Rare Birds continuing into the ABA Area this week are highlighted by the Gray Gull (ABA Code 5), an ABA Area first, in Florida. In California, the Little Stint (4) in Yolo Co. also continues.
Exciting news from Florida is that a Small-billed Elaenia (5) in Lee Co. represents the first record of this austral migrant in the state. This species has been recorded a handful of times previously in the ABA Area, but there seems to be little pattern to its wandering. Illinois is the only state with more than a single confirmed record, with two birds seen in the Chicago area about a decade apart. Other records come from Texas (2021), California (2022), and Québec (2021). Florida, however, does have two previous records of Elaenia sp.; those two records could conceivably represent White-crested Elaenia or Caribbean Elaenia.
Up to New Jersey, a Mexican Violetear (3) was a less-than-one-day wonder at a feeder in Atlantic Co. This is the state’s second record of this Middle American hummingbird.
Québec’s second record of Shiny Cowbird was of a bird photographed at a feeder at Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine this week.
In Ontario, a Ferruginous Hawk wandering around the open country of Chatham-Kent Co. would be the province’s 10th record.
A Snail Kite in Fort Bend Co., Texas, is about the fifth or so record for this odd raptor in the state, and the second in the Houston area.
Washington’s fifth Red-footed Booby was photographed in Island Co. It is apparently a different individual from the bird that spent time on the coast last year.
And fall rarity season in Alaska is ramping up with Gambell birders finding Willow Warbler (4), Pechora Pipit (4), Siberian Pipit (3), and Common Rosefinch (4) this week.
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.
