Several posts on Tweeters have mentioned the dearth of Rough-legged Hawks in
the interior of Washington this fall.
Around Kamloops, ( 50 degrees, 30 seconds N Latitude) numbers are perhaps
below average, but birds are present in typical habitats.

On 3 outings within 20 km of Kamloops during the last 4 days, I have
observed 8 different Rough - legged Hawks. In a year of greater abundance, I
might expect perhaps 12 in the same area. The complete lack of snow in the
grasslands is certainly not resulting in a concentration of the birds into
areas where rodents might be more available as seems to happen in deeper
snow years. Birds seem to be widespread and flying over long distances.

What has been more noticeable to me is the lack of Northern Shrikes.
Yesterday, several of us explored around Kamloops in attempts to assist
famous Yakima birders Andy & Ellen Stepniewski in their quest to see
shrikes, gray owl, pygmy owl, snowy owl & other northern favorites. We
dipped on all of their target species except for Shrike which was seen by 2
observers but not the Stepniewskis. One lone shrike after covering a fair
amount of grassland habitat is definitely below average.

Bohemian Waxwings seem to be staying at higher elevations, with several
flocks of up to 40 birds seen above 900 m elevation. Red Crossbills were
quite common as flocks were encountered consistently in both spruce & fir
habitats. Cone crops seem to be decent.

So as with every other fall birding period, it's a fall like no other.

Rick Howie
Kamloops, BC
rick.howie at shaw.ca