Rare and Notables – January/February 2024
Generally mild and relatively dry since the deep cold spell early in the period, this was a month with few rarities. People continued to enjoy the widespread Pine Grosbeaks and sporadic flocks of Common Redpolls. Thousands of Canada Geese and Mallards could be found throughout, particularly along the lower river and valley northwest of Bigfork. One or more Prairie Falcons could be found in the West Valley and along Farm Road. Red-tailed Hawks continued to outnumber Rough-legged Hawks locally, including a beautiful light morph “Harlan’s” Red-tailed photographed north of Somers. See also: https://ebird.org/region/US-MT-029?yr=all
- 01/17 – Spruce Grouse (1) Big Mountain (Robert and Teresa B.)
- 01/20 – Black-backed Woodpecker (1) South of Herron Park (Elle E.)
- 01/27 – “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk (light morph) N. Somers Rd (Dan C.)
- 01/31 – Golden Eagle (1) Hog Heaven Rd, south Flathead County (Raylene W.)
- 02/02 – Common Loon (1) Wild Horse Island SP (Derrick R.); (2) at Yellow Bay, 02/06 (Dan C.)
- 02/07 – Red-breasted Merganser (2) Flathead River at Holt (bj W.)
- 02/09 – Short-billed Gull (1) Flathead Lake N. Shore, Somers (Dan C.)
- 02/10 – White-crowned Sparrow (1) Whitefish (Ron B.)
What to Expect – March 2024
The first few male Red-winged Blackbirds were singing in frozen marshes as I wrote this summary, and soon they will be part of the daily early spring soundtrack! As local wetlands continue to thaw, watch for increasing numbers of waterfowl, particularly Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails and American Wigeon. By mid-March, Mountain Bluebirds, Western Meadowlarks and even Tree Swallows should be here. Swallows are primarily insectivorous, and therefore indicate that spring is arriving in earnest!