by Dan Casey
Rare and Notables – March 2021
- 2/19 – Gyrfalcon hunting large flocks of Mallards, N. Shore WMA (Dick W.)
- 2/24 – Snowy Owl in Lower Valley off Farm and Manning Roads through 2/24 (m. ob.)
- 3/03 – Mountain Bluebird (first of year) in Lower Valley (Craig H.)
- 3/06 – Western Bluebirds (first of year) at Columbia Mtn trailhead (Jake B.)
- 3/06 – Snow Buntings (60) near the West Valley ponds (Bridger D.)
- 3/06 – Boreal Owls (2) at Polebridge (George S.)
- 3/06 – Sandhill Cranes (first of the year), Batavia (Mani G.)
- 3/8 – 3/18 – Mew Gull on Somers Bay mudflats 3/8-3/18 (Dan C.)
- 3/10 – Tree Swallows (first of year), Owen Sowerwine Natural Area (Jennifer D.)
- 3/11 – Turkey Vulture (first of year), Coram (Leigh C.)
- 3/13 – Spotted Towhee at Wayfarer’s State Park (Craig H.)
- 3/15 – “Eurasian” Green-winged Teal at Church Slough, third state record (Dan C.)
- 3/15 – 3/18 – Eurasian Wigeons (four or more) at Church Slough (m. ob.)
- 3/15 – Brown-headed Cowbird (rare in winter) in Creston through the period (Craig H.)
- 3/16 – Williamson’s Sapsucker on state lands along Bowdish Rd (Scott P.)
What to Expect – April 2021
As the mud of March gives way to the greening of April, migrants continue to arrive. Ice-out on local lakes is followed by the arrival of Northern Shovelers, Cinnamon Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Ruddy Ducks and more, joining the mixed flocks present throughout late March. Insectivorous birds become more prevalent, as large flocks of Tree and Violet-green Swallows, which have grown during late March, are joined by other swallow species. Ruby-crowned Kinglets will be singing in local woods, and by month’s end the first warblers have arrived (Yellow-rumped, Nashville, Common Yellowthroat). Earth Day (4/22) typically marks the arrival of hummingbirds.