Heidi and I headed to CJ Strike with some of Intermountain Bird Observatory’s Lucky Peak crew yesterday
afternoon and were rewarded by 4 immature Sabine’s Gulls seen from the Cottonwood boat dock – including this one that flew by pretty close (thanks Matthew Danihel for the pic).  There were also quite a few Common Terns (30+ between Cottonwood and the upper end of Jack’s Creek) and 2 distant birds that looked good for adult Arctic Terns – I just couldn’t pull the trigger without a better view 😁

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

By now, suspect most have read that N Amer bird numbers are down by 30% since 1970’s. I’ve kept in touch for yrs with my long-retired Ornithology Prof at Univ TX. And, even though my data doesn’t begin to compare with his records from TX (esp North, Gulf Coast, Rio Grande Valley & Big Bend), he & I first compared notes 30 yrs ago re: decreasing warbler migration numbers from my Idaho backyard & his N TX wanderings. In fact, birded with him this summer on a visit to son’s family & it’s becoming a treat to see N Cardinal, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren & TX state bird: Mockingbird. All of which, I barely gave a 2nd glance during undergrad yrs, as they were so common. Prof has definitely noted decreasing numbers of most individual species & esp prominent over the past decade.

Locally, an avid birder & I visited this past spring comparing notes, as well. We had concluded that along our respective areas of the Snake River corridor, overall bird numbers had decreased by a rough figure of 35% in past 10-15 yrs. Unfortunately, follows suit with the article which reviewed Breeding Bird, Christmas Watch & other Citizen Science data. Eventually, a loss of 2 billion birds from the landscape becomes…noticeable. Information for all of us who enjoy birding to ponder.

On an observation note, today found singles of: Nashville Warbler, Gray Catbird, RC Kinglet, Spotted Towhee & House Wren. Also, mixed flocks of Brewer’s, Lincoln’s, White-crowned & Chipping Sparrows working through the sagebrush/rabbit brush grassy area on place.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

From: “Kathleen Arnold”
To: “Larry Arnold”
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2019 12:44:47 PM

in case you’re headed to Australia soon…….. 😉

From: “Missy Arnold”
To: “Larry Arnold” , “Elizabeth Graves”
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2019 6:46:43 AM
Subject: Swooping magpie

[ https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/15/australia/australia-magpie-death-intl-hnk-scli/index.html | https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/15/australia/australia-magpie-death-intl-hnk-scli/index.html ]

I love it — description of BHGR call, last bird listed….. =)

LArnold

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: ebird-alert@cornell.edu
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2019 9:20:27 PM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Idaho Rare Bird Alert

*** Species Summary:

Rock Pigeon (1 Boundary)
Black-chinned Hummingbird (1 Bonneville)
Solitary Sandpiper (1 Bonner)
Warbling Vireo (1 Bonneville)
White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel’s) (2 Bannock)
White-throated Sparrow (2 Bonner)
Green-tailed Towhee (1 Cassia, 1 Fremont)
Black-headed Grosbeak (1 Ada)

———————————————
Thank you for subscribing to the Idaho Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Idaho. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35737
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) (1) CONFIRMED
– Reported Sep 11, 2019 18:06 by Cason Neal
– My House, Boundary, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=48.739311,-116.3662&ll=48.739311,-116.3662
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59717033
– Comments: “Dark gray dove-like bird living in a granary- making low cooing sound”

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) (2)
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 12:16 by Peggy Wyman
– Idaho Falls, 4675 East Silver Spur Court, Bonneville, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=43.42688,-111.94019&ll=43.42688,-111.94019
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59713074
– Comments: “Been in yard all summer. Was surprised to see them after the 4 days of storms we have just had. ”

Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) (1) CONFIRMED
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 08:11 by Fred Forssell
– My Yard, Bonner, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=48.373777,-116.449048&ll=48.373777,-116.449048
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59710197
– Comments: “Single SOSA foraging in low water wetlands. Continuing bird that has been here several weeks.”

Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) (1)
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 12:16 by Peggy Wyman
– Idaho Falls, 4675 East Silver Spur Court, Bonneville, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=43.42688,-111.94019&ll=43.42688,-111.94019
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59713074
– Comments: “Must have come in with the storm. Plain looking bird with supercillium . New yard bird for me! ”

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel’s) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (2)
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 16:32 by Steven Kahl
– Kahl Garden, Mountain Park, Bannock, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=42.9161004,-112.4482495&ll=42.9161004,-112.4482495
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59720073
– Comments: “Pale lores and orangish bill separate this from other subspecies.”

