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.
Heard and saw my first Western Meadowlark of 2020 this AM along the Parrish section of the Greenway Trail in Pocatello. Probably 10 days or so ahead of any other first of year sighting for me of Western Meadowlark.
Delete if you do not want to read about your neighboring state. Good birding, judy, jmeredit@…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Announcing the 10th Annual Dean Hale Woodpecker festival. Onlineregistration opens April 1. The Festival is headquartered in beautiful Sisters, Oregon and takes place June 4-7, 2020. This is a very popular festival and most tours fill very quickly, sometimes within a day of registration opening. This year, participants have a choice of twenty-nine guided tours in search of 11 different woodpecker species and 200 other birds that make central Oregon a birding hot spot. Study the list of trips in advance of registration to be sure you can be ready to sign up early on April 1.
The non-profit East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) sponsors the Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival, which offers a fun, friendly, casual atmosphere that is all about the birds. The trips are affordable, limited in size and guided by two local volunteers. The proceeds support ECAS education and conservation projects.
Tour details, registration and more information website:http://www.ecaudubon.org/dean-hale-woodpecker-festival.Questions can be directed to dhwf2020@… or Sherrie Pierce 541-548-4641.
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
