Biking and birding in the cold


As the weather has shifted to winter temperatures, the birds have amazingly become more cooperative. Tuesday was too wet and icy, but Wednesday eased up. Highlights included a Bald Eagle at Esther Simplot Park and a Great Horned Owl roosting
along the greenbelt. During the ride, I found 4 Redtail Hawks, 4 A. Kestrels, 11 Great Blue herons and 13 DC Cormorants (the DCCO’s were all together). Final treat was a Bohemian Waxwing in a flock of Cedars near 25th and Brumback. My FOY! Final
tally was 40 species in 12 miles.

Thursday was nearly as bird filled, starting with a Cooper’s Hawk in our back yard, plus 2 Bald Eagles at Veterans Pond and a final tally of 38 species in 11 miles. Today was even better, with 40 species in 11 miles. The 2 Bald Eagles were
again hanging out in a tree between the back pond at ESP and Veterans Pond. My big treat today was 2 separate Townsend Solitaires, one at 23rd and Brumback and the other at 25th.

Wonder what I’ll find tomorrow?

Tom McCabe, Boise