Not far from Washington DC and even closer to Maryland, a First State Record Red-flanked Bluetail was found in the tangles of the borderlands of northern Virginia. A Second State Record Mexican Duck was photographed by birders in Nebraska, and there were 3 new records that birders documented in Canada: A First Provincial Record European Robin in Montreal, Quebec, a Second Provincial Record Tufted Titmouse in Nova Scotia, and a Third Provincial Record Pine Warbler in Victoria, British Columbia. There are more rare sightings to report too:
STATE & PROVINCIAL RECORDS
First Provincial Record European Robin – Montreal, Quebec
First State Record Red-flanked Bluetail – Great Falls, Virginia
Second State Record Mexican Duck – near Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Second Provincial Record Tufted Titmouse – New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Third Provincial Record Pine Warbler – Victoria, British Columbia
REALLY RARE BIRDS
Painted Bunting – Winchester Bay, Oregon
Prairie Warbler – North Bend, Oregon
CONTINUING REALLY RARE BIRDS
Steller's Sea Eagle – Newfoundland
Eurasian Sparrowhawk – Alaska
Yellow-headed Caracaras – Florida, Texas
Mottled Owl – Texas
Gray Gull – Florida
Cattle Tyrant – Texas
Taiga Flycatcher – British Columbia
Asian Rosy Finch – Alaska
Eurasian Bullfinch – Yukon
Blue Rock Thrush – Hawaii
Crimson-collared Grosbeak – Texas
Brown Jays – Texas
For more information, you can refer to the American Birding Association's Rare Bird Alert at Rare Bird Alert, January 9, 2026 - American Birding Association. Special Thanks to the ABA for permitting us to use the Rare Bird Alert as the basis to prepare this replay.
You can often find more information about individual rare bird sightings from the ABA regional and state rare bird alert listserves that you can access at Birding News brought to you by American Birding Association - (aba.org) or at ABA Rare Bird Alert | Facebook.