Continuing birds in the ABA Area include the Kelp Gull (ABA Code 4) in Wisconsin, the Steller’s Sea-Eagle (4) in Newfoundland, and the Cattle Tyrant (5) in Texas.
Warbler migration is on and in many parts of the ABA Area, that means overshoots. One particular rare warbler of note came from Connecticut, where the state’s 1st record of Swainson’s Warbler was well-seen, recorded, and photographed at Mianus River SP this week. This was an anticpated record for the state, as all surrounding states boast multiple records of the southeastern skulker. Swainson’s Warbler has been recorded as far up the coast as Nova Scotia in the past.
Kentucky also added a new bird to its state list this week, though the circumstances were not as fun for local birders. A Kirtland’s Warbler was discovered having struck a window in Jackson Co. Unfortunately it is not a living record of the species, but a 1st confirmed record nonetheless as a previous account of Kirtland’s Warbler in the state is unconfirmed.
In Indiana, a stunning male Ruff (3) in Greene Co is the second at this precise spot this spring.
Ontario had a nice run of western vagrants among the many migrating birds passing through in the last week with the province’s 7th Violet-green Swallow and 15th Ash-throated Flycatcher both around Point Pelee.
Notable for New York was a Wood Stork in Oswego Co.
For the third consecutive year, a Bridled Tern was seen among the White & Seavey Islands in New Hampshire.
Nova Scotia’s 2nd Tufted Titmouse was visiting a feeder in Cumberland Co.
Good for South Dakota was a Painted Bunting in Minnehaha Co.
Michigan also boasted a lively male Ruff (3), this one in Delta Co.
Good birds this week in Iowa include an Anhinga in Marshal Co, and the state’s 2nd Acorn Woodpecker at a feeder in Webster Co.
Oklahoma hosts the latest inland Brown Booby, a bird seen in Tulsa.
Alberta’s 7th record of Common Crane (3) was seen among migrating Sandhills in Federal.
Nevada’s 4th record of Hudsonian Godwit was seen in Churchill Co.
In Idaho, a Little Blue Heron was a good bird in Jefferson Co.
Washington’s 2nd record of Great Knot (4) was found this week in Pacific Co. Unfortunately, the islands where the bird was discovered are off limits to birders.
And the Kachemak Bay Bird Festival in Homer, Alaska, wrapped up with a stunning and accessible Ivory Gull.
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.
