Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include Kelp Gull (ABA Code 4) in Wisconsin, and Brown Jay (4) and Mottled Owl (5) in Texas. The Yellow-headed Caracara (5) in Florida made a reappearance, as did the Steller’s Sea-Eagle in Newfoundland.
Atlantic Canada is no stranger to European shorebird vagrants, but poor Prince Edward Island, located inside the Gulf of St Lawrence, doesn’t get the variety that the ocean-facing provinces do. That was remedied in small part earlier this month, when the province’s 1st record of Bar-tailed Godwit was discovered at Savage Harbour.
Crossing to the other side Canada, where the 1st record of Northern House Wren for the Northwest Territory was documented at Fort Providence. Additionally, the territory’s 4th Lark Sparrow was seen at Fort Smith.
Over to Alaska, where the spring vagrant season is in full swing. Highlights include a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch (4), and a lovely Siberian Stonechat (4) on St Paul Island. Gambell also boasts a Siberian Stonechat (4) this week, along with a smart make Common Rosefinch (4).
A stunning male Yellow-breasted Bunting (4), one of about 10 records for the ABA Area, was seen on Buldir Island in the Aleutians this week, along with a Pin-tailed Snipe (4) on nearby Shemya Island.
And on the mainland, a Fork-tailed (Pacific) Swift (4) was well-photographed at Nome.
In British Columbia, a Hawaiian Petrel was seen off Brooks Peninsula.
Washington birders also enjoyed a Hawaiian Petrel this week, from a pelagic out of Westport. Also a White-eyed Vireo in Okonagon Co is the state’s 3rd, and the second this year.
In Oregon, a Nazca Booby (3) was photographed near Yachats.
Alberta’s 2nd record of Chimney Swift was photographed at Medicine Hat.
In California, a beautiful Siberian Sand-Plover (3) was seen in San Diego Co.
Missouri becomes the latest state to host an inland Brown Booby (3) after a bird was seen near Kansas City.
Minnesota, too, got into the Brown Booby (3) fun with a bird seen near Atwater.
And in Florida, at least four different Yellow-green Vireos have been seen this month in Miami-Dade and Monroe Cos, with a pair potentially breeding on Key Largo.
Omissions and errors are not intended, but if you find any, please message blog AT aba.org and we 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 installments of the ABA Rare Bird Alert. Readers should note that most of these reports have not yet been vetted by a records committee. All birders are urged to submit documentation of rare sightings to the appropriate state or provincial records 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.
