A male Garganey, a small teal-sized duck that is normally found in areas of Asia, Europe, and Africa was documented last week at the southern tip of Texas, in Brownsville, establishing a new Sixth State Record (photo by Abhilash Tv).

Two exciting state records were added last week by savvy birders including the Third State Record Lesser Nighthawk in Oregon and the Sixth State Record Garganey in south Texas! Other exciting birds found far beyond their normal range included an Old World falcon in Washington state, a Eurasian Hobby; along with Old World shorebirds, Ruffs, in Tennessee and Florida. A Red-headed Woodpecker was a rare find for Nevada birders, as was a Smith’s Longspur for surprised Ohio birders.

STATE & PROVINCIAL RECORDS

Third State Record Lesser Nighthawk – Tillamook Bay, Oregon

Sixth State Record Garganey – Brownsville, Texas

REALLY RARE SIGHTINGS

Eurasian Hobby – Lake Scott, Washington

Ruff – Robinson Bayou, Tennessee

Ruff – Wellington, Florida

Slaty-backed Gull – Loveland, Colorado

Red-headed Woodpecker – near Virginia City, Nevada

Smith’s Longspur – South Solon, Ohio

CONTINUING RARE BIRDS

Gray-breasted Martin – New York

Hawfinch – Yukon

Blue Buntings – Texas

Crimson-collared Grosbeaks – Texas

Yellow-faced Grassquit – Texas

Black-faced Grassquit – Florida

Red-legged Thrush – Florida

Northern Jacana – Arizona

Streak-backed Oriole – Arizona

Barnacle Goose – Indiana

Common Crane – Nebraska

For more information, refer to the American Birding Association’s Rare Bird Alert at https://www.aba.org/rare-bird-alert-april-9-2021/ Special Thanks to the ABA, and Nate Swick, who does such a great job of compiling the ABA’s Rare Bird Alert, which we use to prepare this weekly replay.

You can often find more information about individual rare bird sightings from the state rare bird alert listserves that you can access at http://birding.aba.org/ or at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ABArare/