Daily Archives: May 19, 2019

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[IBLE] Snowy Plover – Oxford Slough

I was fortunate to find a snowy plover in Bannock County yesterday. There
is a large alkaline playa at the upper reaches of Oxford Slough, southeast
of the intersection of Oxford and Coulam Roads. The bird was at the north
end.

Interestingly, I have been drooling over this playa all spring because of
extensive mud/wet sand flats. It was superb for waterfowl back in late
March and early April, but has largely been disappointing for shorebirds.
I was hoping for lots of stilts, long-billed dowitchers, and maybe a peep
or two. But when I arrived it only harbored 1 killdeer, 1 American avocet,
and 4 Wilson’s phalaropes. I was scanning it a 3rd time in disbelief that
it was so empty when the plover flew in. I took notice of it right away as
something that could be interesting because of it’s overall small size and
light coloration. Wasn’t expecting this species though!

Other noteworthy sightings include a steady stream of hundreds of
white-faced ibis flying back and forth out of their nesting colony at
Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area, out toward Swan Lake Slough and
Marsh Valley. Displaying and calling long-billed curlews, willets, and
Wilson’s snipe were a treat to enjoy. There was also a daytime short-eared
owl along Coulam Road and a great-tailed grackle at Swan Lake Slough.

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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