Rare Bird Alert: November 29, 2019

Rarities continuing into the end of November include a Red-footed Booby (ABA Code 4) in California, a Pink-footed Goose (4) in Nova Scotia and the ridiculously long-staying Antillean Palm-Swift (5) in Florida.

One of the more exciting finds of the week came from Massachusetts, where a Northern Lapwing (4) was seen in Bristol.  This is the first record of this dashing European plover seen in North American this year, and interestingly enough it bypassed the Atlantic provinces to turn up in Massachusetts first. Could this be the start of a lapwing invasion of the sort we saw in 2012-2013? Every time one shows up on North America this early thousands of birders attempt to wish it into being.

Other noteworthy birds in Massachusetts this week include a Barnacle Goose in Milton and a Mew Gull in Bristol. 

Tired of seeing their northern neighbors reveling in an incredible fall, Connecticut checks in with a handful of nice birds include the state’s 1st record of Brewer’s Sparrow in Madison. Also in the state, a Western Tanager was visiting a feeder in Torrington, the state’s 7th record of Western Grebe was seen in Stamford, and a female Tufted Duck (3) turned up in Bridgeport.

Nova Scotia’s 8th record of Little Egret (4) was seen on Cape Sable Island.

Newfoundland had both a Brown Booby (3) seen on a fishing boat offshore, and a Bullock’s Oriole at a feeder on the Avalon Peninsula this week.

Good for New Brunswick, a Swainson’s Hawk was seen in the southeast part of the province.

Quebec had a Yellow-throated Warbler in Laurentides.

In North Carolina, a late Limpkin was seen in Stanly, this week, the 4th for the state this year, which doubles the number of previous records.

Right on time, a La Sagra’s Flycatcher (4) showed up in Miami-Dade, as did a young Heerman’s Gull.

Good for Tennessee, a Barrow’s Goldeneye was seen in Henry. 

Missouri had a Vermilion Flycatcher near Independence this week.

In Illinois, a Ferruginous Hawk turned up near the town of Rochelle.

Michigan had a Mountain Bluebird in Alger. 

Texas had a very good week, with a Rose-throated Becard (3) in Hidalgo, a Western Gull in Corpus Christi, a Fork-tailed Flycatcher (3) in Kleberg, and a Dusky-capped Flycatcher in Cameron. 

Montana’s 3rd record of Eastern Towhee was visiting a feeder in Gallatin. 

And in California, a King Eider was seen in Del Norte.

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Omissions and errors are not intended, but if you find any please message blog AT aba.org and I will try to fix them as soon as possible. This post is meant to be an account of the most recently reported birds. Continuing birds not mentioned are likely included in previous editions listed here. Place names written in italics refer to counties/parishes.

Readers should note that none of these reports has yet been vetted by a records committee. All birders are urged to submit documentation of rare sightings to the appropriate state or provincial committees. For full analysis of these and other bird observations, subscribe to North American Birds, the richly illustrated journal of ornithological record published by the ABA.

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