I have not seen the woodpecker again but I just stopped by the bridge and talked to a guy who spends a lot of time in this area. He said he’s seen it twice, and is familiar with the species from living in Maryland. So, it is apparently still hanging out.

Also lots of Western Tanagers and Yellow Warblers, Wilson’s/Orange-crowned/Macgillivra ‘soaking  Warblers, aGray Catbird, Least Flycatchers, nesting Bullock’s Orioles, calling Spotted Sandpipers, and more. You can see my checklists on ebird.

If you bird here, please note that Challis Bridge is now a hotspot location on ebird. If you’ve birded here before, you can merge your personal location with the new hotspot.

Good birding,
Wendy McCrady
Challis, ID
On May 25, 2017 3:14 PM, “damnempid damnempid@yahoo.com [ible]” wrote:
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>  
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> Greetings, Birders,
>
> I had an adult Red-headed Woodpecker in Challis today. It was in the deciduous trees at the Challis Bridge BLM day use area between the flooded boat ramp area and the parking area. I lost it high in the trees and could not relocate it before several vehicles of rowdy young folk and dogs showed up, parking in the boat ramp area. I plan to return shortly and try again. With school out and the holiday weekend, I’m not sure how much human activity there might be at this particular area that might hamper birding efforts.
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> Feel free to e-mail me if you come to look for it. My location is literally 3 minutes away and I’d be delighted to meet other Idaho birders.
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> Wendy McCrady
> Challis, ID
>

Was watching the Black-chinned Hummingbird, & from a distance through binocs to not disturb it, trying to locate its nest. Looks like it must be about 15 ft up & on an inner branch, so probably will never actually see the nest. But, then, movement beneath the spruce caught my eye & out hopped a Swainson’s Thrush. This is noteworthy because May 29th is a late date for one on our place. They usually push through to higher country and are gone by 1st part of May. After this winter though, seems all bets are off. Looks like the Lazuli Buntings & Western Tanagers went west of us this spring & just overall numbers of Warblers in general & Bullock’s Orioles are down, at least along our stretch of the Snake River corridor.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

I haven’t checked the Latilong nest data yet, but I’ve been watching a female Black-chinned Hummingbird most of the morning. At first, I thought she was just visiting the flower baskets my wife filled last week. Then, I noticed her working along the house logs & an Aspen tree. She kept going back & forth from the house to a nearby Blue Spruce.

Finally, the Hummer perched for just long enough to see through the binocs that her bill tip was holding spider silk! The Black-chinned is building a nest. A new nesting bird for our property, here on the Snake River, west of Blackfoot. It’ll be fun to see how this goes. Also have: Cedar Waxwings, Am Robins, Am Kestrel, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Black-capped Chickadees, House Wrens, Am Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers, N Flickers & Yellow Warblers, all nesting now.

Got back home last night after spending a few days at the cabin in Island Park. And, had a raucous mob of about a dozen Stellar’s Jays keeping me company. Also, quite a few Evening Grosbeaks about. Plenty of Mt Chickadees & Red-breasted Nuthatches around, too. Sure that Cliff & Lisa can add many more to that list.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot