AlexHenry

I Hawaii you have to be a LOT more careful about ruling out Asian shorebird species. Pectoral vs Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Wilson’s vs Common Snipe, and Wandering vs Gray-tailed Tattler are some examples of IDs you have to be very careful with. Don’t make assumptions based on probability, because the probabilities are very different from the mainland. That being said, this looks like a Wandering Tattler. Vocalizations are the easiest way to tell though.

Definitely not a Northern Waterthrush. Not sure what it is though. But no way it’s a NOWA.

Yeah, really cool hybrid warbler!

I agree the last photo look very much like a Hammond’s. Photo 2 and 3 look more Dusky-like to me with that long tail. I would probably leave this bird unidentified without hearing call notes.

I haven’t spent enough time up in the Pacific Northwest to say for sure. Probably a bit later up there than CA. But even though cities like Seattle and Vancouver are very far north on paper, the low elevation and vicinity to the ocean are enough that snow or freezing temps are like, pretty unusual - the main push of spring migration is later, more similar to the east, because it’s still winter in the mountains - but breeding activities in coastal lowlands can start very early. California Thrashers will start nesting in November, and Anna’s Hummingbirds and Great Horned Owls will start in December/January. Allen’s Hummingbirds are one of our first spring migrants and start arriving in late January/February. Then swallows are pretty much our next spring migrant, in late February and March.

No idea. Personally I can’t see much on that second swallow, I’d struggle to get that picture to species let alone age/sex it - though I totally believe it’s a Tree. Definitely agree the first is a Northern Rough-winged.

Swallows arrive pretty early on the west coast, and where I am Tree and Barn overwinter. Late February and March is when a lot of the swallows arrive where I am - which would certainly give them enough time to have successfully bred by now.

Young Barn Swallows

Probably better left as Gray-cheeked/Bicknell’s without recordings of the vocalizations

Personally I think 1 looks like Lesser Yellowlegs. 2 looks like Greater Yellowlegs

Thanks

I actually have one more photo.

May 8 2023 California. Lazuli Bunting is common and there were several present in the area (as well as a flock of Black-headed Grosbeaks). Blue Grosbeak is also possible at this date and location but pretty uncommon. Thoughts on this bird? Just a Bunting? Maybe a Blue Grosbeak? Or Passerina sp?

Yes! Haven’t been on the forum for a long time, sorry, been busy with work and was spending less time birding in winter and then been busy with birding in spring migration. The Red-throated Pipit was a life bird for me and the White Wagtail was the second I’ve ever seen, but I didn’t get them on the same checklist sadly.

Probably Stilt Sandpipers, or otherwise Yellowlegs