September 6, 2024
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include the Gray Gull (ABA Code 5) in the Florida panhandle, returning to checklists after several weeks out of sight of birders. The Large-billed Tern (5) is also still being seen in the southwest part of Florida. The ever-present Steller’s Sea-Eagle (4) in Newfoundland is still being seen into this week, as is the California 1st Slate-throated Redstart (4) in San Francisco. In Texas, birders in the Valley are once again encountering Brown Jays (4) and the Mottled Owl (5).
Delaware’s long-anticipated 1st record of Townsend’s Warbler was discovered this week near Cape Henlopen. This western warbler is an annual visitor to the eastern half of the continent and has been recorded in several states and provinces all up and down the Atlantic coast in increasing numbers in recent years. Almost certainly a result of increased birder coverage and awareness.
Over to California where September frequently means the beginning of the rare bird season. Del Norte Co welcomes two excellent east Asian shorebirds in the last couple weeks in the form of a Lesser Sand-Plover (3) and a Red-necked Stint (3). In the southern part of the state, an Eastern Yellow Wagtail was a nice find in Los Angeles Co.
Pelagic birders out of Westport, Washington, have encountered Wilson’s Storm-Petrels on multiple occasions, with possibly as many as 6 individuals seen over several days. There are fewer than 15 records for the state. Elsewhere in Washington, a Canada Warbler in Grant Co is the state’s 4th, and a Lark Bunting is a nice bird in Island Co.
Wyoming’s 5th record of Ruddy Turnstone was photographed in Natrona Co.
In Minnesota, a Long-tailed Jaeger in Polk Co was a nice find for this species that rarely comes to earth during its long overland migration.
Quebec is the latest spot to welcome wandering Wood Storks, with a pair of young birds seen at St Eugene de Grantham.
Offshore birders in New Hampshire waters found not one, but two, South Polar Skuas (3) this week, representing the state’s 2nd and 3rd records. Additionally, an American White Pelican photographed near Hampton is the state’s 11th.
The Brookline Bird Club’s overnight pelagic in Massachusetts waters turned up a number of good birds for that state including South Polar Skua (3) and Black-capped Petrel. A Lark Bunting was also visiting a feeder in Bristol Co.
And in South Carolina, a Lark Bunting was seen at Sullivan’s Island in Charleston Co, where it represented the state’s 3rd record.
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.
