Love their calls. Found 140 of them in Gem County today – what a site – and it just seems so early to me, but evidently not.
Liz Medes
Emmett ID
Monthly Archives: February 2020
Sandhill Cranes again!
I was on the return leg of my bike ride around 1 pm today when I again heard that wonderful sound of Sandhill Cranes. I was at Willow Lane, with trees obscuring the sky, so I jumped off my bike. Two passing bicyclists apparently thought I was crazy, until I yelled “Sandhill Cranes” and pointed to the circling flock of at least 20 birds. Then the 2 cyclists got excited too when they saw the flock. The birds seemed to be circling somewhere over Garden City (maybe they needed a beer?) but I couldn’t tell exactly where. Way cool.
Tom McCabe, Boise
Re: Says Phoebe
Sweet Find! I have on multiple occasions spotted one in that same locale, usually 2/25 or there abouts.
Happy trails, Rich Nampa
Photo is from Malheur, 5/2019
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Sandhill Cranes!
Today, as I got near to Esther Simplot Park, I heard a sound that always gives me a thrill. It took a second for my brain to process it, but then I realized it was the sound of Sandhill Cranes. I scanned the sky and saw a string of cranes, way up, traveling generally up river. There were at least 20 cranes, maybe 30, but I was standing in the middle of Stewart Ave. and I didn’t really feel comfortable. By the time I got out of the way of cars, they were gone. But way cool.
Then, while scanning all the waterfowl at the main pond at Esther, they all suddenly took off. And I mean EVERY body. I looked up, expecting a raptor but didn’t immediately see anything. Then a shadow crossed over me and I looked up again to see an immature Bald Eagle flying by. It was quite a cloud of birds: Mallards, C. Geese, RB Gulls, A. Wigeons, A. Crows. I think the lone Killdeer managed to stay put, and I think the C. Goldeneye just dove. Still, a noisy cloud of birds, all squawking.
Tom McCabe, Boise
Says Phoebe
Saw a Says Phoebe today on the gravel road by Swan Falls. About a mile North of the dam.
Ruthann Greene
Re: Trumpeter Swans
What a great variety, and how lucky to see that many Trumpeter Swans in close proximity.
Diann
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir
Trumpeter Swans
Took a walk along Snake River this holiday Mon AM to see Trumpeter Swans which have been roosting on river and bank at night. Got a couple of great photos & counted approx 150 swans, in groups ranging from 15 to 60 birds. Over a thousand Canada Geese as well. Plus, Mallards, Buffleheads, Common & Hooded Mergansers.
Others: 1 Blue Jay, Townsend’s Solitaire, Pine Siskins, Am Goldfinches, House Finches, Spotted Towhees, Am Robins, N Flicker, BB Magpies, Common Raven, BC & Mt Chickadees.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Re: Owl ?
I’d say hawk…perhaps red tail
Michael Wiegand
Pearl, Idaho
Pearl, Idaho
208-859-3643-c
208-286-0506-h
208-286-0506-h
Owl ?
Fort boise n .w.a. this Bird has profile of an owl any guesses
New Yard Bird!
Good morning! Not just any new yard bird – 77 has been my favorite number since I can remember, and this bird today happens to be my 77th Yard Bird! (Over almost 20 years now here)
A Townsend’s Solitaire suddenly appeared in the crabapple tree out my window and started feeding. That’s a bird I have only seen a few times in my 44 years of birding! It’s gone now; only stayed about 5 minutes.
Have a great holiday, everyone… Jonathan, HSB
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