Mari Badger
A Limpkin was found in Scituate on November 30. This normally southern species has strayed northwards more frequently in recent years, but this was the first record not just for Massachusetts but for all of New England. Birders watched it forage for earthworms and grubs on residential lawns through December 3. Liam Norton took the photograph.
On December 4, Jon Skinner found a Chestnut-collared Longspur with a flock of Horned Larks at Fitchburg Airport. This is the sixth record for Massachusetts and the first for Worcester County. The bird continued around the airport through January 9. Jason Forbes took the photograph.
A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher showed up at Spencer Pierce Little Farm in Newbury on November 26, just in time for Thanksgiving. This may or may not have been the same one that appeared on Plum Island a month earlier. It certainly was more cooperative, remaining through December 15. Pam Hunt took the photograph.
Black-throated Gray Warblers have been in shorter supply in Massachusetts this fall and winter than in some other recent ones. A female appeared for a few minutes in Falmouth, just long enough for Nick Hoffman and Nathan Dubrow to notice and photograph it. This has been the only one in the state so far. Nick Hoffman took the photograph.
Ted Gilliland discovered a Varied Thrush in the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area in Northampton on January 8. It was admired by many birders for the following two days before disappearing. Steve Winn took the photograph.