
Rare Bird Alert: February 3, 2023
Not a lot has changed in continuing rarities in the ABA Area this week, with Common Shelduck (ABA Code 5) persisting in Pennsylvania, along with La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) and Bahama read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 27, 2023
Rarities continuing into the last week of January in the ABA Area include the Common Shelduck (ABA Code 5) in Pennsylvania, the Caribbean trio of La Sagra's Flycatcher (4), Bahama Mockingbird read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 20, 2023
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include both Bahama Mockingbird (ABA Code 4) and LaSagra's Flycatcher (4) in Florida, right on time for what have been, in the past, long-staying Caribbean read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 13, 2023
The ABA Area hosts an impressive set of rarities continuing into this week, with the highlight remaining the ABA Area's 3rd record of Eurasian Blackbird (ABA Code 5) in Labrador. California continues read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 6, 2023
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include the Common Shelduck (ABA Code 5) in Pennsylvania, a Northern Lapwing (4) in Massachusetts, and the Social Flycatcher (5), now in its third calendar read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: December 30, 2022
As we head in to the belly of Christmas Bird Count season, we watchers of rarities get to enjoy the bounty that comes from intensive coverage of normally underbirded parts of read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: December 16, 2022
After more than a year, the south Texas Social Flycatcher (5) is still being seen, a rare bird pillar at this point. Even when no other rare birds are continuing, it read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: December 9, 2022
One notable rare bird of Code 4 or higher is continuing in the ABA Area, the extraordinarily long-staying Social Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) in Texas, now in its 13th month. It's read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: December 2, 2022
The Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4), having spent more than a year now in North America, is on the move again. After several weeks in Newfoundland, it seems to be getting restless, read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: November 18, 2022
I was in Texas last week for the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival and thus, not able to put together a roundup. I appreciate your patience and hope you enjoy this week's read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: November 4, 2022
Another great week for 1st records across the ABA Area. November is typically the best month of the year for interesting vagrants, but it will have to be exceptional to best read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 28, 2022
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area into this last week of October include a continuation of the ongoing Red-legged Honeycreeper (ABA Code 5) invasion, with the Texas bird continuing and more individuals read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 21, 2022
It was a sensational week for rarities in the ABA Area, with greta quality and quantity of rare birds across the continent and more 1st records than many can remember in a read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 14, 2022
The long-staying Social Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) in south Texas was seen again this week, and the ABA's 10th Wood Warbler (5) continued on St. Paul Island in Alaska. We begin read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 7, 2022
There are a handful of continuing rarities in the ABA Area this week, including Nazca Booby (4) and Little Stint (4) in California, Eurasian Bullfinch (4), Taiga Flycatcher (4), and Marsh read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: September 30, 2022
The rare bird center of the ABA Area continues to be in Alaska where Taiga Flycatcher (ABA Code 4), Eurasian Bullfinch (4), Tree Pipit (4), and Little Stint (4) all continue read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: September 23, 2022
A Thick-billed Vireo (ABA Code 4) leads off the continuing rarities in the ABA Area this week, most of which come from Alaska in the form of Little Stint (4), Baikal read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: September 16, 2022
Sorry for the lack of an RBA last week. I was away in Panama with an ABA travel group and unable to make time amongst the toucans and trogons to put it read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: September 2, 2022
New Jersey's first record of Bermuda Petrel was photographed off Cape May August 27 on the Cape Sea Excursions pelagic trip. Alaska had a few rarities this week (when doesn't it?). read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: August 26, 2022
Continuing ABA Area rarities include the Gray Heron (ABA Code 5) on Prince Edward Island, Berylline Hummingbird (4) still regular at a feeder in Arizona, and the Steller's Sea-Eagle (4), now read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: August 19, 2022
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area into the third week of August include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona, the Gray Heron (5) seen last week in Prince Edward Island, read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: August 12, 2022
Continuing ABA Area rarities include Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) in Newfoundland, Berylline Hummingbird (4) in Arizona, and Bahama Mockingbird (4) in Florida. There are few 1sts to note this week, and read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: August 5, 2022
Both Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) and Pine Flycatcher (5) continue in southeast Arizona, and the potential ABA 1st Southern Lapwing (5) is still wowing observers in northern Michigan. In Florida, read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 29, 2022
Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) and Pine Flycatcher (5) continue in Arizona into this week, as does a Bahama Mockingbird (4) in Florida, and a Little Stint (4) in California. Alaska read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 22, 2022
A good number of conituing rarities in the ABA Area into this week, including the triumphant return of the Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) in Newfoundland where it seems content to read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 15, 2022
Rare birds in the ABA Area continuing into the middle of July include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code3) and Pine Flycatcher (5) inArizona, and Bahama Mockingbird (4) in Florida. We start in read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 8, 2022
Michigan continues its incredible run with 1st records of Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Common Redshank, the latter possibly from east Asia. Also, Yukon is back on the board with a 1st territorial record of American Bittern.
