February 14, 2025
ABA Area rarities continuing into this week include the pair of Eurasian Sparrowhawks (ABA Code 5) in Alaska and Cattle Tyrant (5), Brown Jay (4), and Mottled Owl (5), in Texas. Northern Lapwings (4) continue in both New York and Massachusetts, and a Yellow-headed Caracara (5) is still being seen in Florida.
Kansas enjoyed quite the confluence of rare gulls in the first part of the month. A Ross’s Gull, the state’s 1st, near Dodge City thrilled birders for several days before it was eventually and unfortunately found dead. A likely Slaty-backed Gull (3) nearby in Reno Co also represented a 1st for the state.
Out in California, the state’s 2nd record of Lesser Frigatebird (5) caused great excitement as it slowly cruised along the San Diego Co coast for several hours before disappearing off to the south from Point Loma. This species has a bizarre pattern of vagrancy in the ABA Area, having turned up in the past in places like Wyoming, Michigan, and Maine. A Swallow-tailed Gull (5) was also seen in Los Angeles Co this month. This is the latest of several accounts of this species in California since 2023, leading to speculation that it might be one bird cruising up and down the coast.
In Texas, a Rufous-backed Robin (3) was seen near San Antonio in Kimble Co, and a Crimson-collared Grosbeak (4) is currently in Hidalgo Co.
Iowa’s 2nd Crested Caracara was reported from Fort Madison this week.
And notable for Quebec was a Spotted Towhee in Lanaudière, one of several records of this western species in the east this winter.
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.
