Cheryl and I are so grateful for the people who participate in the Nampa CBC. This is our 8th year of compiling this bird count and we really appreciate everyone’s participation. It’s always a fun day and now we get to coast through the remainder of the local CBCs.

The total count for count day is 107 species (not including 1 species that needs to be verified). There are also 2 additional species for count week.

Thanks also to the fantastic people who provided food for dinner. It was great!

Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho

I’ve figured out a pattern to my Blue Jay visitor. His first arrivals to my feeders are within 30 minutes of sunrise, and at these visits, the jay shells up to a dozen seeds (with a couple of well-placed strikes of its beak) and swallows those. Then, he’ll top off with up to 20 more whole black-oil sunflower seeds.

I believe those first visits, where he shells seeds, is to get them into the digestive system as quickly as possible to replace calories lost from simply surviving single digit night temps. Then, he collects more whole seeds for his cache.

After trial & error over the years, I now exclusively feed: black-oil sunflower seeds, thistle seed, berry-blend suet & whole corn (for Wild Turkey & Pheasant). Interestingly, the Blue Jay also takes whole corn. This AM, his visits are averaging: 11 shelled seeds, 12 whole seeds & 10 whole kernels of corn, all taken at a single visit. I can actually see the distension of his crop as he flies away. A Blue Jay is a reasonable-sized bird but he’s no Raven, size-wise. Amazes me how much he can sock away in his crop!

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot