Rare Bird Alert

We sit smack in the doldrums of late winter/early spring in the ABA Area. Birders to the north are still experiencing winter’s grip and those to the south are anxiously awaiting more than the early season short-distance migrants. It is typically a slow period for rare birds as this week’s report makes clear. Exciting continuing rarities include the Red-flanked Bluetail (ABA Code 4) in California, both Bahama Mockingbird (4) and La Sagra’s Flycatcher (4) in Florida, and the Gray Heron (5) in Nova Scotia, which is still wandering around looking for open water.

An overlooked mystery meadowlark in Kings, New York, has been finally identified as a Western Meadowlark, one of only a few records for the states, and putting the truth to its scientific name neglecta. 

Florida had a Thick-billed Murre in Duval, the farthest south one has been reported this winter and the farthest expanse of a mini-irruption farther up the coast.

Alaska’s 5th record of White-winged Dove was visiting a feeder in Petersburg.

And in Texas, a female Blue Bunting (4) was seen in Cameron. 

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.