Red top ponds 50 + snows,fly by large flock White front’ ducks n.shovers ring necks buffle heads lots of ruddies on to roswell’,junction hiway 18 & pioneer lane in field close to 1000 snows. on around west side pond near road black neck stilt opal lane 4 green wing teals 50 + white fronts
Monthly Archives: April 2020
Snow Geese at Les Bois
After the Eurasian Wigeon disappeared after only one day, I was reluctant to report the 5 Snow Geese that have been hanging out in the infield of Les Bois. But today was their third day there, so I decided I should put the word out. They have been hanging out on the grass of the infield and not associating with the C. Geese that are all over the place.
Also, in the pond at Les Bois today was a N. Pintail, a bird that I usually see along the river near Plantation Island. Plus there was at least one RN Duck on the pond as well, along with the gazillion A. Coots, etc.
Also saw my first VG Swallow the other day, a quick flyby at Esther Simplot, not repeated since.
Tom McCabe, Boise
New Arrivals
Had 2 Tree Swallows arrive this AM. And, saw sev Turkey Vultures soar overhead. Both FOY birds.
Most interesting was a Raven harassing a much larger bird, high overhead. I heard the Raven before finally locating it through the binocs. It took a minute or two for the sun to highlight the larger bird enough for me to see that it was a Golden Eagle. The Raven kept up dives & a pursuit until the Golden flew beyond some sky boundary that the Raven must have considered, his.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Re: Long legged critters
It seems like a very nice day. Thanks for sharing your good times and the sightings.
Long legged critters
Pleasant surprise at Little Rock Road ponds in Gem CTY late yesterday – two American Avocets and three black necked stilts. We drove further on into Payette County then doubled back and saw our FOS Great egret, and when reglassing the pond noticed the avocets and stilts were gone. Then saw them fly over from the field where sandhills and yellow legs are gathering and back into the ponds.
Heading back to Emmett on Cascade Rd on the corner of HWY 52 is a mud puddle where we saw stilts last year, and there they were with four cinnamon teals.
The laugh of the day was further east on Cascade road, where the private ponds are across from the sand mill – two honkers are sitting on a platform nest, power pole height – and at near equal height perched on top of a construction crane were two returning osprey – no doubt waiting their turn!
Wishing everyone many healthy, happy birding trails,
Liz Medes
Emmett
Says Phoebe
Here is decent pic of the Says Phoebe I stay today
Says Phoebe
While checking Waterfowl and Fish on the Henry’s Fork .25 miles above Mack’s Inn bridge i found a Says Phoebe working the banks for the midges and Mayflies on the snow. This the first Says Phoebe I have see since coming to Island park in 1996. I took pictures but not sure of quality. Will post if have a good one.
Tom Watkins
Re: Eurasian Wigeon
That’s a very cool sighting! I hope others will report if they see it Thursday.
Eurasian Wigeon
Part of my daily bike ride includes peeking through the fence at Les Bois race track to try to identify the birds on the infield pond. Some days it’s harder than others. Today, while sorting through all the swimmers (a gazillion Coots, etc.) I realized that one of the Wigeons had a red head instead of a green head. It has been years since I last saw a Eurasian Wigeon, but there he was. I’m not sure I could distinguish a female EUWI, but one female seemed to hanging close to the male, so who knows.
If you want to chase, go to Alworth St. in Garden City, then turn north on 52d St., go left at Mr. Mudd Concrete onto Remington St., and pull over when you see the American flag on a fence post. Opposite the flag is a trampled down place next to the chain link fence (I confess!). Look through the fence and you’ll see the pond. This is the only place I’ve found where I can see what’s on the pond, although it’s a really restricted point of view. Plus, the pond is about 100 yards away. Nevertheless, I can get good views with my little 10 power binos. Some days, when the wind is blowing from the west, like today, it can cause some serious eye-watering.
Just had to share, in spite of social distancing.
Tom McCabe, Boise