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The following largely unconfirmed records were published in the Bulletin of the African Bird Club for information only. Some records were originally published in Birding World and Dutch Birding.

The following records relate to the period October 2005-March 2006. An unidentified frigatebird was reported in November. Both Pied-billed Grebes Podylimbus podiceps on São Miguel stayed into March at Lagoa Azul (from at least 3 November) and Lagoa Furnas (from 27 October); a first-year was at Lajes, Pico, on 18-19 December. A first-winter Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus was present at Madalena, Pico, from 23 January to at least 17 February. The ninth and 10th Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax for the Azores were found on Flores on 1 November and at Ponta Delgada harbour, São Miguel, from 18 November. The Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias at Lagoa Branca, Flores, first seen on 22 September, was still present on 15 February. Sightings of Ring-necked Ducks Aythya collaris included seven at Sete Ciudades, São Miguel, and four at Poco da Alagoinha, Flores, through December.

A first-year Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus on São Miguel on 21 November was apparently the fourth for the Azores, whereas a possible first-winter male Hen Harrier C. cyaneus hudsonius at Lagoa Rasa, Flores, on 8 November may be accepted as the first or second for the islands. An American Coot Fulica americana was at Lagoa de Capitão, Pico, from at least 19 December to 7 January, and at Lajes, Pico, on 23 January. A Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus was still present at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 21 December, with up to two there from early January to at least 14 February, and one at Ponta Delgada, Flores, on 1-15 February. A Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla was seen at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, from at least 8 November to 14 February. A Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus, first seen on Flores on 11 November, was present on Corvo from 19 November through December.The first-year Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda reported from Ponta Delgada, Flores, on 30 October, remained through most of November. At Lajes, Flores, a Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius was seen from 30 January to 10 February.

Laughing Gulls Larus atricilla remained in the Azores throughout the period: of the group of ten at Ponta Delgada, Flores, in mid-November, three were still present in late December; up to eight were found in the islands from late January to early March. Mediterranean Gulls L. melanocephalus were reported from Terceira on 21 December (one) and from early January to at least 12 February (up to three), and from São Miguel, from early January to at least 19 February (up to three). Several American Herring Gulls L. argentatus smithsonianus were identified on Flores in late December. A group of 17 Ring-billed Gulls L. delawarensis was seen at Praia da Vitoria, Terceira, on 22 December. Single Iceland Gulls L. glaucoides  were found at Lajes, Pico, on 7 January, at Horta harbour, Faial, on 16 February, and at Santa Cruz, Graciosa, on 11 February. The first-winter Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri on Terceira, first seen on 30 October, was still present on 22 November.

Four Chimney Swifts Chaetura pelagica at Horta, Faial, on 10 November, were the last of a remarkable influx. A first-year female Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon was observed at Santa Cruz, Graciosa, from 9 December to at least 18 February. An American Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens rubescens was found at Lagoa do Peixinho, Pico, on 23 January. Fieldfares Turdus pilaris were reported from Lagoa Azul, São Miguel, on 24 November (one) and Serra Branca, Graciosa, on 21 December (a flock of 16); there are few records for the Azores. A Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita was present on Corvo on 23-26 December.

The first White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus for the Western Palearctic, observed on Corvo on 22-23 October, was seen again on 23 November (unless it concerned another individual). On the same island, the first Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina for the Azores was discoverd on 21 November. Still on Corvo, the female Black-throated Blue Warbler Dendroica caerulesens from 24 October was last seen on 23 November and the Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla from 1 November was still present on 25 December. Also there was another first for the Azores: a female Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas, found on 30 November. The Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler Dendroica coronata on São Miguel, first seen on 21 November, was still present on 15 December.

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The following records are from April - August 2005. On the Salvages, up to four Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus remained from 25 May until at least 15 June, and a pale-morph Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae was seen on 10 June. An American Coot Fulica americana was at Furnas Lagoon, São Miguel, on 8-16 April at least. A Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica and a Black-tailed Godwit L. limosa were found at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 11 June. On Praia islet, Graciosa, an adult Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus remained from mid May to early August. Other August reports included a Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes also there on 4th. A Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus was observed at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 3 August. Least Sandpipers Calidris minutilla were at Capelinhos lighthouse, Faial, from 30 July to 2 August and at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 3 August. An adult and a pair of Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata were present on Ilhéu da Vila this year (reportedly, one chick hatched). On 4 August, a Bridled Tern was recorded at Ilhéu da Praia, Graciosa. Three Common House Martins Delichon urbicum were at Povoção, São Miguel, on 13 April, and a male Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica was reported from the Salvages on 11 June.

An exceptional number of Nearctic vagrants was reported in September - November 2005, with more than ten potential first records, mostly on the westernmost islands of Corvo and Flores. A Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps was at Lagoa Azul, São Miguel, in the first half of November (presumably first seen at Lagoa Furnas on 27 October), with a second at Lagoa da Funda, Flores, on 9 November, and a report from Terceira, on 13 November. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors were reported from Cabo da Praia, Terceira (one), Lagoa Azul, São Miguel (two) and Flores (four). Other vagrant waterfowl included up to seven Ring-necked Ducks Aythya collaris and up to three Lesser Scaup A. affinis at Lagoa Azul, São Miguel, in the first half of November and, on Flores, a female American Wigeon Anas americana on 2 November, three American Black Ducks A. rubripes on 8 November, with one there on 18th, and three Ring-necked Ducks also on 18th.

