Great photos liz –gena
Monthly Archives: February 2021
Re: Another great day AND SCREECH OWL BOX
Right? That’s what I said! Yay, Tom and all those able to get the vaccine.
If I may change the subject – I have a screech owl situation. We’ve had families of WSOW nesting in our backyard owl box for the last 7 years. Really cool! Last year the mom, (I really think she’s been the same one) passed away. 😢 (another piece of lame ’20) Dad, (not the first) raised the chicks and everything was mostly fine for the rest of the summer. (Besides the lame Coopers Hawk)
THIS year – I have a squirrel nesting. My question is … will a new pair kick the squirrel out or do I need to? I’ve been hearing one out at night so it’s possible a there might be a new family, but how brave are they?
Thanks so much for your thoughts – happy birds and happy vaccines.
=) Kim
SE Boise
Re: Another great day
Tom, I’d say you had an extraordinary day of birds
and
of all peeps I know, you deserve the VA’s attention getting that vaccination woohooooooo !!!!!!!
good on ya dude !!!
moi
Another great day
When I realized that today would not be another day in the deep freeze, I decided I should take a longer ride and raid Larry Arnold’s end of the greenbelt. But then I called the VA this morning on the off chance I could get on a schedule for a vaccination. Amazingly, I was given an appointment for 4 pm today.
So of course I couldn’t let an appointment interfere with my quest for more birds so I set off in a hurry. The Song Sparrows (2-nesting?) in my back yard helped me to get a good start, and everybody seemed to be encouraging me to go further. Finally, I was 10 miles out and I needed to be home fairly quickly. Normally, I just cruise my way home, but today I powered on and made 10 miles in less than an hour. Not bad for an old fart.
Final tally was 47 species, including a Bald Eagle, 6 different RT Hawks, 12 different GB Herons, a Merlin, a FOY Ring-necked Duck, and lots of cooperative birds.
Oh, and the shot was no big deal, no obvious reaction, and an appointment for my 2d shot in a month. What a great day!
Tom McCabe, Boise
Gem County jewels
Hey folks,
Didn’t want anyone to miss the GBHE action in photos posted in the last few days. I would say Gem County takes the bullfrog haul, more proof we have plenty of treasures (besides what’s on the Butte) under the mud.
Didn’t want anyone to miss the GBHE action in photos posted in the last few days. I would say Gem County takes the bullfrog haul, more proof we have plenty of treasures (besides what’s on the Butte) under the mud.
Here’s Gina’s checklist, a bit more balletic maybe, nevertheless a hungry heron;
https://ebird.org/checklist/S81494369
And Denise’s, I think this may be a first in ten so to speak – that neck is so thick, maybe appetizers and a main dish that’s on its way?
https://ebird.org/checklist/S82012397
Frog, it’s what’s for dinner.
Liz M
Emmett ID
Snake River birds
I took a look at the Snake River just outside the town of Grand View, Owyhee County, today (edge of the Trueblood Wildlife Area). This island was crowded with gulls of at least two species, and the water downstream (and up) had various duck sp. and American Coots.
A conservation note: Even water birds, like coots, are not immune from becoming roadkill victims. On top of the bridge was this roadkill American Coot.
Alan Gregory
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Re: Red-tailed Hawk
Not shy! What a steely gaze.
Red-tailed Hawk
This stunning raptor made my day. Bird perched at about six feet above ground near the intersection of Smith Road and stateHwy. 51 just inside the city limit of Mountain Home, Elmore County. The eyes of this bird are telling a story; that was my first thought.
Alan Gregory
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N Goshawk
I’ve noticed my feeders have been unusually quiet this past week. I did see a Sharp-shinned Hawk on the tail of a House Finch last wkend, but the feeders have seen less use than just for a Sharpie.
Today, I discovered the culprit. There’s a Bald Eagle pr that has nested across the river from us for 8 yrs now. They’ll be nesting soon, already adjusting their 3 y/o nest (previous one blew down). I was watching the pr soar from back deck thru my binocs, when I scanned across a cottonwood & my first reaction was…Osprey (& thought that can’t be right!). I left the eagles & adjusted my glasses to the new bird.
A beautiful, adult N Goshawk with very fine gray barring on chest, so fine, the chest was almost pure white, except through the spotting scope. Also, sharp contrast between white & very dark gray on its head. According to Sibley, must be male, as female should have coarser gray markings on breast. In any case, allowed great looks for nearly an hr thru scope. And my feeders were silent, until it left. Always a treat to see!
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Lapland Longspur – near Blacks Creek
There is a Lapland Longspur in a large flock of Horned Larks near railroad tracks east of Blacks Creek. In field without sagebrush, South side of road.
Danette Henderson
Boise