A New Year's Day surprise

#1 Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

I went out this morning to see what I could find. It was cold and foggy, and I didn't see or hear any birds. But I thought I'd at least see a squirrel that I could take a photo of for my first taxon of the year.

When I got to the backyard, I startled a hawk on the ground and it flew off to a nearby oak tree. I was only able to get one photo before it left the yard.

I wasn't sure whether it was a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned hawk, but it was quickly IDed on iNat as a sharp-shinned.

This was not only the first taxon on my big year yard list - it was also a lifer for the yard! #493

#2 Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger)

We have several of these squirrels in our yard. They are native to the eastern US, but are quite happy to live here in northern Idaho.

# 3 Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

# 4 Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)

# 5 American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

Posted on 01 January, 2023 18:21 by swells