American Bitterns Botaurus lentiginosus were found at Faja dos Cubres, São Jorge, on 21 September, on São Miguel on 27 October, and on Flores on 17 November. Up to four Great White Egrets Egretta alba of the race egretta were identified on São Miguel from 1 November and one was seen on Terceira on 4 November. A Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias stayed on Flores from 22 September to at least 21 November. An immature Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus hudsonius flew over Lagoa Rasa, Flores, on 8 November. A crake, at Praia da Vitoria, Terceira, from 19 October to 2 November, was not a Sora Rail Porzana carolina but proved to be the first Spotted Crake P. parva for the Azores since 1966. A Killdeer Charadrius vociferus was on Flores on 9–19 November at least. One or two Least Sandpipers were seen at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 20-22 September and from 25 October to at least 15 November. On Flores, a Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago gallinago delicata was reported at Lagoa Rasa on 8 November. Three Short-billed Dowitchers Limnodromus griseus were seen at Cabo da Praia on 13-22 September and one was at Fajo dos Cubres, São Jorge, on 21 September. A (Hudsonian) Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus was reported from Flores and Corvo. An Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda stayed on Flores from 30 October to at least 11 November and a Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria was on Terceira on 16-22 September. A Greater Yellowlegs T. melanoleuca was observed on Flores on 30 October. Other waders in autumn 2005 included up to seven Semipalmated Plovers Charadrius semipalmatus, a few American Golden Plovers Pluvialis dominica, several Semipalmated Sandpipers Calidris pusilla, small groups of White-rumped Sandpipers C. fuscicollis, several Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos, a few  Buff-breasted Sandpipers Tryngites subruficollis, three Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes, one Solitary Sandpiper T. solitaria and several Spotted Sandpipers Actitis macularius.

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Up to four Laughing Gulls Larus atricilla were seen on Flores from 1 November, an adult was on Terceira on 4 November, and up to nine were counted at Ponta Delgada harbour on São Miguel from 7 November. First-winter Franklin’s Gulls L. pipixcan were present on Terceira on 4-12 November at least, and on São Miguel on 13-18 November. This influx of Laughing and Franklin’s Gulls was also recorded in Morocco and south-western Europe, with large numbers of the first-named species also reaching the British Isles. Two American Herring Gulls L. argentatus smithsonianus were identified on Flores on 17 November. A first-winter Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri was observed on Terceira on 30 October and 10 November. An American Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura on Corvo on 2 November was the first for the Azores. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus was also seen on Corvo on 19 October. A Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor was reported from Faial on 6 November, with another on Terceira on 11 November. From 28 October to 7 November, c.150 Chimney Swifts Chaetura pelagica were recorded, from Corvo (up to 27) and Flores (up to 21) to Faial (12), Terceira (up to 14) and São Miguel (up to 30).

Tree Swallows Tachycineta bicolor were seen at Sete Cidades, São Miguel, on 26-27 October (one) and 2 November (two), on Corvo on 5-6 November (one) and at Punta Lopo Vaz, Flores, on 2 November (two). The latter were accompanied by an American Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica erythrogaster. The first American Barn Swallow for the Azores was a juvenile at Ponta Delgada, Flores, on 30-31 October. An American Cliff Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota on Corvo on 5 November was the second for the islands. The first and second American Buff-bellied Pipits Anthus rubescens rubescens for the Azores were on Corvo on 29 October and at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 2-3 November. A Grey-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus was found on Corvo on 1 November. A White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus on Corvo on 22 October was another first, not only for the archipelago but for the Western Palearctic. Also on Corvo, a Red-eyed Vireo V. olivaceus was present on 26-28 October and a Philadelphia Vireo V. philadelphicus on 26 October. If accepted, a male Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra at Pico da Vara, São Miguel, on 18 September will also be a first record for the Azores. A Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler Dendroica coronata on São Miguel on 21 November was the second for the islands. More firsts for the Azores, all from Corvo, included a first-winter Black-throated Blue Warbler D. caerulescens from 24 October to 1 November at least, an adult male Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina on 26-27 October, an Arctic Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni on 20 October, a first-winter Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea on 29 October and 5 November, a Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus on 28 October, and up to seven Indigo Buntings Passerina cyanea on 24-27 October, with three on Flores on 1 November and one on 3-9 November. Other Nearctic vagrants on Corvo included an Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla on 1 November, a White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys on 25-27 October, a first-winter Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus from 24 October to 9 November at least (with another at Lagoa Lomba, Flores, on 19 November), two Bobolinks Dolichonyx oryzivorus on 19-24 October, and an immature Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula on 6 November.

