Flathead Valley Bird Report – October 2023

By Dan Casey Rare and Notables – August – September 2023 It was a great month for uncommon shorebirds, with a few, such as the Red Knot at Pablo Reservoir and the Hudsonian Godwits at Creston wetland, lingering long enough for multiple local birders to enjoy them. Broad-winged, Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks contributed to the…

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Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus  by Gail Cleveland Northwest Montana is blessed with a number of species from the family of Turdidae or Thrushes. These include the Western and Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, American Robin, Varied Thrush as well three species of the genus Catharus: the Swainson’s Thrush, Veery, and the subject of this article: the Hermit Thrush….

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Swainson’s Thrush

A SONG ABOVE OTHERS By Kathy Ross Mid-spring is filled with anticipation for the enchanting, heavenward spiraling song of the male Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) returning each year to our mountain world to breed. This secretive, not often seen, medium-sized Thrush (6″-8″ long, 12″ wingspan), entertains our sense of hearing during the summer months with its…

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