Birders found and later documented a first winter record of a Pacific Golden Plover at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in coastal North Carolina, where a Black-headed Gull was also reported.

The states of Connecticut and North Carolina led the way in rare bird sightings last week, which included a Fourth State Record Short-billed Gull and a Tenth State Record Dovekie in Connecticut, along with a Little Gull, LeConte’s Sparrow, and Black-throated Gray Warbler! North Carolina birders also found a rare wintering Pacific Golden Plover and a Black-headed Gull at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. An exciting backyard sighting included 3 Gray-crowned Rosy Finches that established an Eighth State Record in Wisconsin. And there’s more …

STATE & PROVINCIAL RECORDS

Fourth State Record Short-billed Gull – Stamford, Connecticut

Eighth State Record Gray-crowned Rosy Finches (3) – Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Tenth State Record Dovekie – Stonington, Connecticut

REALLY RARE BIRDS

Fan-tailed Warbler – Brownsville, Texas

Ruff – Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland

Purple Gallinule – Medford, New York

Pacific Golden Plover – Alligator River Refuge, North Carolina

Black-headed Gull – Alligator River Refuge, North Carolina

Little Gull – Stonington, Connecticut

LeConte’s Sparrow – Westport, Connecticut

Black-throated Gray Warbler – Tolland, Connecticut

CONTINUING REALLY RARE BIRDS

Steller’s Sea Eagle – Newfoundland

Bare-throated Tiger Heron – Texas

Mottled Owl – Texas

Red-flanked Bluetail – New Jersey

Gray-collared Becard – Texas

Roadside Hawks – Texas

American Flamingos – Florida, Alabama

Gray Heron – Nova Scotia

Nutting’s Flycatcher – New Mexico

Brown Jays – Texas

Golden-crowned Warbler – Texas

Crimson-collared Grosbeak –Texas

You can often find more info about individual rare bird sightings from the ABA 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