The shallow wetlands in the Marsh Valley, Portneuf River Valley and Swan
Lake areas of Bannock County are thawed out and providing superb habitat
for migrant waterfowl and even a few shorebirds right now. The large pond
at Swan Lake Slough was mostly frozen yesterday, but there were many
Canvasbacks and a sprinkling of Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American
Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, and American Coot. The big numbers were in the
upper reaches of Oxford Slough and adjacent playas where I counted over 700
Northern Pintail, close to 200 Green-winged Teal and 18 Sandhill Cranes. I
found my 1st Cinnamon Teal of the year as well as 2 early American Avocet
and 2 Long-billed Curlew. I thought I was hearing things when the first
curlew called. It seemed to be very close to my car, but I never did see
it. How could I not be able to get my eyes on such a large bird that
sounded so close!?! When it called a second and third time, I switched
thoughts from thinking I was delusional to appreciating that their powers
of remaining out of sight are better than I realized. Interestingly, the
scenario repeated itself when I stopped at another location a couple miles
down the road!

A surprise to me was the lack of swans. I found three groups of 2-6
Trumpeter Swans, but no Tundra Swans at all. It seemed like the perfect
time and habitat conditions. Perhaps the Tundras are still at Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge.

Other migrants included almost 60 Mountain Bluebirds moving in a wave
across a large pasture and hayfield at Oxford Slough, Turkey Vulture flying
over Chubbuck, several singing Western Meadowlark at several locations, and
Yellow-headed Blackbirds singing at Swan Lake Slough. A couple Marsh Wrens
were singing vociferously at Oxford Slough, but I believe these birds
over-wintered. The Pine Siskins have all but disappeared from my feeders
in Chubbuck.

Steven F. Kahl
Deputy Project Leader
Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex
4425 Burley Dr., Ste. A
Chubbuck, ID 83202
C (208) 252-0805
P (208) 237-6615 ext 112
F (208) 237-8213

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As of yesterday, the blue jay visiting my feeders has been present for 5 months. Its first appearance at the feeders was Oct 21, 2018. So, it officially overwintered. And, it wasn’t necessarily an “easy” winter this past season. In fact, it’s still “winter” at the higher elevations. I have to think that a consistent supply of black-oil sunflower seeds & whole corn kept it around. Probably debatable whether that’s a good thing or not.

Lately, the blue jay has become very vocal, announcing his arrivals with loud jay screeches. And, it’s in full, bright fresh spring feathers with turquoise & vivid blue colors, too. I keep wondering when (if?) it will take off, perhaps to look for a mate. As of yet, there have been no return answers to his calls. As the snow recedes, the jay’s feeder visits are becoming less predictable, so obviously finding some natural forage, as well. Overall, just plain fascinating!

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Teton Valley floor is still plastered over with a gleaming layer of white snow but someone in Victor today heard and saw a solitary crane out in a field. I also had a Western Meadowlark on Packsaddle Road–second one as I saw one farther to the east on Sunday. Many Red-tailed Hawks perched near nest sites, and

Also on Sunday, we toured Mud Lake which is east of Hwy 15 and north of Hwy 33. It was completely frozen but at least the roads were dry or frozen also.
..
At the South boat ramp, had a group of 6 American Tree Sparrows and some juncos foraging along the edges of remaining snow patches. Two Northern Harrier males flew courtship displays. A solitary Red-winged Blackbird rattled a few times. One large female Prairie Falcon was seriously harassing a Short-eared Owl. along the entrance road. And numbers of Red-tailed Hawks and Rough-legged Hawks were soaring with a few immature Bald Eagles, and Rough-leggeds of different hues also perched along the road.

At the North Boat ramp it was even quieter with a few flickers and robins. Then we spied a group of over 90 Canada geese and 10 Trumpeter Swans (6 were cygnets) resting on the ice mid-lake. As we left a male Mountain Bluebird flashed us and against the brown background, appeared to be the brightest bluebird we have ever seen.

Happy birding, Susan Patla Teton Valley Idaho

A bit of a change at the feeders. Had only 2 Pine Siskins yesterday, none today. But 2 Lesser Goldfinches finally showed at my feeders. Also, a Red-breasted Nuthatch showed up yesterday & is still present.

DC Cormorants, Common Goldeneyes, Mallards, Canada Geese & at least one Cackling Goose & a Hooded Merganser have been on the river. I’ve watched up to 6 Trumpeter Swans landing on the Snake River, near the Canada Geese in the evenings, as well.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

A couple of mountain bluebirds were visiting the back area of the Winco parking lot in Pocatello around noon today.  – Jenny

Saw a Turkey Vulture this morning on my way to work. Very Surprised. This was in Payette County.

Tim Teal

We were hoping for an avocet or curlew or yellowlegs yesterday somewhere in SW Idaho, none of which happened, but here’s our report:

Hagerman Valley – most of the wintering waterfowl had departed, but Lesser Scaup were numerous, and we found a treasure trove of night-herons.

Bruneau Duck Pond – much water, no mud, no shorebirds detected, but a new pedestrian access gate installed by Fish and Game means no more hassling with barbed wire fences to get in there with a scope !! =)

CJ Strike Jack’s Creek – very few birds on the open water, no grebes in sight (weird), but many gulls and Snow Geese, one LB Dowitcher was very early per the eBird bar chart, and a RB Merganser looked out of place because we typically see them below CJ Strike Dam, not out here

Ted Trueblood – no room for shorebirds on the little island where they tend to show up, island and pond were covered with Snow geese! We estimated 4600 of them among the Canada and GWF geese.

Indian Cr Res – much water, some exposed shoreline, 10+ killdeer, c’est tout for shorebirds, but a good mix of waterfowl

Black’s Cr Res – much water, no exposed mud, not even a killdeer present, and very few waterfowl

Nary a swallow anywhere all day, but 67 other species, including a Northern Shrike near Bliss, and a uniquely Sunny-Not-Windy day made for an awesome road trip.

Larry and Missy

Possibly of interest to some in Idaho,

2019 DEAN HALE WOODPECKER FESTIVAL, SISTERS, OREGON

The 9th Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival will be held May 30 – June 2.
Based in Sisters, Oregon, this is an opportunity to see eleven species
of woodpeckers that nest locally as well as up to 200 other bird species
found in central Oregon. East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) sponsors
this festival, which offers a fun, friendly, casual atmosphere that is
all about the birds. The trips are affordable and two local volunteers
guide each trip with the proceeds supporting the many ECAS projects and
programs that foster bird conservation. On-line registration opens April
1, 2019 at 8am, PDT. Trip registration fills quickly. Complete
information can be found at:

www.ecaudubon.org/dean-hale-woodpecker-festival

Wow! 200 Pine Siskins. My high count has been 20. I have noticed that the males’ wing bars are becoming a much brighter lemon yellow this past week. I do have 50+ American Goldfinches coming in…and can’t locate a single Lesser in the bunch.

Blue Jay is now in his 5th month here. And, a surprise this AM, was a visit by a/the female Purple Finch. Not sure if she overwintered or another one? As, her visits are so infrequent & unpredictable. It does appear that the Harris’ Sparrows are gone. Still getting daily Trumpeter Swan flyovers, esp AM at sunrise.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

An excellent article on bird migration and human thought.

Bob Perata
Boise/Punta Del Este, Uruguay

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-van-hemert-migration-birds-spring-20190310-htmlstory.html

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