Report Summaries

2021–17 08-Aug-2021 (6–0): One; Apponaug Cove, Warwick; multiple observers.

This species has greatly increased in the Northeast in recent years, so this first Rhode Island record was anticipated. As with all species popular in captivity, individual birds ought to be assessed for evidence of unnatural origins, but a pattern of regular occurrence during the warmer months is well established in the region.

2021–22 13-Dec-2021 (6–0): Five; Weekapaug Breachway, Westerly; Barbara Seith (I, R, P).

This group of five Ross’s Geese sets a new high count for Rhode Island. As opposed to several prior occurrences, these birds were observed on just one day.

2021–13 06-Jan-2021 (6–0): One; Little Compton; Mike Kenfield (P).

This species has been reported almost annually in Rhode Island in recent years.

2021–14 02-Feb-2021 to 31-Mar-2021 (6–0): One; Manton Pond, Providence; Jennifer Leitao (I), Bill Thompson (P).

2021–40 16-May-2021 to 27-May-2021 (7–0): One; Briggs Beach, Little Compton; Robert Emerson (I, R, A).

2021-39 11-Dec-2021 to 18-Jan-2022 (7–0): One; Coventry; Eli Mulligan (I), m.ob.

The Coventry bird allowed close scrutiny and excellent photos. Its overall appearance and the patterns and shapes of the rectrices—broader than in Allen’s—supported the identification to species.

2021–15 19-May-2021 (5–1): One; Hundred Acre Cove, Barrington; Liam Corcoran (I, R).

Black-necked Stilts have been occurring with increasing frequency during May–June in the Northeast. The present record lacked photographs and was based on a relatively brief description—which nevertheless supported the identification of this highly distinctive species.

2021–12 06-May-2021 to 08-May-2021 (6–0): One; Napatree Point, Westerly; Jessica Bishop (R, P), Sue Palmer (R, P).

Found earlier in the day on May 6, this Wilson’s Plover was nicely documented by Jessica Bishop and Sue Palmer. This sighting represents at least the fifth record for Napatree Point, more than one-third of all Rhode Island records.

2021–20 13-Nov-2021 to 20-Nov-2021 (6–0): One; Galilee, Narragansett; Sam Miller (I, R, P), Liam Corcoran (I, R, P).

The first record for Rhode Island, this stunning juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was seen by many observers during its week-long stay in the restored saltmarsh south of the Galilee Escape Road. It was often difficult to see and required patience. Its finders, Sam Miller and Liam Corcoran, are to be commended for carefully tracking, identifying, and documenting what was naturally, during initial brief views, an unfamiliar shorebird.

2021–09 14-Jun-2021 (6–0): One; East Grounds (offshore); Paul L’Etoile (I, R, P).

The age, date, and maritime context of this beautifully photographed, first-summer Arctic Tern are typical for this species south and west of its breeding range, as documented in nearby Long Island, New York (Mitra 2009).

2021–11 08-Jun-2021 (6–0): One; Quonochontaug Breachway, Charlestown; Justin Lawson (I, R, P).

This species has occurred along Rhode Island’s ocean coast rarely but fairly regularly over many decades.

2021–07 14-Aug-2021 (6–0): One; Ninigret Pond Mudflats, Charlestown; Sue Palmer (I, P), Tim Metcalf (I, P), Sue Talbot (I).

This Little Gull showed a striking combination of immature and adult-like features, nearing completion of its molt from first-summer to second-winter plumage. Its co-occurrence with a fresh juvenile Bonaparte’s Gull and a Black Tern illustrates the dynamic potential for unusual larids around the ocean inlets in summer.

2021–08 16-Oct-2021 (6–0): One; Conimicut Point, Warwick; October 16, 2021; Patrick Felker (I, R, P).

Nicely documented by Patrick Felker, this adult Franklin’s Gull was associating with Laughing and Ring-billed gulls at Conimicut Point Park in Warwick. This is the first record for Kent County and the first Rhode Island record away from the outer coast.

2021–16 27-May-2021 (6–0): One; Sakonnet Point, Little Compton; Rachel Baum (R), Andrea Bean (R), Joseph Bourget (R, P), Dan Burton (R), Joel Eckerson (R, P), Jackson Frost (R), Jeffrey Offerman (R), Peter Trimble (R).

