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Rare birds a bit scarce locally
Oklahoma Mesonet reported 0.95 inches of rainfall over the past week, which took a month to get here.
No rare birds were reported in Payne County over the same seven-day period.
The nationwide rare/vagrant birds for the past week are coming in a mad rush! The continuing individuals were Newfoundland’s Steller’s Sea-Eagle, Hawaii’s Blue Rock-Thrush, Mottled Owl, Cattle Tyrant, Brown Jay, and Crimson-collared Grosbeak for Texas.
The Brambling visited Newfoundland, Nova Scotia procured a Tufted Titmouse, which one would not think would be so rare, but it is only the province’s second, British Columbia shared a Taiga Flycatcher, also a first report, and Pine Warbler also made an appearance.
The Province of Quebec shared its first European Robin, which is not the first for North America, though they have been sticking rather closely to the east coast. They do tend to be a lot more common in Iceland and the Azores (off the coast of Europe). They must travel with the polar vortex.
Connecticut enjoyed Townsend’s Warbler, New Jersey begat a Short-billed Gull, which came from the Mew Gull split, and Delaware shared Cinnamon Teal.
New York had a Short-billed Gull fall into their laps, Cassin’s Sparrow, AND Glaucous winged Gull, which also ignored Ontario’s border for a visit there, as well.
Florida was graced by Little Gull, while Indiana shared Pine Grosbeak and Ferruginous Hawk, as Michigan enjoyed Cassin’s Finch.
Nebraska also had double trouble with Crested Caracara and Mexican Duck, as Kansas counted a Great Kiskadee.
Colorado tagged Ross’s Gull, and Washington raved about Whooper Swan and Winter
DEB HIRT
Wren.
Oregon brought up the rear with Painted Bunting, and Hooded and Prairie Warblers, which was not bad for a winter season.
Boomer Lake added Canada Goose, Mallard, Canvasback, Bufflehead, Mourning Dove, Ring-billed Gull, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Carolina Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, Harris’s, White-throated, and Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, European Starling, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, American Coot, American Herring Gull, American Kestrel, Cackling Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, House Finch, Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Lake Carl Blackwell counted Northern Shoveler, Greenwinged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Pied-billed Grebe, American White Pelican, Bald Eagle, Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Bonaparte’s Gull, Red-tailed Hawk, American Pipit, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Harrier, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Pine Siskin.
Lake Carl Blackwell-Dam tagged Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye hybrid, Lesser Blackbacked Gull, Eastern Phoebe, Red Fox and Savannah Sparrows, Spotted and Eastern Towhees, Western Meadowlark, Audubon’s and Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Common Grackle.
The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University shared Cackling Goose, Barred Owl, Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shafted Northern Flicker, and Winter Wren.
Teal Ridge Wetland penciled in Great Horned Owl, Swamp Sparrow, and Wilson’s Snipe.
Sanborn Lake shouted out Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Keep your eyes on the ground and your head in the clouds.
Happy birding! Deb Hirt is a wild bird rehabilitator and photographer living in Stillwater.
A Blue Rock-Thrush.
TISHA MUKHERJEE, CC BY-SA 4.0
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