June 6, 2025
One continuing rarities reported into this week, the Yellow-headed Caracara (ABA Code 5) in Texas.
The last few years have seen so many extralimital Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in the eastern half of the continent, that it hardly seems as though there could be a place where they haven’t been recorded yet. But the little French territory of St Pierre et Miquelon, just south of Newfoundland, was apparently one. At least until this week, where a Black-bellied Whistling Duck on the island becomes the 1st territorial record and, as the island is technically part of France, the first French record, too?
Not too far away in Newfoundland waters, a Brown Booby (3) cisted a boat traveling near Fogo Island.
New Hampshire’s 3rd record of Lark Bunting was seen this week in Rockingham Co.
Notable for Connecticut, a Loggerhead Shrike was photographed in West Haven.
In Alberta, a Northern Parula was a nice find in St Paul Co.
Good birds in British Columbia this week include a Magnificent Frigatebird flyby in Victoria and a Hooded Oriole in Tofino.
Extensive birding in Nevada this month turned up a fantastic array of rare birds including the state’s 2nd White-rumped Sandpiper, 4th Upland Sandpiper, and 10th American Golden-Plover, along with a Scarlet Tanager all in Nye Co. Also, a Yellow-throated Vireo was a great find in Esmeralda Co.
Colorado’s 4th record of Anhinga was shown well for many birders in Boulder Co.
And birders on the far-flung Alaskan islands continue to turn up lots of great spring vagrants including at least two Common Rosefinches (4) on Adak, Eurasian Bullfinch (4) and Hawfinch (4) on both Adak and Buldir, and Common Cuckoo (3) on both Buldir and on the mainland in Nome.
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.
