Rare Bird Alert: May 31, 2019

Noteworthy continuing rarities in the ABA Area include the Slate-throated Redstart (ABA Code 4) in Texas, Little Egret (4) in Maine, and Common Crane (4) in Arizona.

We usually focus on a continent level rarity in this spot, but there were few this week outside of Alaska. New Jersey, however, saw a pretty extraordinary 2nd record this week, with a Yellow-green Vireo in Cape May. You may recall last year’s record of this very species at this very spot, and while it would be understandable to assume that it is the same wayward bird showing up for a second straight year, last year’s bird was banded. This one showed up sans band, meaning that this is a brand new bird of the same species in the same spot, a pretty wild occurrence.

Also notable for New Jersey, a Curlew Sandpiper was seen in Bayside, the third individual seen this spring in the state.

We have one 1st record to report this week, in Colorado where the state’s long overdue 1st documented record of White-tailed Kite was seen in Prowers. Every one of Colorado’s neighbors, including Wyoming, has a record of this species so it’s fair to say that Colorado birders have had this bird on their radar for a long time. Also noteworthy for Colorado, a Connecticut Warbler was seen in El Paso and a Laughing Gull in Boulder. 

Alaska is starting to get interesting as birders are present on most of the Bering Sea islands and many of the Aleutians now. Recent reports include Steller’s Sea Eagle (4) on Attu, Tundra Bean-Goose (3) at both St Paul and Gambell, and a Red-flanked Bluetail (4) at Gambell.

British Columbia had an Ash-throated Flycatcher this week in Kelowna.

Oregon had its second Hooded Warbler of the month in Coos. 

In California, a Hudsonian Godwit in San Diego was an impressive milestone bird for one of the continent’s most dedicated county listers, and a Yellow-green Vireo was seen in San Bernardino. 

Nevada had a White-tailed Kite in Clark and a Glossy Ibis in Nye. 

Arizona had a really great run of vagrants this week including a White-throated Thrush in Pima, aYellow Grosbeak (4) in Santa Cruz, and a Eastern Wood-Pewee in Maricopa. 

Notable birds in Texas include a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher in Brewster, and yet another Mexican Violetear (3) in Uvalde. 

A young Brown Pelican was seen in Marion, Iowa.

Michigan’s 3rd record of Lazuli Bunting was visiting a feeder at Whitefish Point, and a Bullock’s Oriole was seen in Ontonagon. 

Illinois’s 12th Snowy Plover turned up in Cook this week.

A Brown Pelican in Franklin, Ohio, was the state’s 9th.

Indiana had a Brown Booby (3) in Zionsville.

Ontario’s 6th record of Bicknell’s Thrush was pulled out of the mist nets at Long Point this week.

In Quebec, a nice male Garganey (4) was seen in Saint-Gedeon.

New Brunswick had a Painted Bunting at a feeder in Hatfield Point.

Newfoundland’s 4th record of Black-necked Stilt was photographed in St. John’s.

Nova Scotia also had a Painted Bunting, this one at a feeder in Liverpool, and a Purple Gallinule was also seen at Cape Sable Island.

Maine’s 2nd record of Eurasian Collared-Dove turned up on Mohegan Island this week.

In Massachusetts, a Loggerhead Shrike was s nice find on Martha’s Vineyard, and a Curlew Sandpiper (3) was seen on Barnstable. 

Good for Connecticut, a Western Meadowlark was photographed in Hammonasset.

North Carolina’s 7th record of Limpkin was seen in Mecklenburg. A Bermuda Petrel (3) was also part of the regulars seen off Hatteras this week. 

And in South Carolina two more Limpkins were seen in what seems to be turning into a mini-irruption of this species, in Richland and in Sumter. 

—=====—

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 aba.org/nab>, the richly illustrated journal of ornithological record published by the ABA.

Join the American Birding Association at www.aba.org!