A few lucky New Jersey birders were thrilled to see a Eurasian Marsh Harrier last week, which created a Second North American Record and a First State Record (photo by Ana Mendes do Carmo).

A few lucky New Jersey birders were thrilled to see a Eurasian Marsh Harrier last week, which created a Second North American Record and First State Record! The First North American Record of this Old World raptor was photographed August 25 in Maine. Other First State Record birds included a Smooth-billed Ani identified in Texas, and a First State Record Ash-throated Flycatcher found in Cleveland, Ohio. A Second Provincial Record of a Bell’s Vireo was documented in British Columbia, and there were many more state records and rare birds.

NORTH AMERICAN RECORD

Second North American Record Eurasian Marsh Harrier – Troy Meadows, New Jersey

STATE & PROVINCIAL RECORDS

First State Record Eurasian Marsh Harrier – Troy Meadows, New Jersey

First State Record Smooth-billed Ani – Barren River Lake, Texas

First State Record Ash-throated Flycatcher – Cleveland, Ohio

Second State Record Gray Kingbird – Westerly, Rhode Island

Second Provincial Record Bell’s Vireo – Victoria, British Columbia

Second State Record Black-throated Gray Warbler – near Rogersville, Tennessee

Fourth State Record Sharp-tailed Sandpiper – Bombay Hook Refuge, Delaware

Tenth Provincial Record Ash-throated Flycatcher – Hartlen Point, Nova Scotia

REALLY RARE BIRDS

Nutting’s Flycatcher – Paige Creek, Arizona

La Sagra’s Flycatcher – Indian River Lagoon, Florida

White Wagtail – near San Rafael, California

Tropical Parula – Sabine Woods, Texas

Tropical Parula – Corpus Christi, Texas

Common Gull – St. John’s, Newfoundland

Little Gull – Potholes Reservoir, Washington

Mountain Bluebird – Easton, Pennsylvania

CONTINUING RARE BIRDS

Social Flycatcher – Texas

You can often find more info 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/