Rare Bird Alert

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

Continuing birds on the ABA Area are highlighted by the New York Progne martin, now considered by most to be Gray-breasted Martin (ABA Code 5) based on photos and recordings. The Northern Jacana (4) and Streak-backed Oriole (4) in Arizona are still around, as are a few Crimson-collared Grosbeaks (4) and Blue Buntings (4) in Texas. And in Florida, the Black-faced Grassquit (4) and Red-legged Thrush (5) were seen this week, as was the Hawfinch (4) in Yukon.

Bird of the week comes from Texas, where the state’s 6th record of Garganey (4) was seen in Cameron in the southern tip of the state, making for an odd combination as it shared a pond in the Rio Grande Valley with Least Grebes and Common Gallinules.

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Exciting for Washington, a Eurasian Hobby (4) was seen in Thurston, one of only a few records of this Eurasian falcon away from Alaska.

Oregon’s 3rd record of Lesser Nighthawk has been fairly accommodating in Tillamook this week.

Notable for Nevada, a Red-headed Woodpecker was seen in Storey. 

Colorado had a likely Slaty-backed Gull (3) in Larimer. 

It’s Ruff (3) in the ABA Area, with a nice male seen in Lake, Tennessee.

Florida also had a Ruff (3), a female-type in Palm Beach. 

Connecticut’s 12th record of Mew Gull, of the east Asian subspecies called Kamchatka Gull, was seen in Bridgeport. It’s the 4th record of this subspecies.

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Omissions and errors are not intended, but if you find any please message blog AT aba.org and I will try to fix them as soon as possible. This post is meant to be an account of the most recently reported birds. Continuing birds not mentioned are likely included in previous editions listed here. Place names written in italics refer to counties/parishes.

Readers should note that none of these reports has yet been vetted by a records committee. All birders are urged to submit documentation of rare sightings to the appropriate state or provincial committees. For full analysis of these and other bird observations, subscribe to North American Birds, the richly illustrated journal of ornithological record published by the ABA.