Gyrfalcons everywhere?

After this past winters irruption of Willow Ptarmigan into Quebec, I wondered if there was a chance for predators to rebound this year. (eg,/ Gyrfalcons)

Now I'm starting to hear about Gyrfalcons here and there in the far north. (Off Greenland, Alaska, etc) Including some spectacular photos of white morphs.

Here in southern Ontario, I've already seen numerous Rough-legged Hawks on the great lakes. A sign that we are in for a very good year for them!

So what about Gyrfalcons?! Could this be the year that they "irrupt" south, resulting in scattered sightings far and wide? It has been a long time since the last one, in fact, long enough that I haven't been birding since they were "around". (1996?)

My understanding is to not get excited for wave after wave (like last years Bohemian Waxwings), but they will be "around" - I think Hamilton's best Gyr year was 3 sightings during the entire winter. (Some single observers). But hey, anything is better than nothing with these beauties.

So there we go! I'm going to make a slightly early prediction that we have a 50/50 chance at a "Gyr year". Things should be 100% clear by mid November, and I'll check back in with an update on them! Nothing like doing predictions. (Anyone see any Little Blue Herons or Wood Storks this summer?)

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The sweet smell of rarities is in the October air. The next few days are going to punch some very strong W winds, which could be good for something (Franklin's Gulls?)

Check out what the world is seeing:

Ontario's Purple Gallinule:

http://kenburrell.blogspot.com/2011/10/purple-haze.html

http://www.naturesbestcreations.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6613&p=34359#p34359

Purple Gallinule in MA:

http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20111009092309.jpg

Purple Gallinule on Lake Erie in PA: (no photos, but it was found the same day as the Ontario bird!!)


Ash-throated Flycatcher in MA:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryser915/6238028956/in/pool-437129@N20/


"Rufous Hummer" in PA:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47556484@N02/6232773348/in/pool-437129@N20/


Green-tailed Towhee on Lake MI in IL: (early oct):

http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20111001024635.jpg


Also read WPBO's waterbird blog for updated sightings of their ADULT Northern Gannet that has been hanging around:

http://wpbo.org/blog/5

--- they also had a Townsend Solitaire recently!