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.

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 >>

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.

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 >>

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.

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.

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 >>

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.

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 >>

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 >>

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.

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 >>

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.

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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.

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Tufted Flycatchers return to southern Arizona along with summery weather. We also saw 1st records from Oregon, North Carolina, Iowa, and Nebraska this week.

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 >>

New Hampshire's 1st record Virginia's Warbler highlights a week that also saw Flame-colored Tanager in Texas and Garganey in New Brunswick.

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.

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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.

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 >>

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 >>

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.

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!

Redwings continue to show on both coasts of the ABA Area, with one in British Columbia and two in Nova Scotia.

More thrushes to report, this time in Maine where two Redwings represent the state's 1st and 2nd records.

The thrush rush continues with Redwings in Newfoundland and New Brunswick! Also Little Gull in Mississippi and Black-headed Grosbeak in Maine.

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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).

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 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 >>

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.

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 >>

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.

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.

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.

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.