Rare Bird Alert: July 1, 2022
An airfield in Michigan is a surprising place for what might be the ABA Area's 1st record of Southern Lapwing. And in the Yukon territory, a Mississippi Kite is a similarly far flung vagrant 1st.
Rare Bird Alert: June 24, 2022
There are a handful of rarities continuing in the ABA Area this week, including Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) and the ABA Area's 2nd Pine Flycatcher in Arizona. In Florida, both read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 17, 2022
It's another very flycatchery list of continuing rarities in the ABA Area this week, which makes the Garganey (ABA Code 4) still being seen in New Jersey all the more exceptional. read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 10, 2022
There are lots of continuing rarities this week in the ABA Area, including additional sightings of Garganey (ABA Code 4) in Montana and New Jersey. The ABA's 2nd Pine Flycatcher (5) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 3, 2022
A lot of continuing flycatchers in the ABA Area in June, with both Pine Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) and Tufted Flycatcher (5) looting set for the summer in Arizona, and LaSagra's read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 27, 2022
There's a very heavy tyrannid representation among the returning ABA rarities this week, which is appropriate given some of our new birds. The Social Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) in Texas was read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 20, 2022
Lots of interesting birds still hanging out in the ABA rea into this week, starting with Arizona's flycatcher bonanza. Both Tufted Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) and Pine Flycatcher (5) near Tucson. The read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 13, 2022
It's been another good week for rare birds in the ABA Area, highlighted by the discovery, or perhaps the re-discovery, of the ABA's 2nd record of Pine Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 6, 2022
Rare birds continuing into this first week of May include Tufted Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) in Arizona and Thick-billed Vireo (4) in Florida. The parade of 1st records in the ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 29, 2022
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include Bahama Mockingbird (ABA Code 4) in Florida, Tufted Flycatcher (5) in Arizona, Oregon's 1st record of Common Crane (4), and multiple European Golden-Plovers (4) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 22, 2022
We're starting to build up a healthy stable of continuing rarities in the ABA Area again, leading with the recent Tufted Flycatcher (ABA Code 5) in southeast, Arizon. The long-staying Black-faced read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 15, 2022
If anyone out there is wondering where the Rare Bird Alert went last week, I was out of town for the Kansas Lek Treks birding festival and was traveling the entire read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 1, 2022
It'a April Fool's Day, and the urge to make up rare birds runs high on this day more than any other. But I will not succumb to that urge this day, read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 25, 2022
The exciting Red-flanked Bluetail (ABA Code 4) in Washington is an easy highlight of the contining rarities in the ABA Area this week. It is joined on the west coast by a read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 18, 2022
Rare birds continuing into this week include Oriental Turtle-Dove (ABA Code 4) and Little Stint (4) in California, Social Flycatcher (5) and Golden-crowned Warbler (4) in Texas, and Black-faced Grassquit (4) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 11, 2022
If you've been following this report all year, you'll be familiar with the continuing ABA Area rarities, none of which seem to show any inclination to move on. The Oriental Turtle-Dove (ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 4, 2022
Once again, the list of continuing ABA rarities is far longer than the list of new notables. Both Little Stint (ABA Code 4) and Oriental Turtle Dove (4) continuing in California, read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: February 25, 2022
Rare birds still being found in the ABA Area into this last week of February include Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) in Maine, along with the Bat Falcon (5), Social Flycatcher read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: February 18, 2022
Loads of continuing rarities in the ABA Area this week, including the triumphant return of the Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) in Maine, where it has settled for now in the read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: February 11, 2022
Oriental Turtle-Dove (ABA Code 4) and Little Stint (4) highlight the continuing ABA Area rare birds in California, with the Zenaida Dove (5) and Thick-billed Vireo (4) continuing in south Florida. read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: February 4, 2022
