| Common Name | Swainson's Hawk |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buteo swainsoni |
| Type of Report | Rare Species |
| Date of Observation | 11/01/2025 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | JoAnne Russo |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 250 Saxtons River, VT 05154 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 11/01/2025 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | Terri Amata: |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 43.00443 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -72.5956 |
| Place Name | Putney Mountain Hawkwatch |
| Township | Putney |
| County | Windham |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 01:00 PM |
| Length of Time Observed | minute or 2 |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 250' (I'm not good with distances!) |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 150' |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Blue sky, sun, clouds |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Leica 10x42 binoculars. Spotting scopes there but hawk was so close, we got perfect views with the bins. |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | Seen in same location Oct 31, 2023 and Oct 25, 2011. Seen in AZ, UT and VT, 9 total eBird sightings. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Putney Mountain hawkwatch location where we watch from the end of August continuously thru Nov.10. 1667' elevation, CT River Valley on the east, West River Valley on the west. |
| Behaviors Observed | Flew in from the north on the west side of Putney Mtn, never flapped, using updrafts from the ridge, traveled across the mountain top to the southeast where it continued out of sight. |
| Description of Vocalizations | none |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | The hawk approached from the north in line with the watchers, first noting the light head, it veered right of where we were sitting, underside visible at all times, the 2-toned appearance of a light-morph Swainson's hawk came into clear view. Of the 5 watchers, 2 of us quickly called out "Swainson's". Underwing coverts light contrasted sharply with dark primaries and secondaries, body was light; lacked the contrasting bib, probably a light-morph juvenile. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | There wasn't any discussion of a similar species, the identification was quite obvious. it was definitely a buteo, the 2-toned, light-dark (light underwing coverts, dark primaries/ secondaries) wings of a light-morph Swainson's was the only hawk it could be. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | During the Observation |
Vermont Atlas of Life Partners
