August 12, 2022

Continuing ABA Area rarities include Steller’s Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) in Newfoundland, Berylline Hummingbird (4) in Arizona, and Bahama Mockingbird (4) in Florida.

There are few 1sts to note this week, and we start with one that is an ABA Area rarity as well. A Gray Heron (5) was seen in Covehead Harbour, Prince Edward Island, representing not only a 1st for the province but also the first record of this Old World equivalent of Great Blue Heron away from Alaska or Newfoundland.

Edit: I inadvertently forgot a bird seen a few years ago between Nova Scotia and Virginia. Thanks to commenters for catching my mistake.

But it’s Wisconsin that takes the cake this week as the state boasts two potential 1sts seen on one day this week. A Brown Booby (3) near La Crosse was quite close to the Minnesota border, a fact that Minnesota birders are no doubt watching closely. Wisconsin also joins the Limpkin sweepstakes with a bird seen in Dane this week, also a 1st.

Illinois also gets into the fun with the state’s 5th record of Limpkin in Mason.

And Missouri, too, where a Limpkin in Greene is the state’s 8th, all the more shocking considering its 1st was only two weeks ago.

To Indiana, where a Swallow-tailed Kite was photographed near South Bend.

Nebraska’s 4th record of White Ibis was spotted in York.

In Pennsylvania, a Wood Stork in Lebanon is a nice bird for the state, and one of a handful this summer so far.

In Maine, a single White Ibis in York was followed days later by a flock of 20 or so.

And in Alaska, a Long-toed Stint (3) in St Paul is an exciting find for visiting birders.

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.