I checked the wetland along Siphon Rd (Chubbuck) this morning. It had no
ice and a similar diversity in waterfowl as the last three weeks but
numbers have decreased each week. Waterfowl included TRUS, CANG, MALL,
AMWI, GADW, GWTE, NSHO, WODU, REDH, RNDU, BUFF, COGO, and AMCO. A VIRA
called from the bulrush for the third week in a row. Other noteworthy
species included NSHR, 2 GBHE, 3 PBGR, BEKI.

The Pocatello Wastewater Treatment Plant pond had very few birds, but one
was an NSHO. 2 adult BAEA circled low over head, acting like they were
probably a pair.

The gravel pit pond on Hildreth Dr had most of the waterfowl mentioned
above, but also a lingering SNGO and RUDU.

Sent from my iPhone

About 4 weeks ago I started noticing a few Canada geese w/ noticeably
smaller bills and shorter/thicker necks among the typical moffitti/maxima.
They are also noticeably smaller than the moffitti/maxima but not nearly
small enough to be cackling geese. These smaller birds are similarly light
chested to the moffitti/maxima.

The first week or two I just attributed it to individual variation of a
couple individuals. But, this weekend out of over 600 Canadas I counted in
three locations, at least 15 stuck out as these small birds. This included
birds within flocks of moffitti/maxima flying over, standing along the
shoreline preening/loafing, and grazing in a pasture.

Can anyone advise on which subspecies this more likely could be? My best
guess would be lesser/parvipes. But, I’m well aware of how tricky ID’ing
Canada geese to subspecies away from their breeding grounds can be.

Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday morning I had a “pure” looking male YELLOW-SHAFTED NORTHERN
FLICKER at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston. I see multiple apparent
intergrade Northern Flickers in north Idaho each fall/winter (and there was
also one of those present, yesterday), but this is only the second
candidate I’ve seen for a pure yellow-shafted in Idaho. Photos in eBird:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42093549.

Good Birding

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, ID

Knew I had an Accipter this AM, when all my feeder birds took flight & disappeared. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a 1st yr N Goshawk in the binocs. Its white supercilium, vertical brown streaks on the breast, mottled back & broad tail bands were obvious. Interestingly, an adult Goshawk was present earlier this winter.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot