Rare Bird Alert

The two Large-billed Terns (ABA Code 5) in Florida lead off the list of notable continuing rarities in the ABA Area. They’re joined by the small flock of Brown Jays (4) in south Texas and the Steller’s Sea-Eagle (4) in eastern Newfoundland, rather than western as reported previously. Both Gray-streaked Flycatcher (4) and multiple Hawfinches (4) continue to be seen in Alaska, and the now-annual Berylline Hummingbird (4) in Arizona appears to be sticking out the summer.

It has already been quite a summer for White-winged Tern (4) in the ABA Area, as one in New York last month presaged the discovery of one at Point Mouillee, in Monroe Co, Michigan, which represented that state’s 1st record. That bird disappeared earlier this week, only to presumably turn up at Point Pelee, Ontario, for the province’s 4th or so record.

Also in Michigan this week, the state’s 3rd record of Limpkin in Oakland Co.

Before there were Limpkins, there were Neotropic Cormorants spreading across the continent. There still remain a few states and provinces who have not yet recorded this species but that list becomes one shorter with the discovery of a 1st record in Dickey Co, North Dakota.

In Nevada, a male Varied Bunting that struck a residential window in Clark Co becomes that state’s 1st record. Fortunately, the bird was not killed and was taken to a rehabilitation center where it was released after a couple days in captivity.

Out to California, where a sharp-looking Red-headed Woodpecker in San Francisco is the state’s 6th record.

Up to Yukon Territory where an Arctic Warbler in Whitehorse is a 2nd for the territory.

Increasingly annual in recent years, a Plain-capped Starthroat (3) was photographed in Santa Cruz Co, Arizona.

In Nunavut, a Western Tanager was notable in Iqaluit.

Quebec had a young Roseate Spoonbill in Quebec City.

In Labrador, both a Chestnut-sided Warbler and a Canada Warbler in Red Bay are good birds for the mainland part of the province.

Rhode Island had a well-documented Magnificent Frigatebird this week at Point Judith.

The first for Connecticut in some time a Brown Pelican was seen at the mouth of the Housatonic River.

And in North Carolina, a Heermann’s Gull in Carteret Co is likely the same bird that has been seen in the state previously, and has been traveling up and down the southeast coast for many months.

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.