Rare Bird Alert

Because of rising COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do not endorse the pursuit of rare birds beyond your local area. The ABA urges readers to respect state, provincial, and local restrictions on non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider them when deciding whether to travel to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone.

The by-now-familiar continuing rarities in the ABA Area are joined this week by the Gray Heron (ABA Code 5) in Newfoundland and the still-present Fieldfare (4) in Quebec.  We’re still seeing reports of Northern Jacana (4) in Arizona, and Cuban Pewee (5) in Florida, along with Crimson-collared Grosbeak (4) and Blue Bunting (4) in Texas. California also boasts a continuing Streak-backed Oriole (4) and Little Stint (4).

The Euro thrush rush that started last week continues into this week in Newfoundland, with a Redwing (4) seen by many in convenient St. John’s. This European vagrant has a similar pattern as Fieldfare and, in fact, records of one frequently follow records of the other in eastern Canada.

New Brunswick also hosted a Redwing (4) this week, in Albert. 

Maine’s 5th record of Black-headed Grosbeak was visiting a feeding station in Portland.

Noteworthy for Connecticut was a young Brown Pelican in Saybrook this week.

Alabama has a Broad-tailed Hummingbird visiting a feeder in Point Clear.

In Mississippi, a Little Gull (3) is a very exciting find for Panola, the same county (and birder) who discovered the state’s 2nd Chestnut-collared Longspur last week.

In Arkansas, a Townsend’s Solitaire was found in Izard. 

California had a Masked Booby (3) in San Diego. 

And Hawaii’s 6th record of Great Egret was discovered on Oahu.

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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.