The long list of continuing rarities in the ABA Area has not shortened much in the last week. Though the Maine Steller's Sea-Eagle was not seen, it could conceivably turn up read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 28, 2022
Lots of continuing ABA Area rarities this week, many of which have been present for multiple weeks. The Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) in Maine was seen at least into the read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 21, 2022
There are more continuing rarities in the ABA Area than new ones right now, with the famous Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) still holding court in coastal Maine and a rarity read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 14, 2022
Texas continues to collect ABA Area rarities like Pokemon cards with continuing Bat Falcon (ABA Code 5), Social Flycatcher (5), Golden-crowned Warbler (4), and Crimson-collared Grosbeak (4). The Steller's Sea-Eagle (4) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 7, 2022
Would be ABA Big Year birders are undoubtedly starting the year off in Texas, where the ABA's 1st Bat Falcon (ABA Code 5) is still being seen, along with goodies Social read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: December 31, 2021
We were off due to the holiday last week, but back today with a special two weeks worth of rarities. Texas continues to host an incredible array of continuing rarities headlined read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: December 17, 2021
ABA Area Rarities continuing into this first Christmas Bird Count Week include the New Mexico Blue Mockingbird (ABA Code 5), both Crimson-collared Grosbeak (4) and Golden-crowned Warbler (4) in Texas, and read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: December 10, 2021
A beautiful Short-billed Albatross in Oregon and many vagrant Kingbirds in the east highlight a nice pre-CBC accounting of rare birds around the ABA Area.
Rare Bird Alert: December 3, 2021
South Texas continues to host excellent ABA Area rarities with Social Flycatcher (ABA Code 5), Golden-crowned Warbler (4), and Crimson-collared Grosbeak (4) present in to this week, as well as the read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: November 19, 2021
The only continuing bird of note this week, or at least the only one reported to eBird, was the long-staying Inca Tern (ABA Code 5) in Hawaii. One of the more read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: November 12, 2021
November, historically the best rarity month of the year, blows in with 1st records for North Dakota, California, Arizona, and Vermont, and the beginning of rare European geese turning up in the northeast.
Rare Bird Alert: November 5, 2021
The Steller's Sea-Eagle in eastern Canada is back! Discovered this time in Nova Scotia, where it represents a 1st provincial record.
Rare Bird Alert: October 29, 2021
Quebec is the center of the rarity world this week, with potential 1sts Lesson's Seedeater and Small-billed Elaenia. But NC, SC, GA, FL, and SK boast 1sts on their own as well.
Rare Bird Alert: October 22, 2021
Vermont's 1st record of Bell's Vireo is an exciting find, along with a Brambling in Montana and an extraordinary Brown-headed Nuthatch in Kansas. All that and more in this week's Rare Bird Alert.
Rare Bird Alert: October 15, 2021
The lonely Oahu Inca Tern (ABA Code 5) in Hawaii remains the sole ABA Area rarity continuing from last week. Who knows how long it will stay there? The month of read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 8, 2021
Lots of state and provincial 1sts this week, with a Golden-crowned Warbler in Louisiana, only the third for the ABA Area away from Texas, the easy highlight. But Kirtland's Warbler in MD, Kentucky Warbler in AB, Fork-tailed Flycatcher in GA, and Nelson's Sparrow in NV all delighting birders in those places as well.
Rare Bird Alert: October 1, 2021
As we slide into October, we once again tough base with a handful of continuing rarities in the ABA Area that many of us should be pretty familiar with by now. read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: September 24, 2021
Highlights this week include a Lesser Sand-Plover on the central coast of California, a very nice bird away from Alaska. Plus a hummingbird first for South Carolina and a spate of notable Northern Wheatear and Magnificent Frigatebird records in the midwest and east.
Rare Bird Alert: September 17, 2021
A Variegated Flycatcher in Florida is only the 8th for the ABA, plus 1st record Snowy Plover in New York and Yellow-footed Gull in New Mexico.
Rare Bird Alert: September 10, 2021
ABA Area rarities hanging around for another week include the young Common Shelduck (ABA Code 4) in Quebec, the long-staying Berylline Hummingbird (4) in Arizona, and littles on opposite sides of the read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: September 3, 2021
Hurricane Ida drops surprising tubenoses on Florida's Gulf coast. Plus potential 1sts in Labrador and Texas that come too late to chase, but not too late to appreciate.