White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel’s) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) (2)
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 16:32 by Steven Kahl
– Mountain Park, Chubbuck, Bannock, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=42.9160179,-112.4482387&ll=42.9160179,-112.4482387
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59720006
– Comments: “Pale lores and orangish bill separate this from other subspecies.”

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (2) CONFIRMED
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 08:11 by Fred Forssell
– My Yard, Bonner, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=48.373777,-116.449048&ll=48.373777,-116.449048
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59710197
– Comments: “Two WTSP in a flock of WCSP. Distinctive white throat patch, dark bill, tan head stripes, and obvious yellow color at base of bill. Gray, plain chest and belly. Observed for several minutes from about 10 meters.”

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) (1)
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 14:00 by Rich Del Carlo
– My yard, Bonner, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=48.3715882,-116.4562985&ll=48.3715882,-116.4562985
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59723293
– Comments: “Juvenile at feeder. ”

Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) (2)
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 13:04 by Kathy Eklund
– East 725 Road South, Malta, Idaho, US (42.254, -113.684), Cassia, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=42.2537078,-113.6835931&ll=42.2537078,-113.6835931
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59715419
– Comments: “Saw & heard call clearly. Green back & tail, rufous cap, white throat.”

Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) (1)
– Reported Sep 11, 2019 16:30 by Paul Kittle
– Vernon Bridge, Fremont, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.0551619,-111.5363288&ll=44.0551619,-111.5363288
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59710287
– Comments: “”Pished” into close, clear view from a chokecherry bush. Distinctive head markings seen well.”

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) (1)
– Reported Sep 12, 2019 10:30 by Matthew Danihel
– Intermountain Bird Observatory at Lucky Peak, Ada, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=43.6056275,-116.0600716&ll=43.6056275,-116.0600716
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59713870
– Comments: “By “sneaker on a gym floor” call. Later seen by a visitor.”

***********

You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird’s Idaho Rare Bird Alert

Manage your eBird alert subscriptions:
https://ebird.org/alerts

My yard was more birdy than normal this morning. I saw a new yard bird …a
warbling Vireo! I also got a new yard family meaning that I watched a male
American goldfinch feeding young. I’ve seen plenty of goldfinches in my
yard before but never juveniles being fed by a parent!

Hey JT thx for sharing your photos of that beautiful country, looked like a great adventure you guys had !! =)
Of course I’m Curious George re discussion generated on FB, yay v. nay, significant finer points, etc….

From: “Jason Talbot”
To: “Larry Arnold”
Cc: “IBLE”
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2019 12:56:57 PM
Subject: Re: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

Yes, I agree with you Larry. I wouldn’t leave it in eBird unless I had better feedback in the affirmative. I figured it would generate some responses and it did on Facebook. I appreciate all the help. I’ll leave it in there as a note because I don’t have enough evidence to confirm this sighting. Maybe Carl will make it up there before the snow flies. I didn’t try taping because I didn’t have White-tailed Ptarmigan sounds on my app. I also couldn’t search for long because I had my friend scared half to death up there and I had a long hike across rugged terrain to go before dark.

This is kind of like a Bigfoot sighting. There are a lot of blurry photos of Bigfoot but nothing to prove that it exists. Haha

Jason

On ‎Thursday‎, ‎September‎ ‎12‎, ‎2019‎ ‎03‎:‎35‎:‎45‎ ‎AM‎ ‎MDT, LARRY ARNOLD larnold47@cableone.net [ible] wrote:

Jason, this may or may not help you with a decision regarding your encounter, but here are some considerations…

In my experience, ptarmigan are generally not shy and are very responsive to playback. I’ve had them practically land at my feet, clucking softly (not their usual scream) and starring me down, both summer and winter. The latter experience was while X-skiing above Aspen.

I find only four IBRC records in Idaho, all reported during Oct-Mar, most recently 27 years ago. This is in spite of birders looking for them in likely locations in the Selkirks, and maybe even in the Purcells and Cabinets. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the species on my eBird list without seeing the bird(s), knowing they aren’t shy. I’ve made mistakes with “identification by vocals-only” that turned out to be mammals, vegetation squeaking in a breeze, or juvies of other bird species. Without photo-documentation, or at least a good decisive visual, my tendency with eBird lists would be to enter notes in the “general comments” for reference purposes only..

