The Swallow-tailed Gull has moved up the coast from Carkeek Park up to Point Wells, Woodway and then Edmonds, WA pier near the ferry dock since Aug 31st. We arrived at 11:00 a.m. just in time to see an ABA Birding News post that he had moved back to Point Wells and were fortunate to find this striking bird hanging out on the pier with several other gulls (see lat/long for Stakeout, Point Wells back on Sept. 3rd). He seems quite content in this environment so I would make the drive if you are considering it. Just follow the information like our postings on IBLE for the Washington Tweeters to follow where he is that day. I am happy to answer any questions I can.

There is currently a BLACK BRANT feeding with Canada Geese at Sandpoint
City Beach. It wasn’t here first thing this morning. Also, 2 FRANKLINS’S
GULLS.

Good Birding,

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, ID

The Turnstone is a Toomay pond today.

Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho

Took a look out our backyard water fountain yesterday here in the Boise
Highlands area and saw a gray bird in the shadows. From the distance I
was at I at first thought, ok just another female House Finch. Then I
thought, well actually it looks bigger and sleeker than a House Finch.
So I wandered over and grabbed my binoculars. Upon closer examination,
there was a Townsend’s Solitaire sitting in the flowing water. We have
these birds in the neighborhood during the winter — arriving in
mid-November – I have never seen one this time of year. Not sure if it
was a migrant heading south or maybe a local bird displaced from higher
elevations due to fires. Who knows. It is always fun to catch a specie
at a new time or place.

Scott Tuthill

JB Peck just texted me & asked to share here: he’s seeing & has gotten pics of a tail-pumping Palm Warbler @ Blacks Creek! He says “eastern side where all the trees are”. He saw it on shore & in sagebrush but hasn’t seen it for a bit.

Hope it stays til tomorrow afternoon ??

Jay

Sent from my iPhone

Just when I was certain it was gone, the immature RB Grosbeak was briefly at the feeder this AM. I had just seen an Orange-crowned Warbler & a Wilson’s, when I turned around and 20 ft away, the Grosbeak was at the feeder. Same bird with a distinctive red tear drop at bottom of rose breast. Feared moving for a photo, as it is quite “flighty”. No rhyme or reason to its visits, as hadn’t seen since Wed.

Others were Red-breasted Nuthatch & Cedar Waxwings. And, the resident “guide” Black-capped Chickadees are making sure that any migrants don’t dally too long in one particular tree. In fact, I’m using the chatter of the Chickadees to help locate groups of migrants working through the trees.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

It’s still present at Camas NWR this morning. On Redstart lane

Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho