Rare Bird Alert: January 12, 2018

It was a relatively slow week in rare birds this week, with the continuing ABA rarities almoat as numerous as the new birds of note. The ABA 1st record Mistle Thrush is still holding court in Miamichi, New Brunswick. Texas boasts both Blue Bunting (ABA Code 4) and Tamaulipas Crows (4) in the lower Rio Grande Valley. The Hawfinch (4) is still being seen in an Anchorange, Alaska, neighborhood. California has at least 3 good ABA Area birds sticking around in Garganey (4), Nazca Booby (4), and White Wagtail. In Arizona, the Sinaloa Wren (5) is still being seen and may stick around as others have in the past. And Pink-footed Goose (4) and Barnacle Goose (4) are being reported at a number of spots in the northeast.

With the largest state list in the ABA Area, it’s a big deal when California gets a potential new species. They added Citrine Wagtail at the end of last year and this year starts off with a Tropical Parula (3) in Orange. The bird has been on private property, but local birders have been able to arrange opportunities to see it to great effect.