Although not easy to identify, 2 far-ranging, record-setting Hammond’s Flycatchers were documented, creating a First Provincial Record in Newfoundland and a Second State Record in Georgia (photo by Nate Swick).

It’s been the best fall to find Song Thrushes, with the latest sighting on Gambell Island in far western Alaska establishing the Seventh North American Record for the species. Other exciting sightings across the continent included a First State Record Black-throated Gray Warbler in Vermont, a First Provincial Record Hammond’s Flycatcher in Newfoundland days before a Second State Record Hammond’s Flycatcher in Georgia; a Second Provincial Record Tundra Bean Goose in Alberta, a Fourth Provincial Record Steller’s Eider in Quebec, and many more:

NORTH AMERICAN RECORD

Seventh North American Record Song Thrush – Gambell Island, Alaska

STATE & PROVINCIAL RECORDS

First State Record Black-throated Gray Warbler – near Rockingham, Vermont

First Provincial Record Hammond’s Flycatcher – Lewisporte, Newfoundland

Second State Record Hammond’s Flycatcher – Jekyll Island, Georgia

Second Provincial Record Tundra Bean Goose – near Calgary, Alberta

Second Provincial Record Great-tailed Grackle – Winnipeg, Manitoba

Fourth Provincial Record Steller’s Eider – Tadoussac, Quebec

Fourth State Record Winter Wren – Fields, Oregon

Fourth State Record Violet-green Swallow – Kissimmee area, Florida

Fifth State Record Flammulated Owl – offshore boat, Louisiana

Fifth State Record Sage Thrasher – near Whitesbog, New Jersey

Sixth State Record Fieldfare – St. Paul Island, Pribilofs, Alaska

Sixth State Record Groove-billed Ani – Leyden Lake, Colorado

Sixth State Record Vermilion Flycatcher – Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Sixth Provincial Record Scarlet Tanager – Jordan River, British Columbia

Seventh Provincial Record Scarlet Tanager – Jordan River, British Columbia

Eighth State Record Chestnut-collared Longspur – Whitefish Point, Michigan

Nineth State Record Chestnut-collared Longspur – Port Angeles, Washington

Tenth State Record Green-tailed Towhee – Riverlands Bird Sanctuary, Missouri

REALLY RARE BIRDS

Common Cranes (3) – near Deltana, Alaska

Yellow Grosbeak – Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona

Northern Wheatear – Trumans Beach, New York

Arctic Tern – White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Tropical Kingbird – Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan

Vermilion Flycatcher – Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan

Little Gull – Parker River Refuge, Massachusetts

Red Phalarope – Hagerman Refuge, Texas

CONTINUING REALLY RARE BIRDS

Steller’s Sea Eagle – Newfoundland

Yellow-headed Caracara – Florida

Mottled Owl – Texas

Brown Jays – Texas

Gray Gull – Florida

American Flamingos – Florida, Texas

For more information, you can refer to the American Birding Association’s Rare Bird Alert at Rare Bird Alert: October 18, 2024 - American Birding Association (aba.org) Special Thanks to the ABA for permitting us to use the ABA’s Rare Bird Alert to prepare this weekly replay.

You can often find more information 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