Today was the 20th consecutive day where I was able to identify 40 or more birds. Since some of the waterfowl have started to leave, it has been getting a little harder, and I haven’t had a Sandhill Crane flyover to help me in about a week. But today, when I got back to Esther Simplot with only 39 birds, I was considering whether I should extend my ride. It was getting pretty warm, and I was definitely overdressed, but then, like a “deus ex machina” in a play, I was rescued.
I heard, and then saw, a small V formation of swans, flying over my location at Quinn’s Pond. At first I thought they must be Snow Geese, but they were BIG, and there was no black on the wings. The sound was somewhat similar to the cranes, and I have now listened to lots of recordings of both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans (at the time and then at home) and I’ve concluded they had to be Tundra Swans. This is definitely a first for me and my little corner of the greenbelt.
I wonder who will fly over tomorrow?
Tom McCabe, Boise