Rare Bird Alert: August 27, 2021
Previously reported rare birds in the ABA Area continuing into this week include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona, Little Egret (4) in Delaware, and the ABA 2nd record Inca Tern read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: August 20, 2021
The Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) continues in southeast Arizona as it has all summer, along with a Little Egret (4) in Delaware and the ABA Area's 2nd record of Inca Tern (5) still read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: August 13, 2021
We're back after a week off with lots to report! Maine's 1st Masked Booby, Rhode Island's 1st Black-bellied Whistling Duck, and Roseate Spoonbill 1sts for New Hampshire and DC.
Rare Bird Alert: July 30, 2021
This week's report of continuing rare birds in the ABA Area is highlighted by the return of the Steller's Sea-Eagle (ABA Code 4) that has been wandering around the eastern mainland read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 23, 2021
An Oriental Turtle-Dove in British Columbia this week is only the 6th record for North America away from Alaska, and Mississippi and Michigan enjoy 1st records.
Rare Bird Alert: July 16, 2021
The Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona is the sole remaining rare bird in the ABA Area that has continued into this week, but fear not, this new week sees read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 9, 2021
Continuing ABA Area rarities include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona and Little Egret (4) in Maine. We begin in the far northwest, where rare shorebird season begins with a read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 2, 2021
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona and a pair of littles on opposites sides of the continent, Little Egret (4) in Maine and Little read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 25, 2021
The wandering Heermann's Gull makes a stop in South Carolina, the 6th state for which is represents a 1st. Plus Montana's 1st and 2nd records of Neotropic Cormorant come one right after another.
Rare Bird Alert: June 18, 2021
Notable birds continuing in the ABA Area into this week include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona, Little Egret (4) in Maine, and Bahama Mockingbird (4) in Florida. While it's read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 11, 2021
Notable ABA rarities continuing into this week include Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) in Arizona, the Pallas's Bunting (5) on Gambell, Alaska, and the small flock of Tamaulipas Crows (4) in read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 4, 2021
Noteworthy ABA Area rarities continuing into this week in the ABA Area include both Berylline Hummingbird (ABA Code 4) and Tufted Flycatcher (5) in Arizona, the return of the annual Little read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 28, 2021
The list of continuing rarities in the ABA Area has been whittled to two this week, the shortest it has been in months. Both are relatively recent arrivals to Arizona in read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 21, 2021
Tufted Flycatchers return to southern Arizona along with summery weather. We also saw 1st records from Oregon, North Carolina, Iowa, and Nebraska this week.
Rare Bird Alert: May 14, 2021
Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 7, 2021
New Hampshire's 1st record Virginia's Warbler highlights a week that also saw Flame-colored Tanager in Texas and Garganey in New Brunswick.
Rare Bird Alert: April 30, 2021
A Phylloscopus warbler in Ontario is likely a Yellow-browed Warbler, a first for the province and an incredible vagrant bird for spring in North America.
Rare Bird Alert: April 23, 2021
Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 16, 2021
Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 9, 2021
Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 2, 2021
Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 26, 2021
Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 19, 2021
A young Inca Tern on the big island of Hawai'i would represent not only a 1st for the state, but for the ABA Area.
Rare Bird Alert: March 12, 2021
Because of continuing COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. The ABA read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 5, 2021
Though COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces are declining, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: February 26, 2021
Cold weather in Mexico could drive southern birds across the Rio Grande in to the ABA Area. Indeed, a remarkable Blue Bunting in San Antonio and a Yellow-faced Grassquit in Brownsville could be the first of many.
Rare Bird Alert: February 19, 2021
Lots of continuing ABA rarities are joined by 1st state records from Georgia (Heermann's Gull) and Connecticut (Great Skua). Plus Nova Scotia boasts a remarkable 5 individual Redwings!
Rare Bird Alert: February 12, 2021
Redwings continue to show on both coasts of the ABA Area, with one in British Columbia and two in Nova Scotia.
Rare Bird Alert: February 5, 2021
More thrushes to report, this time in Maine where two Redwings represent the state's 1st and 2nd records.
Rare Bird Alert: January 29, 2021
The thrush rush continues with Redwings in Newfoundland and New Brunswick! Also Little Gull in Mississippi and Black-headed Grosbeak in Maine.
Rare Bird Alert: January 22, 2021
Because of rising COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 15, 2021
Because of rising COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 8, 2021
Because of rising COVID-19 cases in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area. We do read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 1, 2021
A Hawfinch in Yukon Territory, a territorial 1st and a 1st for Canada, is a fantastic way to end the year in rarities. Plus 1st records for Tennessee, Virginia, and Delaware.
