January 31, 2025
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include Northern Lapwing (ABA Code 4) in Massachusetts, along with the long-staying Cattle Tyrant (5), Brown Jay (4), and Mottled Owl (5) in Texas. Florida is still hosting a Yellow-headed Caracara (5), and the two Eurasian Sparrowhawks (5) on Adak, Alaska, continue into this week.
The past week has been pretty incredible for Baikal Teal (4) in Oregon. A bird found near Portland in Multnomah Co was followed a day later by a bird in Lane Co, representing the 4th and 5th records for the state. But notably, these are the first chaseable individuals of this species, with all previous records coming out of hunters’ bags.
South Dakota also got into the duck game this week, when a Harlequin Duck was found in Lyman Co. There are fewer than 10 records of the species for the state.
And the duck fun extends into Minnesota, too, where the state’s 2nd record of Mottled Duck was found in Dakota Co.
Good birds in Arkansas this week include the state’s 2nd Short-billed Gull in Crawford Co and the state’s 7th Chestnut-collared Longspur in Washington Co.
Texas had its second Kelp Gull (3) of the young year when a bird turned up in Cameron Co, only a few days after the state’s 1st Gray Gull departed.
Notable for Florida was a Sage Thrasher at St Marks NWR in Walton Co.
And New York becomes the latest state this winter to host a Northern Lapwing, when one was found in Suffolk Co. It is the state’s 6th 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.
