Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include the Steller’s Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) in Newfoundland and the Yellow-headed Caracara (5) in Florida.
Wisconsin got a surprise this week as a stunning breeding plumage Yellow-billed Loon in Douglas Co is a 1st record for the state. This arctic nesting species is known for its irregular sojourns into the Lower 48. Those are typically winter birds, so a breeding season sighting is particularly rare, though not unheard of. There are previous summer records in the general vicinity for Iowa, South Dakota, and Manitoba.
And better late than never, this summer has seen an odd influx of Lesser Frigatebird (5) to the ABA Area, and we can now add New Haven Co, Connecticut to the list. A bird seen in June was only recently made public. The record was suppressed due to concerns about a protected tern colony. but good photos were obtained nonetheless.
Up to Newfoundland, where the province’s 7th record of Roseate Tern was well-photographed on Cape Spear. All previous records of this species in the province have also occurred on the Avalon Peninsula.
Over to Nebraska, where a Swallow-tailed Kite, one of the classic ABA vagrants of late summer, was seen in Washington Co.
In New Mexico, a young Heermann’s Gull in Chaves Co is the state’s 8th record.
Rarity season in Arizona is off to a promising start with the ABA Area’s 2nd Blue-black Grassquit (5) seen well in Pima Co. An Eared Quetzal (4) was recorded, but not yet seen, at South Creek Canyon in Cochise Co. Also in Cochise Co, a Tufted Flycatcher (4) was discovered this week.
In California, an Eurasian Whimbrel (3) was seen by many in Del Norte Co. Interestingly, the bird was wearing a band that indicated that it was originally banded in Japan in 2024.
Idaho’s 4th record of Brown Pelican was seen in Jefferson Co.
And in Washington, a Common Ringed Plover well-seen in Grays Harbor Co represents the 2nd record for the state.
Omissions and errors are not intended, but if you find any, please message blog AT aba.org and we 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 installments of the ABA Rare Bird Alert. Readers should note that most of these reports have not yet been vetted by a records committee. All birders are urged to submit documentation of rare sightings to the appropriate state or provincial records 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.
