Rough-legged Hawks in Illinois

[AndyB]

This is not a common bird in California so I was keen to see a regular wintering group of birds just up the road from the in-laws where I was staying over the Xmas break. Got great views of 4 birds and really enjoyed seeing the dark morph bird. Will post some video very soon but here are some videograbs. The birds stayed faithful to a field close to the road and have been apparently wintering here for a number of years. Here is the link to directions on IBET (http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Mail/Illinois_Birds/196529) and another much better photo of the dark morph bird by Nolan Lameka is here (http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20071224053037.jpg)

I missed the Saw-whet Owl at Montrose and seem destined to never to get Snow Bunting on my ABA list. :hmpf:

[RaptorBirder]

Nice images Andy,

Happy New Year and thanks for sharing them with us.

[AndyB]

Thanks Raptorbirder and Happy New Year to you and all the other Surfbirds forum members and moderators! Just posted a 2 min video here (http://surfbirds.com/video2/view_video.php?viewkey=a8f591b52d302e718133) of pale and dark phase birds hunting. Dark phase birds are quite smart. Half-way through one of the pale phase birds dive-bombs another bird on the ground.

[RaptorBirder]

Excellent video Andy,

Really enjoyed seeing the stoop and subsequent squabble, as well as the dark morph bird hover-hunting. Great stuff!

[Brian S]

Andy

Ace to see the dark phase bird - we don't get dark phase birds in WP, as they are typical of Nearctic race sanctijohannis.

Brian