August 2, 2024
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include Large-billed Tern (ABA Code 5) in Florida, the long-staying and maybe never-leaving Steller’s Sea-Eagle (4) in Newfoundland, Yellow-headed Caracaras (5) in both California and Florida, and American Flamingos (4) in Rhode Island, Texas, and several in Florida.
California’s expansive bird list makes adding new birds difficult at times. And when they do occur, they tend to be real surprises. This week fits the bill with the discovery of a California 1st Slate-throated Redstart (4), not in the southern part of the state where it might nominally be “expected”, but up in San Francisco. This is the farthest north record of this species by a significant margin. The species is somewhat regular in southern Arizona and west Texas, with additional ABA records from New Mexico.
Also in California this week, a Short-tailed Albatross (3) was photographed from a pelagic in San Francisco Co waters.
One other 1st record this week, from Quebec, where a Sage Thrasher at Longue-Pointe is a 1st for the province and a new farthest east outlier for this western species that has been seen a number of times in the eastern part of the continent.
Up to Alaska, where we are accustomed to hearing about east Asian vagrants this time of year. A Mississippi Kite in Sitka is a 1st from the other direction. Interestingly, even though there are no records of this species in British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, or Oregon, this is not the farthest north record of this frequently wandering raptor, as a 2022 record from Yukon beats it by a few hundred miles. Also in Alaska this week, a pair of Long-billed Murrelets (3) were seen in Homer, and what appears to the the state’s 2nd Murphy’s Petrel (3) off Sitka island.
In Ontario, a Neotropic Cormorant in York is a nice find, and possibly the a bird returning to the same site for a second consecutive year.
In Washington, a Red-footed Booby photographed from a whale-watching boat in Clallam Co is the state’s 4th, and only the 2nd living record of this widespread tropical ocean species.
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.
