by Dan Casey

Rare and Notables – Summer

Hot conditions early in the period, and smoky conditions later may have contributed to a relatively lackluster migration period; many shorebird locations had dried up, and birders were perhaps staying at home a bit more! Nevertheless, some good finds included the season’s first Herring Gulls, Anna’s Hummingbirds, and Lapland Longspur, along with some less common Buteos at the local hawk watch.

  • 8/19 – Boreal Owl (1) Jewel Basin Road (Adrian A.)
  • 8/26 – Common Grackle (up to 3) Creston, continuing through period (Craig H.) 
  • 8/27 – Upland Sandpiper (1) Creston (quite rare locally) (Craig H.)
  • 9/03 – Herring Gull (1) Wayfarer’s State Park (first of fall) (David K.)
  • 9/05 – Swainson’s Hawk (1) Jewel Basin Hawk Watch (bj W.) (another 9/14, Josh C.)
  • 9/07 – Anna’s Hummingbird (1) Creston (Craig H.) (Another in Somers, 9/15, Al J.)
  • 9/09 – Broad-winged Hawk (1) Jewel Basin Hawk Watch (Josh C.)
  • 9/14 – Greater White-fronted Goose (1) West Glacier (Kyler S.)
  • 9/14 – Ferruginous Hawk (1) Jewel Basin Hawk Watch (Josh C.)
  • 9/15 – Dusky Grouse (2) Somers townsite, present several days (odd location) (Al J.)
  • 9/16 – Lapland Longspur (1) Jewel Basin (Dan C.)

What to Expect – October2022

Late September into October is typically the best time to see such rarities as jaegers and Sabine’s Gulls at area wetlands. As shorebird migration wanes, hawk migration is in full swing, with peak numbers expected at Mt. Brown and the Jewel Basin Hawk Watch. Mixed flocks of sparrows will fill the fields, fencelines and brushpiles. Look for White-throated, Harris’s, and Swamp Sparrows in particular among the more common Savannah, Lincoln’s and White-crowned Sparrow flocks. Waterfowl migration will also pick up, and the first cold fronts may bring scoters.