Rare Bird Alert

Continuing rare birds in the ABA Area include the Lesson’s Seedeater (potential ABA 1st) in Quebec, about which we have learned a little more in the weeks since its discovery. An Alcoa smelter at Baie-Comeau, approximately 25 km east of where the bird was found, confirmed that they had taken alumina shipments from Saõ Luis and Belem, Brazil, earlier in October. While this doesn’t confirm anything, it’s yet another data point for consideration with regard to this bird. Though it is also worth noting that ship assistance would not prevent a bird’s “countability” on the ABA Checklist.

Also in the ABA Area, the return of the Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona to this space, and the continuing Little Egret in Nova Scotia.

And it is in Nova Scotia where we start this week, with the continuing adventures of the wayward Steller’s Sea-Eagle (4) in eastern Canada. After a few weeks in the wilds of Acadia, the bird turned up again in Windsor, Nova Scotia, where it represents a provincial 1st record. It remains to be seen where else this bird might wander but birders in New England would be justified in taking a close look at any large eagles the encounter.

Also notable for Nova Scotia, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen in Liverpool.

Elsewhere in eastern Canada, Quebec had a pair of White-faced Ibis at Montérégie.

A nor-easter in Massachusetts brought a number of good birds to Cape Cod Nay including at least 2 Brown Boobies (3).

Ontario had experiences a flight of Razorbills on Lake Ontario, with as many as 8 at a time seen near Hamilton.

In Maryland, a Tropical Kingbird at Blackwater NWR in Dorchester was a nice find.

Florida had the odd combination of Harris’s Sparrow and Black-faced Grassquit (4) this week in Monroe. 

Good for Manitoba, a Barrow’s Goldeneye was photographed at Victoria Beach.

In Missouri, the state’s 2nd Black-chinned Hummingbird was seen in Taney and the 3rd Sage Thrasher in St. Clair. 

In Oregon, a Brambling in Lane is the second record of this species in the Lower 48 this fall.

In Washington, a Little Gull (3) in Yakima was a notable find.

And in British Columbia, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was a good bird in Kelowna.

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.