Although it was initially difficult to identify the immature gull, a First State Record Yellow-footed Gull was documented in Amarillo, Texas (photo by Janice Allen).

Birders across the southern tier of states documented 4 new First State Records, including the first Yellow-footed Gull in Texas, the first Nutting’s Flycatcher in New Mexico, a first Hermit Warbler in South Carolina, and a first Brewer’s Sparrow in Florida! Other exciting finds included a Baikal Teal in British Columbia and an Ancient Murrelet along the shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Texas continues to attract birders interested in seeing the extraordinary rare birds that include the Mottled Owl, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Gray-collared Becard, and Roadside Hawk – and there’s more.

Update: There was a Sunday report from Codroy Valley Provincial Park in Newfoundland, where a lucky birder observed and photographed the Steller’s Sea Eagle that was perched, then hunting in the estuary, and was eventually observed feeding on a fish. Earlier reports were posted from Codroy Valley on Friday and Saturday too.

STATE & PROVINCIAL RECORDS

First State Record Yellow-footed Gull – Amarillo, Texas

First State Record Hermit Warbler – Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

First State Record Nutting’s Flycatcher – Elephant Butte Lake area, New Mexico

First State Record Brewer’s Sparrow – Loxahatchee Refuge, Florida

REALLY RARE BIRDS

Baikal Teal – Numukamis Bay, British Columbia

Ancient Murrelet – Twin Harbors, Minnesota

Brambling – Kittimat, British Columbia

CONTINUING REALLY RARE BIRDS

Steller’s Sea Eagle – Newfoundland

Mottled Owl – Texas

Bare-throated Tiger Heron – Texas

Gray-collared Becard – Texas

Red-flanked Bluetail – New Jersey

Roadside Hawk – Texas

American Flamingos – Florida, Texas

Large-billed Tern – Florida

Fieldfare – Ontario

Crimson-collared Grosbeak –Texas

Golden-crowned Warbler – Texas

Brown Jays – Texas

Nutting’s Flycatcher –Texas

La Sagra’s Flycatcher – Florida

Blue Bunting – Texas

For more information, you can refer to the American Birding Association’s Rare Bird Alert at Rare Bird Alert: December 15, 2023 - American Birding Association (aba.org) 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 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