guy_incognito

Yes, a Collared Plover. Nice one!

Yes, Rails can be notoriously difficult to see. Sometimes this bird shows well, but other times it may not be seen for a few hours at a time. You would definitely need to go in with the willingness to spend a few hours if needed. That said, hundreds (if not thousands) of birders have been able to see this bird, and have traveled from all over the country to see it.

As others have mentioned, the Lower Rio Grande Valley is an incredible area to bird. If you think you'll ever care about your list and seeing rare birds, you really should consider going to Choke Canyon to see the Spotted Rail. It is the first ever live and wild Spotted Rail that has been seen in the USA. Lots of other birds are there, too.

Also, in general, records are counted by the number of birds. IF all the prior were single birds, then you would have the 6th through 13th county records. However, since Whistling-Ducks are often in flocks like yours, I suspect there have been more than 5 prior county records.

I went back to NC to do two Hatteras pelagic trips. First trip went out, but the second was cancelled due to rough seas. Before the trip I got a lifer Chuck-will's-widow, but no photos. Five lifers on the boat. Only had a few Audubon's Shearwaters, and they stayed really far away so I only got a terrible photo: Audubon's Shearwater by mattgrube, on Flickr Band-rumped Storm-petrel by mattgrube, on Flickr Black-capped Petrel by mattgrube, on Flickr Cory's Shearwater by mattgrube, on Flickr We actually had at least two Trindade Petrels as well! Trindade Petrel by mattgrube, on Flickr Trindade Petrel by mattgrube, on Flickr The day of the cancelled boat was when the White-winged Tern was reported, so that turned into an excellent consolation prize for my 7th lifer of the trip. White-winged Tern by mattgrube, on Flickr

I wish I could have been on that boat. It was fully booked, so we couldn't be moved to it from our canceled trip on Thursday. White-tailed Tropicbird would have been nice.

Got this Trindade Petrel on a pelagic. Trindade Petrel by mattgrube, on Flickr Was supposed to be on a pelagic the next day, but it got canceled due to weather. This White-winged Tern was reported that day, which was one heck of a consolation. White-winged Tern by mattgrube, on Flickr

Congrats, and I'm sure you got the CCWAs! The Berylline has become less reliable. Previously it was seen throughout the day, now it seems to be only around 5:30 am and 7 pm. I found that out when I was there for multiple hours, but it finally showed up at 7 pm. Berylline Hummingbird by mattgrube, on Flickr The next morning the warblers were found pretty easily. Usually were way high up, but we found a couple about 100 yards up the trail which were much closer to the ground. Crescent-chested Warbler by mattgrube, on Flickr

Pretty sure she lives in Guatemala.

Nice picture of the Black-backed Woodpecker! I've struggled with Pine Grosbeak in CA, too. Tried a few times, and have only briefly seen one. Sooty Grouse can also be a pain, but often the Glacier Point lookout in Yosemite can be good.

Yup, got it for lower 48 #700. It was seeming to be fairly reliable early in the morning. Not so the day I was there, but finally after 6 hours of waiting it showed up! Siberian Accentor by mattgrube, on Flickr

That is not a plumage I was familiar with, but I agree that it looks like a good match. Good call @akandula!

I'd call #3 a Great Kiskadee. There is rufous in the wings and the white eyebrow wraps all the way around and meets at the back of the head.

Agree with Red-footed and Brown

Agree with Crested Oropendola.