My FOY Black-headed Grosbeak hasn’t made an appearance yet – maybe today? But I was DELIGHTED to wake up to my FOY Western Tanager sitting outside my bedroom window.
Did I ever mention that I believe we should change the State bird for Idaho to the Western Tanager? – for 2 reasons:
Idaho would have it’s own unique State bird – ie., no longer share a State bird with another State, and more importantly…
The Western Tanager is the only bird I know of that is historically noted as DISCOVERED in Idaho – by Lewis & Clark in their expedition.
If I am incorrect, please correct me. But if this group got behind a drive to change the State bird, could we make it happen? I don’t know if that is possible, but I’m throwing it out there… 😊
Our first Lazuli just showed up. They really love the cheap bird seed with millet/milo. I keep it up all summer, while sunflower seeds disappear, on my initiative, for birds in a couple weeks.
I saw Brian’s post about BH Grosbeaks. My theory is Evenings molt to BH because I don’t see both. Maybe this year???
I saw a pair of Sapsuckers yesterday and house wrens are bubbling. Maybe they will nest in garage again.
The Pygmy Owl continues it’s real early morning calls. I thought it was a Saw Whet until I hit the Cornell song site and figured out the difference. Regardless a tiny owl that would be nearly impossible to find and see up in the tree margin.
Like per previous post by Dave Pace, inundated with Evening Grosbeaks. Today, have counted 20+ individuals & 7 at feeders, at once. Cassin’s Finches are running a close 2nd. And the American Goldfinches are in full breeding plumage & crowd the feeder in-between times, when the larger Finches make room. I’ve gone through 3 lbs of black-oil sunflower seeds today alone & will fill again before evening.
Also, 2 of my favorite spring birds arrived today, both males, at the feeders. A Lazuli Bunting & Black-headed Grosbeak. A female Black-chinned Hummingbird is regularly hitting its feeder today. And, the Blue Jay continues to sneak black-oil sunflower seeds from the feeder. But, by far, the most vocal, semi-tame acting & frequent visitors, are the Evening Grosbeaks.
A pretty good hoard of Evening Grosbeaks have been devouring our black oil sunflower seeds the last few days. There were 13 in the single feeder in the picture. Such beautiful birds.
Does anyone know if there is road access to the magic mountain ski area south of Twin Falls right now? I will be heading south that way soon and was thinking about trying for the crossbills. Too much snow? Thanks for your help,
Glad to hear Black-chinned Hummingbirds are showing up in town now. Does anyone on the Depot Bench have them? My feeders have been up for almost a month, but I haven’t seen any yet. I’ll start watching more frequently. It’s the only species I see in my yard other than an occasional Rufous during fall migration.
Diann Stone Boise Depot Bench
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir
Today, after reading reports of hummingbird arrivals, filled my feeder as noted in earlier post. I’ve had several visits to the nectar now by a female Black-chinned. In reading responses re: wasps & earwigs, I can offer my solutions.
I use a swivel arm, hooked-pole that clamps to top rail of deck to hang my feeder from. My biggest problem is from earwigs, as another response noted. So, I use sticky, double-sided tape & wrap about a 3″ section, halfway up the pole. Kind of grim, but, end of earwigs making it to the feeder. Have to change the tape about once a week. The wasps, as also noted in another response, aren’t too much of a problem until fall. And the hummers & wasps will have some battles, but they’re never the problem the earwigs have been.
In other news, the numbers of Cassin’s Finches have been more than in years. Had almost forgotten how beautiful the males are with their purple-red heads/breasts fading to white & partial crest. The Evening Grosbeaks numbers have been another treat. Also, good numbers of White-crowned Sparrows are now showing. A good day.
I’m sure Larry will have some suggestions. I use 4 cup Perky Pet wide mouth glass feeders and have 4-5 up in July and August and am very happy with them. We also have a hornet problem in late summer.
I’m sure bird purists will be aghast at my wasp solution but it seems to work. I spray the feeders with wasp spray and try to keep spray away from ports as much as possible and feature the neck and underside. I feared the birds would be hurt or stay away from the poison/stink, but I’m usually desperate from all the wasps/ants.What I think I see is the birds still come in huge numbers and the wasp infestation slows down, maybe I’ll sign anonymously. We get nests in lots of odd places, including in door/mirror of plow truck, and while the sugar is a prime food I think there’s plenty of food for them to live off of.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