This first state record was found early in the afternoon of May 27, 2021, at Horseneck Beach, Bristol County, Massachusetts, by Nicole Kirkos and Tyler Tomassone. Other observers responded quickly and were able to track the bird westward to Richmond Pond, Acoaxet, and then to Sakonnet Point, Little Compton, Rhode Island. The photos obtained on the Rhode Island side of the border were not equal to those taken earlier in the day but clearly establish the individual and specific identity of this Heermann’s Gull.

2021–28 20-Aug-2021 (6–0): One, Block Canyon; Doug Gochfeld (I, R).

The paucity of documented records of this species reflects the relative difficulty of accessing its deep-water habitat and of distinguishing it from similar storm-petrels. Although lacking photos, the description provided by the observer, an expert in the field of pelagic birding, supported the identification.

2021–03 04-Sep-2021 to 21-Sep-2021 (6–0): One; Despair Island, Hope Island; Maureen Dewire (I, P), m. ob.

This series of well-documented records illustrates this species’s dramatic increase in occurrence in the Northeast.

2021–18 11-Sep-2021 (6–0): One; Camp Cronin, Narragansett; Sam Miller, Liam Corcoran.

2021–19 06-Nov-2021 to 10-Dec-2021 (6–0): Two; Quonset Docks, North Kingstown; Scott McConnell.

2021–21 25-Nov-2021 (6–0): One; Conimicut Point Park, Warwick; Patrick Felker.

2021–26 22-Apr-2021 to 24-Apr-2021 (6–0): One; Jamestown; John Milhauskas (I, R, P).

This species has been reported about annually in recent years.

2021–27 25-Apr-2021 (6–0): One; Claddagh Farm, Tiverton; Joel Eckerson (I, R, P), Andy Eckerson (I, R), Matthew Eckerson (I, R, P).

2021-05 07-Nov-2021 (6–0): One; Gardiner Pond, Middletown; Michael Dunn (R, P).

With only eight documented records in Rhode Island since 2002, Golden Eagle must be recognized as a rare species. Furthermore, some Golden Eagle plumages closely resemble those of Bald Eagles, which have been experiencing a dramatic increase in abundance. The bird at Gardiner Pond, Middletown, showed the relatively distinctive juvenile plumage and was nicely photographed by Mike Dunn.

2021–06 13-May-2021 to 14-May-2021 (6–0): One; Richmond; Tim Metcalf (I, R, P).

This record reflects the recent and ongoing expansion of this species in the Northeast.

2021–04 16-Dec-2021 to 17-Dec-2021 (6–0): One; Warwick; Marc Gagnon (I, R, P).

This species has been reported about annually in recent years.

2021–33 19-Nov-2021 (6–0): One; West Kingston, South Kingstown; Dan Finizia (I, R, P), Sue Talbot (I, R, P).

Although greatly diminished in Rhode Island since the mid 20th century, Sedge Wrens still occur as rare, and difficult to detect, migrants.

2021–25 10-Feb-2021 (6–0): One; Exeter; Judith O’Brien (I), Sue Palmer (P).

This beautiful Varied Thrush, found by Judith O’Brien and documented by Sue Palmer, was the second in Rhode Island during winter 2020–2021 and just the fifth record overall.

2021–02 03-Apr-2021 (6–0): One; Brenton Point, Newport; Sue Palmer (I, R, P).

Discovered by Sue Palmer but not seen thereafter, Rhode Island’s first Spotted Towhee showed ample spotting on the scapulars and wing coverts and a matte-black head, which are characters of the subspecies expected in the East, P. m. arcticus.

2021–35 19-Dec-2021 to 16-Jan-2022 (6–0): One; Avondale Preserve, Westerly; Glenn Williams et al. (I, R, P).

This Western Tanager was yet another rarity discovered by Glenn Williams et al. during the Napatree Christmas Bird Count.

2021–36, 2022–58 22-Dec-2021 to 22-Jan-2022 (7–0): One; Jamestown; m.ob.

The adult male at a private residence in Jamestown adds another to the impressive number of records from the Narragansett Bay islands.