Rare Bird Alert

Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA encourages readers to respect state, provincial, and local suggestions with regard to non-essential travel. The ABA’s Recording Standards and Ethics Committee has released guidelines on how birders should approach this ongoing pandemic and we urge birders, whether they are members of the ABA or not, to consider traveling to see a rare bird. Stay safe and healthy, everyone. We’re almost through this. 

Notable continuing birds in the ABA Area this week include Northern Jacana (ABA Code 4) in Arizona and Garganey in California. Multiple Crimson-collared Grosbeaks (4), Golden-crowned Warblers (4), and Blue Buntings (4) continue in southern Texas. Black-faced Grassquit (4) and Red-legged Thrush (4) persist in Florida, and Newfoundland still hosts at least one Redwing (4).

And it’s in Newfoundland where we begin this week, where the Redwing rush of the last few weeks was precursor to the arrival of a Fieldfare in St. John’s, which may be the only place in North America where a birder can find both Euro thrushes in relatively short order.

We have two state/provincial 1sts to report, one coming from the home of the ABA, Delaware, where a photographed Pacific Loon at Indian River Inlet would be the 1st confirmed in the state.

And in Connecticut, a Crested Caracara flyover in West Haven is the 1st record for this famously wandering raptor.

In Florida, a Least Grebe in Miami-Dade is a nice bird for the state, especially as it likely comes from the Caribbean population rather than the Central American one.

In Texas, a second Yellow-faced Grassquit (4) in as many weeks turned up in south Texas, this one in Hidalgo. 

And a good bird for Alabama, a Say’s Phoebe was seen in Barbour. 

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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.