Seeing as Swainson's are out west of Missisippi and have already
migrated down mexico/s. america way, it sounds like a Rough-Legged Hawk
to me. I've seen a Dark Morph on Bostwick that has roosted there for the
last two winters. Any other ideas?

Happy Birding!!

Silas Miller

ps The juncos are back in my yard after a very long absence, does any
one know the movement patterns of these little gems? (the only place I
see them regularly other than feeders is on top of mtns., often waking
me up in the morning after camping with there jer jeee jeee)

-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chris
Rimmer
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 2:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: possible Swainson's Hawk in Shelburne


I hesitate to post this, but it sounds reasonably convincing.  Anne
August of Wake Robin in Shelburne just called me and reported what she
believes was a Swainson's Hawk on Bostwick Rd at the foot of the Wake
Robin driveway 2 days ago (5 Nov).  She described a "compact" Buteo with
distinctly chocolate-brown chest and pure whitish underparts below.  I'm
no expert on raptor ID, but it sure sounds like a light morph adult
Swainson's.  It's too bad she didn't call sooner, but some Burlington
area birders might want to take a look.

Good luck,

Chris

Chris Rimmer
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
27023 Church Hill Road
Woodstock, VT 05091
802-457-2779 ext 120
<www.vinsweb.org>