We finished up today with 105 total species including 4 count week species.
We had a fantastic group of people out beating the bushes for birds. Thank you for your tremendous effort.
The rarest bird seen today was a Brant that was seen in the Caldwell area; Jay, Carter and Lucien found the bird near Caldwell ponds. (If you go looking for the bird please note that Caldwell ponds and the berms around the on are off limits to the public.). The Brant was seen with a large flock of Canada Geese.
We did have a few misses: Western Screech Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Evening Grosbeak and Rock and Canyon Wrens. If you happen to be out in the area of the Nampa count circle and see these species please let me or Cheryl know. Our count week ends on Tuesday.
Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho
Hi all,,
I refound the bird this evening at 17:25. I once again had distant and brief views but the lighting was better. I got good looks this and am definitely comfortable calling this a Brant. The bird lacked any white in the face and had a very dark (black) body.
I resighted it still north of the highway but just east of pond lane flying with Canada Geese.
-Carter
Quick note bc we’re still counting but …
During the Nampa/Caldwell CBC ~855 this AM, Carter, Lucian, & I saw a tiny, dark goose (no white seen on face but wish we were closer) in flight with Canadas & we’re 99% sure it was a Brant. The birds flew N over hwy 20 @ ~Farmway Rd. We’ll be watching towards sunset in case it returns to roost (not sure where this is, presumably along or near the river) via the same route.
If you go looking in this area, BE AWARE that Caldwell Ponds has apparently changed ownership & is fenced off. Thus, we were not especially welcome along Pond Lane this morning.
Brian:
I have 2 tray feeders, one tube feeder, and a thistle sock feeder. The Redpoll that graced my yard with his presence was actually on one of the tray feeders. In the tray and tube feeders I have a mix of sunflower chips and millet. At times I have upwards of 30 Pine Siskins fighting for a place in the tray feeders and “accepting” the tube and sock feeder. When the tray feeder is full of only millet, I dump the millet on the brick walkway in the back yard and refill. The brick walkway is completely cleaned in less than 24 hours. Sadly, the A. Goldfinches have abandoned us for now. But I’m getting Lesser Goldfinches, DE Juncos, H. Finches and Mourning Doves. The trees around our yard are like the waiting area at a popular restaurant. 😉
Tom
As of 830am, owl still around the general area of the campground at Montour WMA on Sat. the 19th. We watched him for ~45 min from a distance. Before sunrise he did lot of hunting for us. After sunrise he calmed down, preened for a while and settled into place. Great bird.
Lots of other nice raptors present as well – rough legs, harriers, red tails, kestrels, etc.
Todd
Hey Tom,
Don’t know if you feed birds, but about 15 yrs ago, we had a great winter irruption of Redpolls in E ID. And, I found they liked one food source. Thistle seed & they liked it in both the thistle seed feeders & scattered on the ground. We would have as many as 50+ at a time.
Right now, only getting Am Goldfinches at the thistle seed, but hoping for Redpolls!
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Brian
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