it's spring, officially this time, and the listservs are buzzing with reports of FOYs here and there. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in the center of the continent, Lousiana Waterthrushes in the east, and Say's Phoebe out west. But let's be honest, no one is concerned about the returning birds. We have all spring to enjoy them. What birders across the continent have been clammoring for is news of the streak.
They beat down my metaphorical door wondering where the next first was going to show up or, horror of horrors, wondered if we'd have to go into the next week in first deficit.
I'm happy to report that this is not the case. This week saw two firsts in the United States, one confirmed and the second less certain.
The first happens to be the most exciting find on the continent in the last few days as not only was the Spotted Redshank in Greene, Indiana, a state first, but it's a Code 4 bird besides, and one that hasn't been seen in the ABA-Area much in recent years. photo at left by Ryan Sanderson
The second first comes from Maryland where a snipe with white underwings in St. Mary's earlier this week was tentatively identified as an ABA Code 3 Common Snipe. The bird was pretty well-photographed at the link provided, so anyone with some experience with Eurasian snipe ID should check those out.
One of several Tufted Ducks (3) in the ABA-Area this week was in Salem, New Jersey. A Western Tanager, hardly notable anymore in the state, was in Cape May.
Another Tufted Duck (3) was also in Barnstable, Massachusetts.
Miami-Dade's first record of Lazuli Bunting was notable for Florida.
Tennessee's second ever McCown's Longspur was well-photographed near Chattanooga. All the more impressive given how difficult longspurs can be.
A Shiny Cowbird is a pretty nice bird for Plaquemines, Louisiana.
Arkansas has a Mountain Bluebird near the town of Oppelo.
A Cinnamon Teal in Jasper, Missouri, is one of only a few for that state.
In Ontario, a "Bewick's" Tundra Swan was near Chatham-Kent and a Varied Thrush in Prince Edward.
Michigan had a Eurasian Wigeon in St Clair and a Townsend's Solitaire in Livingston.
Another Townsend's Solitaire was seen this week in Pierce, Minnesota.
Mountain Chickadees came into the lowlands in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. A Say's Phoebe was also seen near Kearney.
Idaho also had a Tufted Duck (3) this week, this one in Benewah.
The are fewer than 10 records of Thayer's Gull for Wyoming, the most recent of which was this week in Albany.
Yet another Tufted Duck (3) was reported from Clark, Washington.
A Wilson's Plover was discovered in Los Angeles, California.
Arizona had a Mew Gull, one of fewer than 25 records for the state, at Lake Havasu.
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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.
There has been an ABA code-4 LITTLE BUNTING in Wallowa County, Oregon. After being seen January 28th-29th, it re-appeared on March 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Any recent sightings would be posted to the Oregon list serve: http://birding.aba.org/maillist/OR01. I'm surprised that this bird has gotten very little attention, apparently not being mentioned here. A photo of the bunting can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/80672850@N02/8597536878/in/photostream
Posted by: Adrian Hinkle | 03/29/2013 at 12:27 PM
We did mention this bird when it first showed up both here and as a stand alone #ABArare post. I generally don't include continuing birds here as it would be too long if I did!
Sent from my phone
Posted by: Nate Swick | 03/29/2013 at 01:02 PM
Okay, thanks! I thought since it had disappeared for two months, I should mention it here.
Posted by: Adrian Hinkle | 03/29/2013 at 03:02 PM
According to the ABA 7.4 Checklist, the Common Snipe is a Code 3.
Posted by: Sam Manning | 03/29/2013 at 04:52 PM
For the Mountain Chickadees in Nebraska, they have been seen since last fall along with Steller's Jays which are also still around.
Posted by: Sam Manning | 03/29/2013 at 04:54 PM
No worries, it was a while ago!
Posted by: Nate Swick | 03/29/2013 at 08:57 PM
Thanks, on both counts. I guess I read the post as a new report.
Posted by: Nate Swick | 03/29/2013 at 08:57 PM
I know Cardinals aren't rare birds but I'm a beginning bird watcher and I happened to see my first cardinal a few days ago. Like many birds, they are much more beautiful up close and in person than they are on a computer or a television screen. I'm glad I picked up the hobby and I'm looking forward to spotting some truly rare birds in the future.
Posted by: Robert Alan Yeatts Jr | 04/22/2013 at 02:03 PM