Rare Bird Alert

One of the Large-billed Terns (ABA Code 5) continues in Florida, though that was before the recent passage of Hurricane Idalia so we await news on whether it stuck it out or was blown to parts unknown.

We begin with news of Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall near the bend of Florida where the peninsula meets the panhandle. While conventional wind-blown birds like Bridled and Sooty Terns are not all that unusual in the state, the real story has been an impressive influx of American Flamingos (4) at several sites around the peninsula. More than 55 individuals have been reported so far at more than a dozen locations.

One 1st record to report this week, from Wyoming where a Ruff (3) in Albany Co represents a long-awaited 1st for that state. This record leaves West Virginia as the only state in the United States that has yet to record a Ruff. In Canada, only Northwest Territories is missing Ruff.

In Washington it was a good week for eastern songbirds, as both Blackburnian Warbler in Walla Walla Co and Blue-headed Vireo in Washtucna are notable finds.

Nevada’s 2nd record of Hudsonian Godwit, a flock of 5 individuals at Carson Lake, was a nice find.

Kansas had a Black-throated Sparrow in far southwestern Gove Co.

Louisiana had a Lark Bunting in Cameron Parish.

It’s getting hard to keep track of all the Tennessee Limpkins, as at least 10 are present in the state, most recently in Rutherford and Davidson counties.

North Carolina is finally getting in on the Limpkin craze, with birds in Chatham and Catawba counties.

Maryland also has a Limpkin in Montgomery Co.

Connecticut’s 5th record of Long-tailed Jaeger was seen this week in Madison.

And in Labrador, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Point Armour is one of fewer than 15 for the province.

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.