Monthly Archives: July 2021

Listserv Posts

Backyard birding

Given our current “heat dome,” birding along the Boise River has slowed down somewhat. But, amazingly, my backyard has gotten more active. While I realize I am catering (literally) to the little feather balls, I’m still amazed.

I won’t bore you with my list for the yard for the year, but just in the last 2 days I’ve had mobs of Lesser and American Goldfinches, House Finches, House Sparrows, Mourning Doves, and BC Hummers. But I’ve also had appearances by Song Sparrows, RB Nuthatches, and BC Chickadees. Then today we had a visit by a Cooper’s hawk (obviously attracted by all the little guys) and then a Lazuli Bunting. While I realize these are not earth-shaking observations, try to remember that I live in a city that is currently frying.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my good fortune. The LABU, in particular, is not a bird that regularly visits my house.

Tom McCabe, Boise

Listserv Posts

IBRC Update

Here’s a list of the latest records IBRC has completed voting on.

Cliff

Accepted in first round:
Flammulated Owl 38-B-2020
Bullock’s Oriole 65-B-2020
Broad-winged Hawk 48-B-2020
Blackpoll Warbler 71-B-2020
Magnolia Warbler 70-B-2020
Black-throated Green Warbler 69-B-2020
Common Grackle 5-B-2021
Tennessee Warbler 3-B-2021
Western Tanager 1-B-2021
Alder Flycatcher 61-B-2020
Broad-winged Hawk 42-B-2020
Dusky Flycatcher 72-B-2020
Yellow-billed Loon 73-B-2020
Rusty Blackbird 66-B-2020
Rusty Blackbird 68-B-2020
Glaucous Gull 26-B-2021
Short-billed Dowitcher 25-B-2021
California Scrub-Jay 23-B-2021
Snowy Plover 21-B-2021
Northern Mockingbird 20-B-2021
Ferruginous Hawk 19-B-2021
Rusty Blackbird 16-B-2021
Fox Sparrow 14-B-2021
Purple Finch 12-B-2021
Clay-colored Sparrow 13-B-2021
Northern Mockingbird 11-B-2021
Black Scoter 75-B-2020

Not Accepted in first round:
Purple Finch 74-B-2020
Field Sparrow 3-A-2020

Accepted in second round:
California Scrub-Jay 16-B-2019 (5-2)
Clay-colored Sparrow 74-B-2015 (6-1)
Eastern Bluebird 4-A-2015 (6-1)
Greater Yellowlegs 9-B-2021 (5-2)

Not Accepted in second round:
Clay-colored Sparrow 36-B-2020 (0-7)
Red-breasted Sapsucker 6-B-2020 (0-7)
Dunlin 10-B-2021 (0-7)
Greater Yellowlegs 8-B-2021 (0-7)
Dunlin 6-B-2021 (1-6)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 64-B-2020 (2-5)
Yellow Rail 40-B-2020 (1-6)

Not Accepted in third round:
Red-breasted Sapsucker 11-B-2016 (4-3)

I’ve been asked a few times about the meaning of the alpha-numeric codes shown after the species name in the list of reviewed records I send out in these updates.  All records are in this format:
Species name, Record Number, (Vote).
Species name is self explanatory.
The record number is in 3 parts separated by hyphens.  The first part is the number of the record within a given year.  The second part is a letter, either A or B, which designates whether the report is for a species with previous Idaho records (B), or if the report is for a species not yet documented in Idaho (A).   The third part is the year in which the report was submitted.
The numbers in parenthesis are the final vote arrived at by IBRC for the record, with the first number for “accept” votes, the second for “not accept” votes.  First round votes must be unanimous to be decisive so any record Accepted/Not Accepted in first round is necessarily 7-0 or 0-7.