The following records are from November 2004 - February 2005. A freshly dead Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa was found at Horta, Faial, on 9 November. A Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps was at Lagoa Azul, São Miguel, on 31 January. The long-staying Snowy Egret Egretta thula was still at Horta harbour / Porto Pim, Faial, in late December. A Little Egret E. garzetta was also there on 9 - 17 November, with another at Santa Cruz de Graciosa, Graciosa, on 20th, whereas a Great Egret E. alba was at Pedro Miguel on 6 November. A Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus was on Praia Islet, Graciosa, on 1 December. Three Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula, for which there are few recent records in the Azores, were at Cabrillo Reservoir from 27 February until 3 March. On 27 - 29 January, an American Coot Fulica americana was at Lagoa Azul, São Miguel.

At Cabo da Praia, Terceira, single Semipalmated Plovers Charadrius semipalmatus were seen on 1 February and from 27 February into March, Semipalmated Sandpipers Calidris pusilla on 22 January (three) and 1 February (one), and a Baird's Sandpiper C. bairdii on 1 February. Single Purple Sandpipers C. maritima were found at Praia Islet, Graciosa, on 21 November, and at Praia da Vitoria, Terceira, on 27 February. Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus were reported from Horta harbour in November - December (one), Porto Pim, Faial, on 16 November (one), and Praia Islet, Graciosa, on 20 November (two), and two Hudsonian Whimbrels N. (phaeopus) hudsonicus at Povoação, São Miguel, on 27 January. A Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius was at Lajes do Pico, Pico, on 1 January. Also there was a first-winter Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia; on 1 March one was seen at Angra do Heroísmo. In November - January, Ring-billed Gulls L. delawarensis were noted at Horta harbour, Faial (up to four), Vila do Porto harbour, Santa Maria (one), Lajes do Pico (one) and Ponta Delgada harbour, São Miguel (up to ten); in late February–early March, 46 were present at Praia da Victoria, Terceira. A first-winter Glaucous Gull L. hyperboreus was at Horta harbour, Faial, on 27 January and at Praia da Victoria, Terceira, on 27 February - 3 March. At the latter site a first-winter Iceland Gull L. glaucoides was also found on the same dates. American Herring Gulls L. (argentatus) smithsonianus were reported from Terceira on 1 March (one) and 28 February - 2 March (three). Three Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis were at Cabo da Praia, Terceira.

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The following records are from May - November 2004. A Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps was seen at Lagoa Azul, Terceira, from 2 November. A Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax was at Capelo, Faial, during the second week of May. A Snowy Egret Egretta thula stayed at Horta harbour / Porto Pim, Faial, from 20 May to late October at least; another was found on Terceira in October. A Little Egret E. garzetta was seen at Vila do Porto, Santa Maria, on 28 June, and a Grey Heron Ardea cinerea on Praia Islet, Graciosa, on 14-21 June. A Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus was present at Lagoa Verde, São Miguel, on 9 September. A Wood Duck Aix sponsa of presumed wild origin was still at Terra Nostra gardens, Furnas, São Miguel, on 12 July. At Reservatorio do Cabrito, Terceira, a female Blue-winged Teal Anas discors was observed on 21 - 22 October and up to three Ring-necked Ducks Aythya collaris on 11 - 23 October, while on São Miguel, Ring-necked Ducks were seen at Lagoa Azul on 9 September and 4 - 7 November (singles), at Lagoa das Furnas on 3 November (one), and at Lagoa Seca on 3 - 5 November (two). An American Coot Fulica americana at Lagoa das Furnas, São Miguel, first reported on 14 October, was still present on 5 November.

Nearctic waders on Terceira, most of them at Cabo da Praia, included single Semipalmated Plovers Charadrius semipalmatus on 30 August and 11 - 23 October, two White-rumped Sandpipers Calidris fuscicollis on 10 - 13 October, a Baird's Sandpiper C. bairdii on 21 October (with another at Faja dos Cubres, São Jorge, on 17 - 18 October), a Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos and a juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis on 1 September, single Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes on 30 July and 7 October, and up to three on 11 - 23 October (with one at Mosteiros, São Miguel, on 12 September), and a Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius on 11 October. Other waders records include a Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla at Mosteiros, São Miguel, on 10 - 12 September and at Porto Pim, Faial, on 4 October, and four Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus at Porto Pim on 4 May, two on Praia Islet, Graciosa, on 20 June, and ten at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 30 July.

A juvenile Laughing Gull Larus atricilla with a broken wing was found on Corvo on 9 August. A Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri was at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 31 October. Single Bridled Terns S. anaethetus were reported from Mosteiros, São Miguel, on 11 July, from Vila Islet on 7 - 8 July, and from Praia Islet, Graciosa, on 31 July. A Sooty Tern S. fuscata - perhaps the same bird as in 2003 - remained on Praia Islet, Graciosa, during June and was seen incubating an egg on at least 12 - 19th; this represented the first breeding attempt of the species on Praia, but the fact that incubation took place only on about one day out of two suggested that the bird had lost its partner. Also on Praia Islet, an adult Sooty Tern was observed on 5 September. Two Barn Owls Tyto alba were seen on São Miguel on 11 July: one at Lagoa and one in the gardens of the Bahia Palace Hotel. A juvenile Purple Martin Progne subis was photographed at Facho, Flores, on 6 September.

Last page update 5th November 2007

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