I drove over to Carey this morning to observe the Hooded Oriole. Thanks to Zeke and the homeowner for the opportunity!
Heather
Monthly Archives: May 2023
05 20 2023 Morning Visitor
This little quail came to visit my house in Nampa
per Facebook & eBird – Hooded Oriole reported in Carey
Message from Zeke on Facebook: “Hooded Oriole NE of Carey. 396 Austin Rd. Bird is in the backyard. Please don’t block the driveway. Oranges donated would be welcomed.” Zeke heard from landowner about it yesterday afternoon …
2 Spring Arrivals Today
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.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Re: More On Harlequins
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!
Re: More On Harlequins
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.
Bill Moore
Inkom
Re: More On Harlequins
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…
Cliff
Re: Next 3+ Weeks
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.
Diann Stone
Boise Depot Bench
More On Harlequins
All,
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
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Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@…
Re: Next 3+ Weeks
I forgot mention BH Grosbeaks, aka drunken robins, also showed last week/Bill