2 Spring arrivals today: this AM, a Gray Catbird was calling repeatedly from streamside willows. Slowly worked my way to where it was calling from & got a great observation, including the rufous undertail marking. And, this evening, a male Wilson’s Warbler arrived.
BH Grosbeaks are here in number now, males & females, at least 8 individuals. Yellow Warblers are numerous, calling from cottonwoods. And, Black-chinned Hummingbirds have definitely found the nectar feeder. Males & females with at least one male already performing display flights. Also, a couple of male Lazuli Buntings are present. And, fairly certain, I’ve heard a couple of Bullock’s Orioles over the past 2 days. Still waiting on W Tanager. My sister is seeing them over Gig Harbor way.
My saw my very first Harlequin Duck on May 28, 1977 on Teton Creek in Teton Valley. It was actually a little ways into Wyoming, but pretty close to Idaho!
I can see lots of Harlequins, 15 – 20, about this time every year at LeHardy rapids and fewer at confluence near Yellowstone picnic area. Maybe recent breeding success has them expanding range west. These were a huge nemesis bird for me when we lived back east. I chased them at the coast many years. Now I see them every year on Spring Park trip and have even stopped photographing them in the rapids.
I’ve lived in eastern Idaho since 1991 and yesterday is the first time I’ve seen Harlequin Ducks in east Idaho. I’ve seen them a few times in Montana on the Gallatin River but not over here. Today I was on the South Fork of the Snake River near Swan Valley and a male Harlequin Duck flew up the river right past my boat. Must be the right tome for migration…
Thanks for the spring migrant reports. Today I hear Black-capped Chickadees in conifers along the driveway. A neighborhood Cooper’s Hawk is occasionally in the pines, always exciting to see and hear.
Saw a Black-chinned hummer Friday at a friend’s feeder in Eagle. I’ll put out my hummingbird feeders tomorrow.
The pair of Harlequins I saw today has apparently been seen by others recently so they may be findable if you’re interested. They were feeding among boulders on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River about 1.25 miles downstream from the Stone Bridge at Warm River. They were foraging within twenty feet of a boat and did not act concerned about the presence of the boat so they aren’t being chased around by the traffic on the river. Good luck if you try.
Cliff
— Cliff and Lisa Weisse Island Park, Idaho cliffandlisa@…
Still waiting on Bullock’s Oriole & W Tanager. Seems our biggest Spring push has always been either weekend before or weekend of Memorial Day. Only one Yellow Warbler, so far, still waiting for warblers & vireos. Sadly, past few yrs, fewer Spring (&, for that matter, Fall) overall migrant numbers.
If anyone wants to look for them, there is a pair of Harlequin Ducks on the Henry’s Fork today. They were seen in the section with a lot of boulders about 3/4 mile downstream from Warm River.
Lisa
— Cliff and Lisa Weisse Island Park, Idaho cliffandlisa@…
We’ve had Lazulis since early in the week and house wrens are bubbling away. Calliope is at feeders, but not sure what other hummers. Bullock’s Oriole showed up yesterday and works the hummer feeder. Cowbirds appeared yesterday, which for us is near the end.
Canada Geese and Sandhills are I think nesting in pond, which is large courtesy of beavers. Sharpies and Red Tails are cruising around and Turkeys are courting and making early morning racket.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
