiz photos (that is, bad pictures!). Leukering is a member of the Colorado Bird Records Committee and had been a reviewer for eBird since its inception. He is also interested in most everything else that flies, particularly moths and odonates. read more >>
ABA Area Introduced Species
One of the questions the RSEC receives most frequently is about which populations of introduced species may be counted in the ABA Area. Version 2020 of the ABA Recording Rules and Interpretations has updated Rule 2.B(v) to help clarify the answer to this question. Previously, the rule said that a bird is countable if from a population that met the ABA Checklist Committee’s Criteria for Determining Establishment of Exotics. However, the RSEC recognizes that criterion #8—which states that a publication must document the first seven criteria—would rarely be met for established populations that were not the basis for the read more >>
September 2020 EDI Report
Here is a concise update on our progress toward equity, diversity, and inclusion over the last three months. As always, we welcome your input, support, and participation in these worthy and long-term efforts.
Birding Online: October 2020
The ABA continues to strive to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in birding and in the environmental movement in general: We welcome you to participate by sharing your knowledge and experiences via the ABA’s various media channels...
September 2020 Photo Quiz
A distant bird on a treetop can be difficult to identify. Distance takes away most, if not all, of the features that we generally use to ID individual birds, leaving us with only gross patterns of dark and light, particularly on this quiz bird.
August 2020 Photo Quiz
In bird ID, it is not finding a single character in the field guide that matches what you saw that enables correct ID, it is ruling out ALL OTHER species that share that character, even a semblance of that character.
Free Digital Collection of “Missing” Southeast Arizona Bird Vocalizations
SEAZ Birds: The Missing Tracks is a 117-track, 75-species, five-disc digital collection. It includes regular species with missing calls (such as Crissal Thrasher), regional specialties and subspecies (such as Elegant Trogon), rare birds (such as Rufous-capped Warbler), and long-expected state-firsts not yet on the Arizona Checklist (such as Rusty Sparrow).
SEAZ Birds: The Missing Tracks, Disc 2
Disc 1: Hawks to Flycatchers by Diana Doyle ⇐ Click the ZIP icon to download the entire disc 1 set, with liner notes (12MB .zip file). This album of the “missing tracks” for Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands is intended to supplement the popular national-coverage app, Sibley eGuide to Birds. The album currently has five “discs” with 117 audio tracks of 75 species, including regular species with missing calls, annual specialties, local subspecies, rarities, and the rare but potential dream-birds: Regular Species— Locally common birds that are missing vocalizations often heard in Southeast Arizona, such as read more >>
SEAZ Birds: The Missing Tracks, Disc 5
Disc 1: Warblers to Grosbeaks by Diana Doyle ⇐ Click the ZIP icon to download the entire disc 1 set, with liner notes (9.4MB .zip file). This album of the “missing tracks” for Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands is intended to supplement the popular national-coverage app, Sibley eGuide to Birds. The album currently has five “discs” with 117 audio tracks of 75 species, including regular species with missing calls, annual specialties, local subspecies, rarities, and the rare but potential dream-birds: Regular Species— Locally common birds that are missing vocalizations often heard in Southeast Arizona, such as read more >>
SEAZ Birds: The Missing Tracks, Disc 4
Disc 1: Euphonias to Orioles by Diana Doyle ⇐ Click the ZIP icon to download the entire disc 1 set, with liner notes (9.6MB .zip file). This album of the “missing tracks” for Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands is intended to supplement the popular national-coverage app, Sibley eGuide to Birds. The album currently has five “discs” with 117 audio tracks of 75 species, including regular species with missing calls, annual specialties, local subspecies, rarities, and the rare but potential dream-birds: Regular Species— Locally common birds that are missing vocalizations often heard in Southeast Arizona, such as read more >>
SEAZ Birds: The Missing Tracks, Disc 3
Disc 3: Vireos to Mockingbirds by Diana Doyle ⇐ Click the ZIP icon to download the entire disc 1 set, with liner notes (12.6MB .zip file). This album of the “missing tracks” for Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands is intended to supplement the popular national-coverage app, Sibley eGuide to Birds. The album currently has five “discs” with 117 audio tracks of 75 species, including regular species with missing calls, annual specialties, local subspecies, rarities, and the rare but potential dream-birds: Regular Species— Locally common birds that are missing vocalizations often heard in Southeast Arizona, such as read more >>
Southern Great Plains: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Joseph A. Grzybowski j_grzybowski@sbcglobal.net W. Ross Silcock silcock@rosssilcock.com Recommended citation: Grzybowski, J. A., and W.R. Silcock. 2021. Fall 2020: Southern Great Plains. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aj5> North American Birds. Assembling an overview for the season can reflect the repetition of long-term patterns expressing themselves that particular season. The mid-continental location of the region can also express some extremes affecting the region or parts of it that year—no year is average. The effects of significant events in adjacent regions can overflow into the Southern Great Plains. Sometimes, the patterns are deviations of read more >>
