Because I had been under the weather, and then the weather refused to
cooperate (I wont ride on ice), I had not been biking for a week. But most
of the streets seemed dry today so I ventured out. But before I left the
house, I racked up 12 species, including a flyover by a Coopers Hawk.
By the time I got to Joes Crab Shack, on the way up river, I had 26 birds.
Then, as I was leaving Ann Morrison with 30 birds, I stopped to scan the
river. Suddenly all the geese and ducks exploded and a large hawk flew
toward me. He then conveniently landed in a tree near where I was standing,
and I got to examine him through binos. It was an immature Northern Goshawk,
a bird I havent seen along the river for several years. Just to make sure I
got good looks, he took off twice more and landed in different nearby trees,
effectively terrorizing all the birds in AM Park.
Even though I was worried about wet spots on the greenbelt re-freezing, I
decided I had to go find the Evening Grosbeaks that John Shortis reported. I
had seen them along Remington St. in years past but not for a couple of
years. Lo and behold, as soon as I started down the street, I found one
consorting with WC Sparrows. Buffleheads on the infield pond made my ride
even more fruitful.
By the time I got back to the North End, I had 38 birds, but as I approached
Ellis St. at 25th, a bunch of crows made a ruckus and another large hawk
flew up. This one took some chasing, but it turned out to be a RT Hawk. Not
quite my Highly Recommended Daily Allowance, but 39 birds in 15 ½ miles is a
great day.
Tom McCabe, Boise
