Hi All,

Bud Anderson asks a real interesting question as to the status of the
spring movement of Swainson's Hawk's here on the west-side. Are more
moving through here or are just more people becoming aware of them? I
have noted in North American Birds that Swainson's Hawks were
exceptionally rare in western Washington prior to 1997, but have become
annual since 2003. That doesn't answer the question, but it does put
Bud's question in context.

I think that increased birder awareness is mainly what we are seeing
here with west-side spring movement of Swainson's Hawks. But, this
perspective has much to do with my personal experience with them over
here on the Kitsap Peninsula. I now specifically target them from late
April to mid-May by scouring the skies on days when there seems to be
nice conditions for raptor migration. Though I'm probably glancing
skyward even on unfavorable days - just a habit of mine. Anyway, I have
recorded Swainson's Hawk in the past five springs including a fly-over
of three at Point no Point back on May 17, 2008. I do think the north
end of the Kitsap Peninsula is proving to be a nice little funnel for
overhead migrants whether it be raptors or passerines so I'm spoiled in
that respect. Regardless, I can say that prior to 2005, I know I was not
making a specific effort to search for Swainson's Hawks. I now kind of
expect to find one annually.

Cheers and good birding,
Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com

*Subject: Swainson's Hawk at Greenbank*
From: Bud Anderson <falconresearch AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 11:45:02 -0700

Nice sighting and video.
Only Swainson's Hawks I have seen on the west side of the Cascades in WA
were both adults, both in late April, both on the Highway 20 intermediate
grass strip just west of the Farmhouse Inn in different years.
A third one was a juvenile (SY) I caught and banded at Sea-Tac Airport 11
May last year.
I would call your bird an adult based on the dark terminal tail band and
clear underwing coverts.
I wonder if we are seeing more moving through here in spring or just more
people are becoming aware of them?

Bud Anderson
Falcon Research Group
Box 248
Bow, WA 98232
(360) 757-1911
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