Rare Bird Alert

Texas continues to collect ABA Area rarities like Pokemon cards with continuing Bat Falcon (ABA Code 5), Social Flycatcher (5), Golden-crowned Warbler (4), and Crimson-collared Grosbeak (4). The Steller’s Sea-Eagle (4) continues on and off again in coastal Maine, and a Little Stint (4) is still turning up from time to time in California. New Mexico’s 1st Blue Mockingbird (4) is still around for those who seek it, as is an Inca Tern (5) in Hawaii. And a Northern Lapwing (4) continues in Maryland.

The lapwing movement we’ve seen in the this winter continues with a Northern Lapwing (4) reaching the species’s southern extent of the year in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this week. This is the first in the state since the historic irruption of 2012-13.

Up to Pennsylvania, where a Lazuli Bunting was a nice bird in Bucks. 

Indianapolis, Indiana, is the site of two western wanderers in Western Tanager and White-winged Dove.

Michigan’s 7th record of Prairie Falcon, notably the first chasable individual, was seen in Macomb. 

In Wyoming, an Ancient Murrelet was taken into a rehab facility in Teton. It’s the 3rd for the state, though it unfortunately did not survive.

Nevada’s 3rd record of Barred Owl was found in Washoe, only a few months after the state’s 2nd record.

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.