In other locations where I’ve lived and birded, our rule-of-thumb *even* for annually expected migrants was that first-of-year birds need to be seen, especially if they were early dates. This should add perspective for a first WTPT encounter in Idaho in nearly 30 yrs. Maybe?

FWIW, Larry

From: “Jason Talbot jason.talbot1@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:18:24 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details [ https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 | https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 ]

This link contains photos from the trip [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 ]

One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ ]

My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!

Jason Talbot
Eagle, ID

Yes, I agree with you Larry. I wouldn’t leave it in eBird unless I had better feedback in the affirmative. I figured it would generate some responses and it did on Facebook. I appreciate all the help. I’ll leave it in there as a note because I don’t have enough evidence to confirm this sighting. Maybe Carl will make it up there before the snow flies. I didn’t try taping because I didn’t have White-tailed Ptarmigan sounds on my app. I also couldn’t search for long because I had my friend scared half to death up there and I had a long hike across rugged terrain to go before dark.
This is kind of like a Bigfoot sighting. There are a lot of blurry photos of Bigfoot but nothing to prove that it exists. Haha
Jason

On ‎Thursday‎, ‎September‎ ‎12‎, ‎2019‎ ‎03‎:‎35‎:‎45‎ ‎AM‎ ‎MDT, LARRY ARNOLD larnold47@cableone.net [ible] wrote:

Jason, this may or may not help you with a decision regarding your encounter, but here are some considerations…

In my experience, ptarmigan are generally not shy and arevery responsive to playback.  I’ve hadthem practically land at my feet, clucking softly (not their usual scream) andstarring me down, both summer and winter. The latter experience was while X-skiing above Aspen.    

I find only four IBRC records in Idaho, all reported during Oct-Mar,most recently 27 years ago.  This is in spiteof birders looking for them in likely locations in the Selkirks, and maybe evenin the Purcells and Cabinets..  I wouldn’tfeel comfortable with the species on my eBird list without seeing the bird(s), knowingthey aren’t shy.  I’ve made mistakes with“identification by vocals-only” that turned out to be mammals, vegetation squeakingin a breeze, or juvies of other bird species. Without photo-documentation, or at least a good decisive visual, my tendency with eBird lists would be to enternotes in the “general comments” for reference purposes only..

In other locations where I’ve lived and birded, our rule-of-thumb *even* for annually expected migrants was that first-of-year birds need to beseen, especially if they were early dates. This should add perspective for a first WTPT encounter in Idaho in nearly 30 yrs.  Maybe?

FWIW, Larry

From: “Jason Talbot jason.talbot1@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:18:24 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613
This link contains photos from the trip https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201
One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/
My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!
Jason TalbotEagle, ID

After 4 days of Stormy Weather including some incredible cloudburst that
lasted for hours, this morning I had two Hummers Hummers. one for sure was
a black-chinned and I’m assuming the other was also. They were together and
that’s what I’ve been seeing. Also I still have a Say’s Phoebe hanging
around and I had house finches , magpies and the meadowlarks were singing
like crazy this morning. Today is bright and sunny and the birds are
enjoying it as much as I am!

Jason, this may or may not help you with a decision regarding your encounter, but here are some considerations…

In my experience, ptarmigan are generally not shy and are very responsive to playback. I’ve had them practically land at my feet, clucking softly (not their usual scream) and starring me down, both summer and winter. The latter experience was while X-skiing above Aspen.

I find only four IBRC records in Idaho, all reported during Oct-Mar, most recently 27 years ago. This is in spite of birders looking for them in likely locations in the Selkirks, and maybe even in the Purcells and Cabinets. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the species on my eBird list without seeing the bird(s), knowing they aren’t shy. I’ve made mistakes with “identification by vocals-only” that turned out to be mammals, vegetation squeaking in a breeze, or juvies of other bird species. Without photo-documentation, or at least a good decisive visual, my tendency with eBird lists would be to enter notes in the “general comments” for reference purposes only.

In other locations where I’ve lived and birded, our rule-of-thumb *even* for annually expected migrants was that first-of-year birds need to be seen, especially if they were early dates. This should add perspective for a first WTPT encounter in Idaho in nearly 30 yrs. Maybe?

FWIW, Larry

From: “Jason Talbot jason.talbot1@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:18:24 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details [ https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 | https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 ]

This link contains photos from the trip [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 ]

One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ ]

My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!

Jason Talbot
Eagle, ID