An adult female First State Record Flame-colored Tanager has been observed by many birders at Sheridan Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (photo by Kyle Arpke).

Foremost among a long line of rare birds documented last week was a celebrated new First State Record established in Wisconsin – an adult female Flame-colored Tanager at Sheridan Park in Milwaukee! Normally found from northern Mexico to western Panama, the species has been recorded in Texas and Arizona, but Wisconsin is a far cry from our southern border. Other First State Records included a Baird’s Sparrow in Georgia, a Swainson’s Warbler in Minnesota, a Heermann’s Gull in Ohio, and a Red-footed Booby in New Jersey.

There were also 2 Third State Records, a Bullock’s Oriole in Indiana, and a Limpkin in Kentucky; and a Ninth Provincial Record Black-tailed Gull was photographed in British Columbia. Canada has reclaimed the renowned Steller’s Sea Eagle; after it wintered in Maine, it’s now being seen in the Port Union area of Newfoundland. There are many other exciting rare birds reported by birders last week, which are listed below:

STATE & PROVINCIAL RECORDS

First State Record Flame-colored Tanager – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

First State Record Baird’s Sparrow – Roswell, Georgia

First State Record Swainson’s Warbler – Edina, Minnesota

First State Record Heermann’s Gull – Lorain Harbor, Ohio

First State Record Red-footed Booby – Tabernacle area, New Jersey

Third State Record Bullock’s Oriole – Greene County, Indiana

Third State Record Limpkin – Shelby Lake, Kentucky

Ninth Provincial Record Black-tailed Gull – near Victoria, British Columbia

NEW REALLY RARE BIRDS

Eurasian Jackdaw – Muskrat Falls, Labrador

Garganey – near Lockney, Texas

Common Crane – Upper Laberge, Yukon

Slate-colored Redstart – Lubbock, Texas

Painted Redstart – Elkhart, Kansas

Brambling – Pine County, Minnesota

Northern Lapwing – St. John’s, Newfoundland

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – Ocean Shores, Washington

Gray Kingbird – Barnegat, New Jersey

King Rail – Trustom Pond Refuge, Rhode Island

White-winged Dove – Atlantic City, New Jersey

Swainson’s Warbler – East Northport, New York

Townsend’s Warbler – Point Pelee, Ontario

Townsend’s Warbler – Metzger Marsh, Ohio

Vermillion Flycatcher – near Macomb, Michigan

Lazuli Bunting – near Mansfield, Louisiana

CONTINUING REALLY RARE BIRDS

Steller’s Sea Eagle – Port Unition area, Newfoundland

Tundra Bean Goose – California

Blue Bunting – Texas

Brown Jays – Texas

LaSagra’s Flycatcher – Florida

Bahama Mockingbird – Florida

Red-legged Honeycreeper – Florida

For more information, refer to the American Birding Association’s Rare Bird Alert at Rare Bird Alert: May 5, 2023 – American Birding Association (aba.org) 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 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/