Rare Bird Alert: May 12, 2017

The jet stream across North America in the last week has taken a strange, unseasonal, turn, plunging south into the eastern half of the continent and arresting migration east of the Mississippi River. Thankfully that looks to be breaking, and migrants are pushing northward and filling listerv reports from sea to sea.

Continuing notables in the ABA Area into this week include a number of Western Spindalis (ABA Code 3) and Bananaquit (4) in Florida, suggesting that some might stick around and try to breed.  That’s certainly what the Tufted Flycatchers (4) in southern Arizona have done, and they continue along with Slate-throated Redstart (4) and Flame-colored Tanager (4). In New Jersey, a Little Egret (4) stuck around at least into the beginning of the week. And in Newfoundland, a Garganey (4) continues.

Arizona has seen a number of Mexican species in the state this spring, but the most exciting find of the spring came from the other direction. A Common Crane (4) in Coconino, represents a 1st record for the state, and the second for the interior west this year following an individual in Utah a few weeks ago.