Prairie Provinces: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Christian Artuso chartuso@gmail.com James Fox fox.james.ed@gmail.com Rudolf Koesrkoes@mymts.net Recommended citation: Artuso, C., J. Fox and R. Koes. 2021. Fall 2020: Prairie Provinces. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ab9> North American Birds. Fall 2020 was dry across the south of the Prairie Provinces, with temperatures near normal except for a long cold spell in Manitoba in October. This cold weather resulted in smaller waterbodies freezing over and a rather early exodus of most water birds. By season’s end, snow cover remained minimal across the south of the region. Although some very rare shorebirds were recorded read more >>
Texas: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Eric Carpenter ecarpe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Carpenter, E., et al. 2021. Fall 2020: Texas. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-a2M> North American Birds. From a birder's perspective, the Fall of 2020 in Texas was an absolute spectacle. With the on-going COVID-19 pandemic continuing into its seventh month and then some, even birders sticking close to home were finding a variety of species that rarely if ever before (or ever again) reach Texas in such numbers. The overriding story was a tired refrain of too many species, mostly songbirds, of the western U.S., migrating or read more >>
Oregon: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Adrian Hinkle adrian.hinkle@gmail.com Christopher Hinkle christopher.hinkle2@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hinkle, A., and Hinkle, C. 2021. Fall 2020: Oregon. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-a2A> North American Birds. A warm, dry August and September brought record wildfires that burned over a million acres, mostly on forested public land on the west slope of the Cascades. Wildfire smoke blanketed the entire state in mid-September, prompting health advisories and giving Portland the worst air quality of any world city 13 September. Smoke was so thick that starlings and pigeons were noted lining up to roost on powerlines read more >>
Ontario: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Adam Capparelli adam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.ca Josh Janvrin josh.janvrin@gmail.com Recommended citation: Capparelli, A., and Janvrin, J. 2021. Fall 2020: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-a2s> North American Birds. Ontario experienced typical autumn weather in September and October, save a series of late September storms that produced an EF-1 tornado and dropped small hail in many locales in southern Ontario. The first half of November, however, brought a stretch of weather that was about as good as it gets for this time of year. Temperature records were smashed across the province, with some towns and cities read more >>
Québec: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 NovPierre Bannonpbannon@videotron.ca Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Samuel Denault spdenault@gmail.com Recommended citation: Bannon, P., O. Barden, N. David, & S. Denault. 2021. Fall 2020: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-9Io> North American Birds. The July heat lasted into August, but the end of the month was marked by a clear break in this trend. September exhibited normal temperatures and precipitation, while October was cool and wet. Finally, November was very mild and dry, especially during the first half of the month. Highlights of the season involved a high number of western vagrants and read more >>
West Indies & Bermuda: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Robert L. Norton (Bahamas, Greater Antilles) Corvus0486@aol.com Andrew Dobson (Bermuda) andrewdobs@gmail.com Anthony Levesque (Lesser Antilles) Anthony.levesque@wanadoo.fr Recommended citation: Norton, R., A. Dobson, and A. Levesque. 2021. Fall 2020: West Indies & Bermuda. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aQ6> North American Birds. New regional and island records are reported from Guadeloupe, Bermuda, The Bahamas, and St. Vincent. Guadeloupe provided the first Caribbean record of Azure Gallinule and the country’s first record of Common Cuckoo (photographed by Anthony Levesque). Never recorded in the Caribbean, two European Golden Plovers (photographed by Erich Hetzel) were the first read more >>
Atlantic Region: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov David Seeler dseeler@eastlink.ca Recommended citation: Seeler, D. 2021. Fall 2020: Atlantic Region & St. Pierre et Miquelon. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-9NX> North American Birds. The regional bubble maintained through the season for Covid-19 was successful, thus allowing more mobility than otherwise would have been possible. Good weather allowed for continued outdoor activities. An ongoing breeding bird survey in NL tended to increase the number of reports from that province this and last season. Temperature remained at or slightly above normal overall, with minimal changes to average precipitation. To the north of read more >>
Southern California: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett kgarrett@nhm.org Recommended citation: McCaskie, G. and Garrett, K. L. 2021. Fall 2020: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-bfC> North American Birds. The highlights of a typical warm and dry fall were the region’s first Fork-tailed Flycatcher on north Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara Co, and its second Common Ringed-Plover at Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo Co. Other notable vagrants included a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, California’s tenth Arctic/Kamchatka Leaf Warbler, a Northern Wheatear (San Clemente Island’s fourth muscicapid species!), five White Wagtails, a Field read more >>
