Flathead Valley Bird Report – November 2024

By Dan Casey

Rare and Notables –  September/October 2024

Continued warm and dry weather throughout the period and a lack of cold fronts made for a relatively mundane migration period. Lingering birds in the region included Common Yellowthroat, Common Nighthawks, Swainson’s Thrush, Western Wood-Pewees, and Least Sandpipers. We had good numbers of Broad-winged Hawks at the Jewel Basin Hawk Watch. “Winter” gulls were slow to arrive, with no reports of Short-billed or Lesser Black-backed, although the first Iceland Gulls were reported, and Herring Gulls were numerous.

See also: https://ebird.org/region/US-MT-029?yr=all

  • 09/15 – White-faced Ibis (1) Pablo Reservoir (late) (Shawn R)
  • 09/19 – Sabine’s Gull (1) Ninepipe NWR (Braydon L., through 10/4)
  • 09/20 – Black Swift (11) Jewel Basin Hawk Watch (Dan S.)
  • 09/21 – Black-capped x Mountain Chickadee (hybrid) Wiley Dike (Dan C.)
  • 09/27 – Common Nighthawk (1) West Valley (Jess W.)
  • 10/01 – Rough-legged Hawk (1, first of season) Creston (Craig H.)
  • 10/04 – Swainson’s Hawk (1, late) Ronan (Dan S.)
  • 10/08 – Surf Scoter (4) Elmo (Dan S.)
  • 10/09 – Iceland Gull (Thayer’s) (1) Flathead Lake WPA (Dan C.)
  • 10/12 – Iceland Gull (1) Ninepipe NWR (Craig H., Shawn R., Rod W.)
  • 10/13 – Anna’s Hummingbird (1) Somers (Al J.)

What to Expect – November 2024

Late October and early November is the best time of the year for the three scoter species (especially Surf) on our larger bodies of water. Rough-legged Hawk numbers will continue to build through the period, and “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawks become regular throughout the valley. Flocks of Bohemian Waxwings should also continue to grow. Perhaps the first Snow Buntings or even a Snowy Owl will show up in the open farmlands of West and Lower Valleys. Glaucous Gulls should join the valley flock, alternating between the landfill and Flathead Lake WPA.