On Sunday mid-afternoon, I had a very quick glance of a hawk on a wire
across I-5 between miles 41 and 43. My first thought, without thinking of
ranges, was Harlan's phase RTH. I can describe it only as a very solidly
colored, extremely dark brown buteo with bright yellow talons. Didn't have
time to see any details on the tail

Are Harlan's seen wintering in this area? This was potentially solidly
colored enough to be a dark Swainson's, but that seems less likely on range
(? I need more up-to-date books). I also just realized that dark-phase
Rough-Legged is a possibility, but this was svelte, didn't look at all like
the typical scruffy Rough-Legged. Definitely seemed a tad on the small
size, too, though size is particularly hard to judge on a drive-by spotting.

What about ranges on the three dark phase options?

thanks!
Doreen

Doreen Gillespie
dorgilles at gmail.com
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