Hudson-Delaware: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Amy Davis argdavis@gmail.com Shai Mitra shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu Robert O. Paxton rop1@columbia.edu Frank Rohrbacher rohrbaf@aol.com Recommended citation: Davis, A., et al. 2021. Fall 2020: Hudson-Delaware. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aDB> North American Birds. Overall, 2020 was the second warmest year on record for NJ and DE, and the third warmest for NY. In New York City, LaGuardia Airport and Central Park reported their warmest average Nov temperatures ever. Portions of NY state were abnormally dry this season with unusually low streamflow. On 4 Aug, Tropical Storm Isaïas generated significant rainfall, flooding, and wind damage, read more >>
New Mexico: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Matthew J. Baumann mbaumann22@gmail.com Raymond L. VanBuskirk newmexicobirder@gmail.com Baumann, M.J., and R.L. VanBuskirk. 2020. Fall 2020: New Mexico. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-9JT> North American Birds. This season was marked by unprecedented bird records, extreme temperature swings across the region resulting in mass die off of insectivorous migratory birds, and an ongoing global pandemic—making Fall 2020 one of the most exciting and challenging migratory seasons in recent memory (for birds and birders alike). September 28th will go down as the day that two first state records were discovered on opposite ends of read more >>
Hawaii: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Alex Wang axwang12@gmail.com Jennifer Rothe jennifer.a.rothe@gmail.com Recommended citation: Wang, A. and J. Rothe. 2021. Fall 2020: Hawaii. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aes> North American Birds. La Niña conditions drove above-average amounts of rainfall, especially in November. August was hot and humid, at least along the windward sides of the islands. As usual, precipitation was driven by the predominant northeast trade winds. Notable storms were absent until mid October but arrived intermittently through November. The passage of these storms often coincided with arrivals of migrant shorebirds and waterfowl, which sometimes stayed only long read more >>
New England: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Greg Hanisek ctgregh@gmail.com Recommended citation: Hanisek, G. 2021 Fall 2020: New England. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-ae0> North American Birds. In this region with a long history of significant sightings, fall is an especially rich time for the discovery of vagrants. This year the usual array of state-level rarities took a back seat to two finds noteworthy in the context of the Lower 48—a Gray Heron and a Common Cuckoo. The first performed for a lucky two observers; the latter drew admirers from far and wide and disappointed few of them. As read more >>
Alabama & Mississippi: Fall 2020
Fall 2020: 1 Aug–30 Nov Greg D. Jackson g_d_jackson@bellsouth.net Recommended citation: Jackson, G. D. 2021. Fall 2020: Alabama & Mississippi. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-aRz> North American Birds. A pandemic and a record-breaking hurricane season certainly made for a memorable and challenging fall season. Fortunately, with precautions, birding and other outdoor activities remained viable in our area. Migration was, in general, productive this fall, especially for shorebirds, flycatchers, and in some areas, warblers. The onset of a huge northern finch flight was felt earlier than usual. And the rarity parade was in full regalia, including a remarkable read more >>
July 2020 Photo Quiz
What do we do with this boring brown bird? We cannot even see the head! Tony Leukering walks us through how to identify this bird.
SEAZ Birds: The Missing Tracks, Disc 1
Disc 1: Quail to Hummingbirds by Diana Doyle ⇐ Click the ZIP icon to download the entire disc 1 set, with liner notes (11.8MB .zip file). This album of the “missing tracks” for Southeast Arizona’s Sky Islands is intended to supplement the popular national-coverage app, Sibley eGuide to Birds. The album currently has five “discs” with 117 audio tracks of 75 species, including regular species with missing calls, annual specialties, local subspecies, rarities, and the rare but potential dream-birds: Regular Species— Locally common birds that are missing vocalizations often heard in Southeast Arizona, such as Buff-breasted read more >>
The ABA and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The American Birding Association presents this summary of its recent and ongoing efforts to make our birding community more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Please visit aba.org/EDI to learn more and contribute feedback on this and future reports. The American Birding Association affirms that birding can and should improve the quality of life for anyone and everyone. Our mission is to “inspire all people to enjoy and protect wild birds,” and yet the ABA, along with the larger birding community it serves, remains overwhelmingly white. We resolve to work with the Black Birder community, as well as read more >>
ABA Checklist Committee Mid-Year 2020 Report
This midterm report from the ABA Checklist Committee (CLC) includes four species added to the the Checklist, and brief discussion of three records still being considered.
June 2020 Photo Quiz
A bird flying by… Better get the binocular on it before it’s out of sight! The bird might immediately strike one as a passerine or, at least, not any of the non-passerines – you know, all those birds at the front half of the taxonomy/field guide, many of which are waterbirds of various sorts.
