By Russ Koppendrayer
Migration continued bringing new species throughout the month of March into Cowlitz County. Twelve new species were added to our composite year list. Nine expected species were bookended by three code 4 species on the first and last days of the month. Code 4 means that these species have been found more than five times in the county, but are seen less than annually. On March 1st a Swainson's Hawk was found in the Woodland Bottoms. This bird was in an unusual plumage that may have been a young bird just molting into its adult plumage. Also unusual was the date this bird was found. Either incredibly early or trying to overwinter, it belonged either farther south or in eastern Washington habitats. This species does incorrectly show as Code 5 on the current list, but that is wrong as there have been at least seven previous records. I'll try to have that corrected for the 2027 list.
Also found on March 1st was a Swamp Sparrow at Canal Road. A species that winters in Washington in small numbers, it likes to skulk in weedy, brushy wet places. A nice find by residents in that area.
And finally thirty days later on March 31st an American Goshawk was seen in flight in the foothills in the eastern part of the county. Quite possibly a migrating bird as this species is more prevalent east of the Cascades and farther north into Canada and Alaska. Certainly not impossible that it is a resident bird however.
Keep your eyes and ears open as migration will continue to ramp up over the next couple months.
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