Here’s an example:
Lincoln’s Sparrow 11-B-13 (7-0)
In this case the species is Lincoln’s Sparrow.
The record number, 11-B-13, shows that this is the 11th report submitted to IBRC during the year, the “B” shows that there are previous records for Lincoln’s Sparrow, “13” is the year, 2013.
The numbers in parenthesis, (7-0), are the final vote on the record.  7 votes to Accept, 0 votes for Not Accept.

Accepted in first round:
Bewick’s Wren 15-B-13

Accepted in second round:
Lincoln’s Sparrow 11-B-13 (7-0)

-Report rarities to the Idaho Bird Records Committee via the online form at:
https://ibrc.idahobirds.net/node/add/rare_bird_reports
-Helpful tips for preparing your report can be found in this article:
https://ibrc.idahobirds.net/how-to-document
-Don’t forget to check the Review List before taking the time to prepare a report:
https://ibrc.idahobirds.net/review-species
-You can contact the Secretary via email at this address:
secretary@idahobirds.net
-As always you can email any Committee member with questions. Addresses can be found here:
https://ibrc.idahobirds.net/

—
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

Listserv Posts

Re: Red Phalarope reported yesterday from Twin Falls Co (S of Hansen)

I was born in TF and lived there for years, except for a 3 year sting in Pocatello at ISU, until we moved to Boise in 1986. I was a hunter not a birder or photographer back in those days. My grandfather was head water master for the Twin Falls Canal Company and I spent many hours on the canal and ditch banks with him.

The area where these ponds are was a go to duck, pheasant and gray partridge hunting area back then but it has changed a lot from what I could see on satellite maps … I know other areas of the magic valley have to with the huge increase in dairies in the valley and the change in crops to support them. Far more center pivots etc. and fewer weedy brushy areas along ditches from the looks of it.

I would guess these are catch ponds related to dairy operations upstream ???
I have not been into the “south hills” or explored the Stricker Cabin, Murtaugh Lake, Cottonwood Flume etc. areas in many years. Now as a birder I need to make a trip back home to see and bird these areas that keep having a number of rare bird reports popping up.
Patricia …. I sure hope you can keep the access for the local birders and thank you for working with the birding public and the land owners to try and do that !

On Jul 26, 2021, at 7:32 AM, Patricia Weber <birder1932@…> wrote:


The property is private.  There is a group going out this morning and keeping cars to a minimum.  We text the farm manager we are coming.  If the bird is relocated we will try and work out a system to allow access.  For  birders in the area it is a “go to” spot and we do want to lose the access.  
Pat

On Mon, Jul 26, 2021 at 7:08 AM scottywarbler via groups.io <scottywarbler=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
This pond, although private property, is an excellent, overlooked, shorebird spot. I’ve also seen EU Wigeon, LT Ducks, and all three scoters there in early winter. 

Zeke Watkins
208-731-1471
Instagram : @idahobirder
Not all those who wander are lost – J.R.R. Tolkien 
Without the animals, Man would die of a great loneliness of the Spirit – Chief Seattle

An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only great curiosity but great fulfillment – Sir David Attenborough 

On Jul 25, 2021, at 5:54 PM, Jay Carlisle via groups.io <carlislejay=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:



I’ve seen lots of traffic (on eBird & Facebook) about the phalarope up at Mann Lake but an out of state birder (who’s doing some crossbill surveys for Intermountain Bird Observatory) located one yesterday just N of the South Hills – ebird.org/checklist/S92255923.  Not sure if anyone has gone looking today …
Jay


Ken Miracle
chukar28@…
208-570-2780
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5

Listserv Posts

Re: Red Phalarope reported yesterday from Twin Falls Co (S of Hansen)

This pond, although private property, is an excellent, overlooked, shorebird spot. I’ve also seen EU Wigeon, LT Ducks, and all three scoters there in early winter. 

Zeke Watkins
208-731-1471
Instagram : @idahobirder
Not all those who wander are lost – J.R.R. Tolkien 
Without the animals, Man would die of a great loneliness of the Spirit – Chief Seattle

An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only great curiosity but great fulfillment – Sir David Attenborough