Birdcast reports weather conditions ripe for migration this week in the center and eastern parts of the continent. The west coast continues to see heavier than usual precipitation, particularly earlier in the week, preventing significant movement. That's probably the reason why the rare bird report seems weighted towards the middle and east this week.
FOYs continue to pop up across the continent as we head into the fast and furious spring migration season, and as more birders in the field generally results in more rare bird reports, the next few weeks will finally see vagrancies pick up a little bit from what we've had the last month or so.
No first records this week, but a flashy second record for Kentucky in a Ferruginous Hawk at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport in Boone. The bird has apparently been present for some time, but was only identified recently.
A Neotropic Cormorant in Murray, Minnesota, may suggest that this species is not finished pushing northwards following their impressive expansion into the midwest last summer.
Across the border in Canada, a Slaty-backed Gull (ABA Code 3) was discovered at Wascana Lake, Saskatchewan.
Always a notable bird out of sight of the ocean, a Laughing Gull was well-photographed in Sully, South Dakota.
A famished Brown Pelican was taken into rehab in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The bird has apparently recovered and will soon be released.
Birders chasing the reported Surfbird in Nueces, Texas, this week found another rare shorebird, this time a Red Phalarope.
A small flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks was seen at a water treatment facility in Pratt, Kansas.
A Barnacle Goose (ABA Code 4) is present associating with Canada Geese in Lee's Summit, Jackson, Missouri. As with all records of this species away from Atlantic Canada and New England, there's no doubt about the identification, but provenance is difficult to determine.
A Lazuli Bunting is visiting a feeder in Lee, Florida.
A Fork-tailed Flycatcher (ABA Code 3) was photographed at Edisto Beach, Colleton, South Carolina.
One of several in New England this year, a Harris's Sparrow was discovered on Monhegan Island, Maine, associating with Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows no less.
Notable, but increasing in the nothern part of its range, a Black Vulture was reported from Hamilton, Ontario.
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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.
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