After finding the SWAMP SPARROW in Moscow, birding was again superb at Mann
Lake east of Lewiston, this morning. I had several encounters with the
PALM WARBLER, ranging from the area before the settling ponds to well
beyond the model airplane area. It is usually near the Yellow-rumped
flock, but sometimes off by itself nearby. It forages low, very often on
the ground, and it really seems to like the areas of dense short (~1 foot)
willow saplings close to the lake shore. The DUSKY FLYCATCHER continues,
but still being very inconspicuous and difficult to see. I had at least
one SWAMP SPARROW, an American Tree Sparrow, an extremely late SAVANNAH
SPARROW, one DUNLIN, and a Peregrine Falcon. I finally tore myself away
from all those great birds, but as I pulled out of Mann Lake onto the
entrance road, a flock of juncos with one obvious sparrow flew across the
road in front of me. I stopped to investigate and immediately saw a nice
HARRIS’S SPARROW.

New and somewhat better photos of the Palm Warbler and some of the other
rarities are in my eBird checklist (
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40864407).

Hell’s Gate State Park had lots of birds but I didn’t see the Mockingbird
or anything particularly unusual.

Good Birding,

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, ID

Lower dam lake Lowell 3:30 pm 700–1000 Snow geese when do they go further
south.

Found this beauty in Idaho Falls this morning.

Found this beauty in Idaho Falls this morning.

I just found a SWAMP SPARROW at the Sand Road Wetlands in Moscow. Sand
Road Wetlands are just south/southwest of the UI Arboretum and Botanical
Gardens, on the south side of West Palouse River Drive/Sand Road. You can
park at the Arboretum parking. The sparrow is due south of the westernmost
lone Ponderosa Pine sapling, visible from the road, and currently quite
vocal.

I’ll put photos on eBird later. I’m not sure if there are previous records
for Latah County, but it’s been an incredible fall for this species in the
Inland NW!

Good Birding

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, ID

For what I’m worth, I don’t mind items for sale as long as it doesn’t look like someone’s side business. I do object more to the trip announcements and offers. To me IBLE is not where multi-thousands $ ventures belong.

If anyone needs Evening Grosbeaks (in the future Grospigs), I have 100 – 125 in the area I would gladly send on (Cal Ranch and Tractor Supply love us). Mountain Chickadee made it another year and despite my valiant efforts, the Siskins remain Siskins and none have morphed to a Redpoll. I’ll keep trying.

Bill Moore
Inkom