Rare Bird Alert: November 10, 2017

It was an interesting week in the world of ABA Area rare birds, with a handful of false starts on the ABA Rare Bird Alert Facebook group. All understandable though, as November is traditionally an exceptional month for rarities continent-wide. In any case, the confirmed batch of new birds this week is full enough. Noteworthy continuing rarities include the Thick-billed Vireo (ABA Code 4) in south Florida, the long-staying California Blue-footed Booby (4) and an increasing number of Pink-footed (4) and Barnacle Geese (4) showing up to their now regular sites in the northeast United States and eastern Canada.

Most exciting bird of the week was without doubt a Corncrake (4) that made an appearance in Suffolk, New York. The combination of high-level rarity and convenience made for an exciting scene in western Long Island, where hundreds of birders were able to watch this Eurasian rail forage on the shoulder of a busy highway during the two days the bird was known to be present. The poor stopover choice eventually did the bird in, however, as it was found dead on the third day, the apparent victim of a collision with a passing car. The remains were removed to the American Museum of Natural History.