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Tom Soniville
Boise. North End

We are seeing a surge in early Swainson’s Hawk reports in eBird so I want to remind everyone to get photos to document these birds. There are a few records from March 30-31, and a couple as early as March 28, but zero documented reports before that. It doesn’t seem like it’s that much earlier but Swainson’s Hawk in Idaho right now is exceptionally early and unprecedented so do your best to get a photo. Even a really poor photo can be useful.

Swainson’s are long distance migrants and they are really consistent in timing of migration. That said it isn’t out of the question for an early arrival or a lingering/wintering individual – a sub-adult was photographed in SE Colorado in Feb of this year. Other than that there aren’t any inland reports north of Lubbock, TX – Phoenix, AZ this year.

Keep an eye out and keep your camera ready.

Cliff

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Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@…

This one looks like a straight forward hybrid to me. Red doesn’t
extend very far down the breast, it has a partial black breast
shield, limited red on head/face – really a ‘tweener in all
respects. Very nice photos.

Cliff

Possible hybrid Sapsucker, but it may also be a
subspecies of RBSA—still working on that. I’d welcome any input
as to species. 

First observed yesterday
morning on Banjo Drive, and it is continuing this afternoon at
1:30 p.m. on Banjo Drive (43.5487634, -116.2885002). Today there
are several sap wells on multiple trees along Banjo near this
lat/long. Private property and backyards all around, but the
bird is on common subdivision property and viewed from the
sidewalk along Banjo. 

Kent Kleman

-- 
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@...

BOB