I have witnessed the same behavior many years ago at Minidoka NWR. It was a windy day. I think the gulls need a strong wind to feed in this manner
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Daily Archives: September 18, 2022
Warblers
Thank you, as well, Nancy! Today, have seen YR Warblers, Orange-crowned, Wilson’s & 1 Nashville Warbler. Townsend’s a few days ago. Sev Gray Catbirds, always working along creekside understory & never more than 8′ off the ground. Find them by their sound. But, if hadn’t read your note, would still be wondering what the trim gray bird I saw was…a Townsend’s Solitaire. They winter in our Snake River Bottoms, but unusual to see any quite this early.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
warblers, chickadees and robins
Thanks for the reminder. Brian and Cliff.
We always have chickadees and nuthatches here, but they did seem to be especially noisy and active today when a small flock of warblers, kinglets and vireo came thru – some were in the willows and shrubs but most were in the hawthorns and near the water features. Unfortunately, before I got photos or as many ids as I would have liked, a horde of robins came in to the hawthorns and water features and seemed intent on harassing the smaller birds which then dispersed. I for sure identified YRWA (A) immature and mature, a Townsend’s Warbler (first sighting this year), Cassin’s Vireo and multiple ruby-crowned kinglets. Chipping Sparrows, downy woodpeckers, an Anna’s hummingbird also. We still have 2 or 3 Townsend’s Solitaire each day. The Anna’s has been around a few days but is seen very rarely. Some White-crowned Sparrows were with a group of small birds yesterday.
Nancy Miller
Viola ID
Re: Gulls at CJ Strike : Jack’s Creek
I remember seeing a Ring-billed Gull in a Russian Olive and
eating olives at Wilson Spring Ponds years ago. It struck me as
unusual at the time but apparently that wasn’t a one off
observation.
Cliff
On 9/18/22 11:42AM, John Shortis via
groups.io wrote:
groups.io wrote:
Hi Birders,Yesterday, Amy Bechtel &
I were at Jack’s Creek. It was very windy, so a lot of birds
hunkered down.A group of Ring-billed Gulls
seem to be taking advantage of the strong winds by almost
appearing to perch on the tops of the Russian Olives to pick
off the olives.Has anyone else seen this
before?John Shortis.
-- Cliff and Lisa Weisse Island Park, Idaho cliffandlisa@...
Gulls at CJ Strike : Jack’s Creek
Hi Birders,
Yesterday, Amy Bechtel & I were at Jack’s Creek. It was very windy, so a lot of birds hunkered down.
A group of Ring-billed Gulls seem to be taking advantage of the strong winds by almost appearing to perch on the tops of the Russian Olives to pick off the olives.
Has anyone else seen this before?
John Shortis.
Re: Nashville Warbler
The same seems to be true for Mountain Chickadee. Whenever I hear
chickadees and nuthatches I check to see if there are warblers
moving through the area with them. Often there are at this time of
year.
Cliff
On 9/18/22 09:57AM, lcarrigan_55 wrote:
Not often, anymore, get a new “yard” bird on our place. And,
although not necessarily uncommon for ID, found a Nashville
Warbler this AM, working thru cottonwoods. Yard bird #179, only
“List” I keep these days.Overall, Fall migration numbers are down by at least 50%, compared
to numbers I would see in 1980s. Unfortunately, Audubon data bears
this out, as well. So, I’m using whatever resources I can to
locate Fall Warblers. Mentioned this yrs ago on IBLE, &
studies confirm, but bears repeating. Have found that BC
Chickadees serve as “guide” birds to the migrating songbirds.
Believe it’s more of a “survival technique”. Whenever I hear BC
Chickadees loudly calling, I rush to the area & find a group
of fall migrants working thru the willows & cottonwoods. Think
it’s more, “Come this way, eat a few bugs & then get going, as
that’s our Winter food supply”. Whatever the reason, tends to work
without fail during the Fall.Good Birding,
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
-- Cliff and Lisa Weisse Island Park, Idaho cliffandlisa@...
Nashville Warbler
Not often, anymore, get a new “yard” bird on our place. And, although not necessarily uncommon for ID, found a Nashville Warbler this AM, working thru cottonwoods. Yard bird #179, only “List” I keep these days.
Overall, Fall migration numbers are down by at least 50%, compared to numbers I would see in 1980s. Unfortunately, Audubon data bears this out, as well. So, I’m using whatever resources I can to locate Fall Warblers. Mentioned this yrs ago on IBLE, & studies confirm, but bears repeating. Have found that BC Chickadees serve as “guide” birds to the migrating songbirds. Believe it’s more of a “survival technique”. Whenever I hear BC Chickadees loudly calling, I rush to the area & find a group of fall migrants working thru the willows & cottonwoods. Think it’s more, “Come this way, eat a few bugs & then get going, as that’s our Winter food supply”. Whatever the reason, tends to work without fail during the Fall.
Good Birding,
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot