June 2, 2023

Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include multiple Hawfinches (ABA Code 4) and Common Pochard (4) in Alaska, the regular Berylline Hummingbird (4) in Arizona that seems likely to stick through the summer, and a La Sagra’s Flycatcher (4) in Florida.

The biggest surprise of the week came from Florida, which has already had an exceptional 2023, in the form of not one, but two different Large-billed Terns (5) at two different spots, one in Collier Co and another in Brevard Co. This is one of the classic birds of Amazonian waterways so its appearance in the ABA Area is always a treat and a surprise. These two records represent the 4th and 5th in the ABA Area, and the 1st and 2nd for Florida. Previous ABA records come from such far-flung locales as Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey, with the latter representing the last record from 1988, some 35 years ago.

Alaska continues to produce a fine slate of East Asian rarities including recent Siberian Rubythroat (4), Taiga Flycatcher (4), Gray Wagtail (4), and Common Rosefinch (3) on St Paul Island, and a Black-tailed Gull (4) in Yakutat on the mainland.

British Columbia’s 11th record of Orchard Oriole was seen in Edgewood, and its 3rd (and first photographed) Red-faced Cormorant offshore in the Hecate Strait.

Minnesota’s 3rd record of Chuck-will’s-widow was recorded singing in Olmstead Co, and a Limpkin in Watonwan Co is perhaps the most expected 3rd record of the year.

Good for Wisconsin was a Ross’s Gull in Douglas Co and a Ruff (3) in Vilas Co.

In Illinois, a Gull-billed Tern in Cook Co is one of very few records for the state.

Michigan’s 9th Fork-tailed Flycatcher (3) in Monroe Co is also the second seen in the state this spring. Also notable were a Least Tern in Cheboyghan Co  and a Tricolored Heron in Macomb Co.

A Ferruginous Hawk in Erieau, Ontario, was taken in by a rehabber where it was eventually released with a geolocator and tracked back westward into Michigan.

New York had a Curlew Sandpiper (3) this week in Nassau Co.

And good for Quebec was an Acadian Flycatcher in Maizerets.

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.