Monthly Archives: July 2018

Listserv Posts

[IBLE] Alder Flycatcher(s)

For those not able to access the Facebook ID rare birds & discussions group, here is a copy & paste from a few minutes ago:

Sorry for the late post, but I had no internet during my nights camping and wanted to include some photos on one of the checklists as well.
I finally was able to make the trip to n. Idaho in search of the ALFl(s), realizing that it had been well over 2 weeks since the last report. I was hoping to be there at first light, when the odds of a bird still calling this late in the nesting season might be best, but that didn’t end of happening due to other birding. I did check the stake-out location on Tuesday late afternoon and saw/heard no “Traill’s” type flycatchers in the vicinity. It was extremely warm (90’s) and not much bird activity that late in day and that hot. I returned, much later than planned, the following morning (still very hot) and did hear the “pip” call from one of 2 birds that flew into a green tamarack tree together, which is very distinctive from the soft “whit” call of the WIFL, which I heard many times during the trip. The bird was right alongside the road, pretty much at the exact pin location from Jay/Heidi and Janet Phillips. I was able to observe the bird before it disappeared, never to be heard/seen again by me. I never did get a visual on the second bird, but it appeared to be the same species, at least size/shape/flight pattern wise when it flew into the tree. The link to the eBird checklist is: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47475030
Also, I am quite positive of hearing an alder flycatcher while driving the West Side Road, perhaps 13 miles south of the stake-out site, along a very dusty dirt road section. I heard a lot of willow flycatchers on the 3 day trip, all with the usual “fitz-bew” sneezy call and this one was quite distinctive with the burry “free beer” call. That eBird checklist can be found at: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47474574
I was unable to relocate the calling bird after pulling over and, wouldn’t you know, 2 other vehicles pulled by in opposite directions at the exact time/location as the calling bird (what were the odds! I only passed a couple rigs in ~8 miles on this section of road), and they left a very large dust cloud. I did see a couple of Traill’s type flycatchers later, about 40 yards or so from the calling location and right below where I parked. I included them on the checklist; they never vocalized at all, and unless someone has some real insights, I will leave them as “empidnox sp.” on the checklist.. The checklist pin is exact, if someone else happens to be in the area anytime soon. The calling bird was just below the road, in a brushy area. The area above the road was heavily timbered with a mix of tree species and sizes. I would appreciate any thoughts on the photos. I realize that without vocalization it would probably not be 100% certain either way. It was unfortunate I couldn’t get better documentation to confirm this bird. I’ll try and post this on IBLE as well, although I seem to have difficulty posting there for some reason. Thanks! Jon

Jon Curd
Boise, ID

Listserv Posts

[IBLE] Interesting Black-chinned Hummingbird

I’ve had an interesting male Black-chinned Hummingbird coming into my feeder the past few days. Where the typical male has a very dark head, chin & the violet throat patch, this male is totally chocolate brown in coloration, at those areas. It took me about a day to figure the bird out. Its visits to the feeder are quite sporadic & brief, but the size, rest of its coloration & wing beat sounds are all Black-chinned. Kind of cool.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Listserv Posts

Re: [IBLE] Watertrush [1 Attachment]

All, The bird was observed by several folks around noon today and was fairly approachable. Exactly where detailed directions said they would be. (Thank You, who ever posted directions!) If you move very slowly sitting or glassing up and down the mostly dry side channel, look low and think small.
It slowly and methodically forages on the ground amongst the river stones, along small pool edges in a side channel of the main river. It also spends time underneath overhanging willows, and dead limbs.
Good Luck, Rich Rusnak

> On Jul 21, 2018, at 6:05 PM, SUSAN Roy MRSSUSANROY@HOTMAIL.COM [ible] wrote:
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>
> The bird was present in same location, Sat. At 5:15
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>

Listserv Posts

[IBLE] Fwd: [obol] Cassia Crossbill trip

Idaho birders,
I am forwarding a link and his email as he is open to questions. Part of
their trip report includes Cassia Crossbill and other parts of S Idaho.
Part of it is birding Oregon. Enjoy. Judy Meredith, jmeredit@bendnet.com

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: [obol] Off-topic: Cassia Crossbill trip
Date: 07-21-2018 15:47
From: Stefan Schlick
To: “obol@freelists.org”
Reply-To: greenfant@hotmail.com

Jim Danzenbaker and I make the trek to see the Cassia Crossbill in
Idaho’s South Hills this last week. Here is the report:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kOUiPQPVaBgPF8_i0aTqoSg7jXGilJ3a/view?usp=sharing
[1]

Feel free to ask if there are questions.

Stefan Schlick

Hillsboro, OR

Links:
——
[1]
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kOUiPQPVaBgPF8_i0aTqoSg7jXGilJ3a/view?usp=sharing

Listserv Posts

Re: [IBLE] Has any one been out looking for Idaho’s new endemic species cassia cross bill ?

Hi Robert, et al,
Yes, today I led eight people tp Mt. Harrison, south of Albion and found Crossbills at three locations. Several were in subalpine firs about a mile past the ski area. One was in lodgepole pines near twin lakes camp ground. And two more were coming to water near Lake Cleveland. Also present were several Clark’s Nutcrackers, 2 Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Pine Grosbeaks, and many Cassin’s Finches. The flowers were outstanding also, including the endemic Christ’s Paintbrush up near the top.
Good Birding,
Chuck Trost

Always forward, never straight…

> On Jul 21, 2018, at 9:02 AM, Robert Kiernan photobirder@gmail.com [ible] wrote:
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> Check on internet
>