Rare Bird Alert: December 25, 2020
The ABA's 4th Spotted Rail in south Texas certainly feels like a 1st. It's joined by 1st records from Wisconsin, Nevada, and South Carolina.
Rare Bird Alert: December 18, 2020
A Tundra Bean-Goose highlights what has been an extraordinary week for rare birds in the Philadelphia area. Also Empidonax flycatchers represent 1st records for North Carolina and Nova Scotia.
Rare Bird Alert: December 11, 2020
The ABA's 7th Ruddy Ground-Dove in Key West, Florida, is the latest in a string of good birds in the Sunshine State. This week also saw 1st records of Cassin's Kingbird in Tennessee and Barnacle Goose in the District of Columbia.
Rare Bird Alert: December 4, 2020
A stunning male Blue Bunting in south Texas highlights the week that also sees south Texas-y 1sts like Great Kiskadee in Illinois and Couch's Kingbird in Virginia.
Rare Bird Alert: November 27, 2020
It's La Sagra's season in south Florida, with a bird showing up right on time in the Florida Keys. Also 1st records for Michigan, Prince Edward Island, and possibly Virginia.
Rare Bird Alert: November 20, 2020
It's a great week for wayward flycatchers in the ABA Area, with Variegated Flycatcher in Ontario, Cuban Pewee in Florida, and Newfoundland's 1st record of Vermilion Flycatcher. British Columbia, Ohio, and Idaho also host 1sts this week.
Rare Bird Alert: November 13, 2020
Virginia becomes the latest state in 2020 to host a Gray Heron, the farthest south this species has been seen in the ABA Area and only the 2nd Lower 48 record. Also, Ash-throated Flycatchers spread across the continent and Evening Grosbeaks hit Florida!
Rare Bird Alert: November 6, 2020
It's Novembird! And the month begins with a real bang in the form of Rhode Island's 1st Common Cuckoo, as well as 1st Yellow-eyed Junco for Kansas and Pacific Golden-Plover for Connecticut.
Rare Bird Alert: October 30, 2020
Arizona leads with continuing rarities for yet another week, headlined by Eared Quetzals (ABA Code 4) and a Northern Jacana (4). Florida continues to host a Black-faced Grassquit (4) and California read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 23, 2020
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area come from the south, with the European Golden-Plover (ABA Code 4) in New Mexico still hanging on, and Northern Jacana (4) and Eared Quetzal (4) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 16, 2020
As it has all summer and well into the fall, the southwest part of the ABA Area has been full of great birds. This week is no exception, especially with continuing read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: October 9, 2020
Fall 2020 continues to be a good one, with multiple 1st records this week including an extraordinary European Golden-Plover in New Mexico of all places. Also 1sts for NC, CT, OH, and DE.
Rare Bird Alert: October 2, 2020
The amazing Eared Quetzal irruption continues and New Mexico gets into the fun with its 1st record. Northwest Territories boasts a 1st Nashville Warbler and British Columbia hosts a strange pairing of Red-legged Kittiwake and Nazca Booby.
Rare Bird Alert: September 25, 2020
Northern Wheatears turn up in Pennsylvania, Ontario, and Massachusetts this week. New Jersey's 1st Wood Sandpiper, South Dakota's 1st Painted Redstart, and Florida's 1st Hermit Warbler.
Rare Bird Alert: September 18, 2020
Hurricane Sally made landfall this week, bringing Mississippi's 1st record of Red-footed Booby with it. Oregon also gets a 1st with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. And Black-throated Gray Warblers and Neotropic Cormorants continue to turn up across the east.
Rare Bird Alert: September 11, 2020
A bunch of 1st records to report this week - Brewer's Sparrow in PA, Common Ringed Plover in VT, and Bell's Vireo in BC. But the highlight is Massachusetts's (and the Lower 48's) 1st record of Gray Heron near Nantucket Island.
Rare Bird Alert: September 4, 2020
Hurricane Laura brought multiple Band-rumped Storm-Petrels into the Midwest, including Indiana's 1st. But the bird of the week was a stunning adult Steller's Sea Eagle (ABA Code 4) at Denali NP in Alaska.