ABA Statement on Black Birders Week and Anti-Racism Efforts
Like so many in the birding community, American Birding Association staff and board were inspired by last week’s #BlackBirdersWeek, and greatly appreciate the effort to not only celebrate Black faces and voices in birding, but to draw attention to the unique difficulties birding can pose to Black people in terms of accessibility, safety, and community.
A Birding Interview with J. Drew Lanham
"Please don’t tell a person of color you don’t see color. That’s insulting. After all, most birders spend lots of time seeing color—otherwise a Red-winged Blackbird and a Snow Bunting wouldn’t be so beautifully different. So, see the color. Respect the face. Get to know me inside. The rest will fall into place."
Alabama & Mississippi: Summer 2020
Summer 2020: 1 Jun–31 July John A. Trent jose.trent@dcnr.alabama.gov Recommended citation: Trent, J.A. 2021. Summer 2020: Alabama & Mississippi. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-b87> North American Birds. The landfall of Tropical Storm Cristobal in southeastern Louisiana on 7 June was the most notable highlight this season, bringing good numbers of storm-related birds to coastal areas as well as scattered locations inland. Sites such as Columbus Lake in Mississippi saw many coastal tern species that were likely storm-displaced, filtering through the area well into July. Rainfall in both states was near average during the report period. Temperatures in read more >>
Québec: Summer 2020
1 Jun–31 Jul Pierre Bannon pbannon@videotron.ca Samuel Denault spdenault@gmail.com Olivier Barden iridosornis@gmail.com Normand David normanddavid@videotron.ca Recommended citation: Bannon, P., Denault, S., Barden, O., and David, N. 2020. Summer 2020: Québec. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-9wZ> North American Birds. For the third consecutive year, the summer was hot and dry. June was one of the driest in years, while July was the warmest month in 100 years. The highlights for the period included a Mississippi Kite and a Burrowing Owl. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo, normally a rare breeder in the region, staged an impressive demographic explosion. read more >>
Ontario: Summer 2020
Summer, 1 June–31 July Adam M. Capparelliadam.capparelli@mail.utoronto.ca Josh Janvrinjosh.janvrin@gmail.com Recommended citation: Capparelli, A., and Janvrin, J. 2020. Summer 2020: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-8TL> North American Birds. June and July 2020 featured severe weather events and extreme temperatures in Ontario. On the evening of 9 Jun, the Weather Prediction Center issued updates on Tropical Storm Cristobal in Wisconsin—an unusual track for a tropical storm. The following day featured one of the more significant tornado outbreaks in southern Ontario when seven confirmed tornadoes tore across the province; the strongest was an EF-2 in Mary Lake. Beginning on read more >>
Hudson-Delaware: Summer 2020
Summer 2020, June 1–July 31 Robert O. Paxton rop1@columbia.edu Shaibal Mitra mitra@mail.csi.cuny.edu Tom Reed coturnicops@gmail.com Frank Rohrbacher ROHRBAF@aol.com Recommended citation: Paxton, R. O., et al. Summer 2020: Hudson-Delaware. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-8TC> North American Birds. Summers grow relentlessly hotter. This season, the coronavirus precluded some field work, such as the New York City Audubon Society’s Harbor Herons Survey. In addition, an early deadline meant that breeding statistics for colonial waterbirds that have been traditionally a staple of this column were not ready at submission time. Next summer’s report will include them. On 10 July, Tropical Storm read more >>
Southern California: Summer 2020
Summer 2020: 1 Jun–31 July Guy McCaskie guymcc@pacbell.net Kimball L. Garrett kgarrett@nhm.org Recommended citation: McCaskie, G., and K. L. Garrett. 2021. Summer 2020: Southern California. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-9RR> North American Birds. A typical warm and dry summer was somewhat lackluster for rarities, although the bizarre image of a Buller’s Shearwater swimming among wading American Avocets on a shallow pond adjacent to the Salton Sea is one that will surely linger. A Little Stint returned for a second winter on south San Diego Bay, and a Brown Booby/Blue-footed Booby pair produced a chick on Santa Barbara read more >>
British Columbia: Summer 2020
Summer 2020: 1 Jun–30 Jul Chris Charlesworth c_charlesworth23@hotmail.com Recommended citation: Charlesworth, C. 2021. Summer 2020: British Columbia. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-9IO> North American Birds. Summer 2020 was cold and wet across British Columbia, as a longwave trough dominated the weather pattern resulting in precipitation surpluses of up to 33% across central sections of the region along with seasonal temperature deficits of up to 2º Celsius. And yes, cold winds blew frequently. The few warm, dry episodes only lasted a couple of days at a time. There was much evidence of delayed breeding by many bird species read more >>
Southern Great Plains: Summer 2020
Summer 2020: 1 Jun–31 May Joseph A. Grzybowski j_grzybow