Your birds in the photos are definitely Pine Siskins. The yellow on the wings is dead giveaway..
On Friday, September 6, 2024 at 08:05:32 PM MDT, Tom & Susan Soniville <tomnsueid@…> wrote:
While attempting to take some pictures of lesser goldfinches devouring the seeds of our brown eyed susan flowers, I got these two, instead. I’m thinking juvenile yellow rumped
warblers, but can’t find any pictures close enough to confirm that.
A few weeks ago, I commented on our lack of birds this year. About two weeks after that comment, we woke up to our feeders full of birds and they have only increased in numbers
since then. We have gone from filling feeders once a week to daily fillings. However, we still have not seen any American Goldfinches. The hummingbirds showed up a few days later and are still plentiful. Almost all are juveniles, at this point.
While attempting to take some pictures of lesser goldfinches devouring the seeds of our brown eyed susan flowers, I got these two, instead. I’m thinking juvenile yellow rumped
warblers, but can’t find any pictures close enough to confirm that.
A few weeks ago, I commented on our lack of birds this year. About two weeks after that comment, we woke up to our feeders full of birds and they have only increased in numbers
since then. We have gone from filling feeders once a week to daily fillings. However, we still have not seen any American Goldfinches. The hummingbirds showed up a few days later and are still plentiful. Almost all are juveniles, at this point.
Those are some impressive (in a bad way) numbers of hornets, Bill! Last year was a banner (again, in a bad way) wasp year here, but this summer hasn’t been too bad. Plus, I moved the feeder off the deck & onto a yard hangar, which seems to keep wasps away from the house & provides for better binocular views. Thanks for info about a salt lick. Good wildlife viewing!
Took down last hummer feeder today. Hornets to hummer ratio was at times 100/1. I was getting action, two or three at a time, but too many hornets chasing birds and us.
Nothing else notable hanging around except moose families on salt block. Put one out if you haven’t. $10 or so at tractor supply, then get up early.
A bit of an uptick in fall migrants today. Have seen: YR (Audubon’s) Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers & Gray Catbird. Also, RN Sapsuckers, both adults & juveniles. And, a single juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbird at the feeder. Have one juvenile BH Grosbeak coming in for seeds. And, overhead, Bald Eagles, RT Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks & Common Ravens. Along the river: Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs & a Spotted Sandpiper.
My greatest numbers are from a colony of Least Chipmunks that have taken up residence at the backyard/Riparian woods junction. They had a good litter(s) of young this summer & I have little chipmunks running amok! Of course, I have to throw out a few sunflower seeds for them, too!
For two or three weeks we had Cassin’s finches and siskins at our feeders. Absent today and yesterday. And I’ve been seeing young yellow rumped warblers around. Blackbirds, mostly Brewers, are grouping into large flocks. I saw two SACR this morning, too.
Dean Jones
Donnelly
Dean Jones
“A world of facts lies outside and beyond the world of words.” Thomas Huxley
It’s good to read what’s happening with bird movements around Boise and around the state. I’ve been hearing and seeing BC Chickadees, hearing Red-breasted Nuthatches, seeing small flocks (4-10) House Finches, less Black-chinned Hummingbird activity, and occasional evening Screech Owls. It’s enough to keep my ears and eyes alert.
Thanks for your report from west side of state. I’ve been watching for Pine Siskins to hit my thistle feeder, but none as of yet. No big “flush” of songbirds through our place, as of yet, either.
Just seems, one day the birds are here, next day, must have pulled out at night. Today, had a bit of activity for an hour at the nectar, 2 Black-chinneds & 1 Calliope…all juvs. Appears they’ve since moved on. Best bird today has been one Gray Catbird working the interface between yard & woods.
About 2 weeks ago, we had a male Lazuli Bunting show up at our feeders. He was quickly accompanied by a female. He stayed for a couple of days; she stayed a day longer. Then, a week ago, our first Pine Siskin showed up, and by today there
were 3 of them. And yesterday there was a Western Tanager hanging around across the street, but he never made it into our yard. BC Hummers continue to visit the feeders, but traffic has slowed somewhat. And our neighborhood Wild Turkeys continue to delight,
although one never knows where they’ll be found.
I can’t wait for full-on migration!
Tom McCabe, Boise
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
