August 1, 2025
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area into the end of July include the nesting Kelp Gull (ABA Code 4) in Wisconsin, the continuing and now resident Steller’s Sea-Eagle (4) in Newfoundland. Additionally, a Yellow Grosbeak (4) at a feeder in Colorado, the young White-winged Tern (4) in southern California, and the Cattle Tyrant (5) in Texas.
A pelagic trip out of Bodega Bay, California, struck gold in the form of the state’s 4th record of Tristram’s Storm-Petrel, closely observed by all on board. The species has a broad distribution across the northern Pacific with some breeding colonies on the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but is very infrequent on the west coast of the North American continent as it tends to forage far offshore. All previous records from the continent come from California.
The dial turns to fall migration in Alaska, where Great Knot (3) on St Paul Island and Terek Sandpiper (3) on Buldir are noteworthy finds. Also, a Hermit Warbler photographed near Skagway represents the 3rd Alaskan re cord and the first in more then 40 years.
Good birds in British Columbia this period include the province’s 5th Arctic Loon in Sooke and its 3rd Masked Booby at Winter Harbour.
Iowa’s 2nd record of Royal Tern was photographed near Saylorville this week, one of only a few inland records of this primarily coastal species.
Notable birds in Quebec include a very early Rufous Hummingbird at a feeder in La Haute-Côte-Nord, and a White-faced Ibis in Centre-du-Québec.
And in Newfoundland, a sharp-looking Curlew Sandpiper(3), one of fewer than 15 for thew province, was seen on the Avalon Peninsula.
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.