Rare Bird Alert: August 28, 2020
Brown Boobys are all over the midwest, with birds in Tennessee, Ontario, and Ohio, the latter representing the state's 1st. But bird of the week comes from Florida where Thick-billed Vireos have evidently nested for a second straight year.
Rare Bird Alert: August 21, 2020
There aren't as many birders in Alaska this fall but there are still plenty of birds, like three Oriental Greenfinches in Unalaska. Also Utah and Washington boast state 1sts this week.
Rare Bird Alert: August 14, 2020
Swallow-tailed Kites continue to make a major push into the northeast and Great Lakes, but the discovery of a Brown Booby on the Current River of Missouri, a state 1st, takes the cake as the bird of the week.
Rare Bird Alert: August 7, 2020
August means vagrant kites and wandering waders, but an Alabama state 1st South Polar Skua is a fantastic highlight of a weather-full week in the ABA Area.
Rare Bird Alert: July 31, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 24, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 17, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 10, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: July 3, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 26, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 19, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during spring read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 12, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: June 5, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 29, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 22, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 15, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 8, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: May 1, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 24, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 17, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 10, 2020
Because of COVID-19 related Stay-at-Home orders in many states and provinces, the purpose of this report is to keep homebound birders caught up rare bird sightings across the ABA Area during read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: April 3, 2020
We're still going to continue doing this weekly feature even while COVID-19 is making birding and, especially, rarity chasing more difficult. Please abide by state and local restrictions on movement and read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 27, 2020
Zugunruhe is taking hold among our remaining ABA Area vagrants. Well, zugunruhe or the fact that the sites where they are found are closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak (in the case of the long-staying La Sagra's Flycatcher in Florida at least).
Rare Bird Alert: March 20, 2020
Birders are self-isolating but that doesn't yet mean we can't go out birding provided we take proper precautions. You may as well take advantage of this time to find some interesting birds. read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 13, 2020
Noteworthy birds in the ABA Area not practicing social distancing from ABA Area birders this week (I'm so sorry), include the the Siberian Accentor (ABA Code 4) in Washington, the Garganey read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: March 6, 2020
Still continuing into the first week of spring, at least meteorologically speaking, Garganey (ABA Code 4) in California, and the Caribbean pair of La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) and Thick-billed Vireo (4) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: February 28, 2020
Washington continues to host a Siberian Accentor (4) into this week, and Florida birders are continuing to keep track of a pair of Caribbean specialities in the south of the state in the form of a Thick-billed Vireo (4) and a La Sagra’s Flycatcher (4).
Rare Bird Alert: February 21, 2020
Rare birds continuing into the third week of February include the stunning Siberian Accentor (ABA Code 4) in Washington, plus of familiars La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) in Florida and Garganey (4) read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: February 14, 2020
Last week's Siberian Accentor (ABA Code 4) in Washington joins the familiar La Sagra's Flycatcher (4) in Florida and long-staying Garganey (4) in California in the continuing category. The Accentor appears to be pretty pretty reliable these days, which is fantastic for all the birders who have made the trip to see this stunning east Asian vagrant.
Rare Bird Alert: February 7, 2020
IVORY GULL in Montana! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR in Washington! Late winter is producing some interesting rare birds across the ABA Area. Get caught up at the ABA's Rare Bird Alert.
Rare Bird Alert: January 31, 2020
As with last week, a La Sagra's Flycatcher (ABA Code 4) in Florida and a Garganey (4) in California represent the continuing continental rarities. Newfoundland has had an excellent winter for read more >>
Rare Bird Alert: January 24, 2020
Exciting for Oregon this week was a Mountain Plover discovered in Clatsop. The bird is quite close, as the plover flies, from an individual in extreme southwestern Washington a few weeks ago, and birders have speculated that this might be the same bird having relocated across the mouth of the Columbia River.
Rare Bird Alert: January 17, 2020
Continuing rare birds in the ABA Area include the La Sagra’s Flycatcher (ABA Code 4) in Florida and a female Garganey (4) in California.
Rare Bird Alert: January 10, 2020
Continuing rarities in the ABA Area include a Garganey (ABA Code 4) in California, both La Sagra’s Flycatcher (4) and Antillean Palm-Swift (5) in Florida, and a Streak-backed Oriole (4) continuing to visit a feeder in Arizona.
Rare Bird Alert: January 2, 2020
Welcome to 2020! As is typically the case, we ease into the rare bird world at the top of the year. But there are a couple nice state firsts for those birders looking to get their year lists off right.