Did you survey the area south of Highway 26? I had similar results across the river by Homedale. The reason I ask is that I did that route about 10 years ago as a fill in. I really loved the route.
I’ve put a hold on filling my platform feeder. There’s a Sharp-shinned Hawk, & occasionally 2, that has taken up residence at my feeder. As evidenced by feather piles, the hawk has been taking a junco about every 3-4 days & perches nearby for hours at a time. The only birds that will brave the platform feeder are BC Chickadees, while the Sharpie is around. The hawk is only doing what it’s designed to, but I don’t have to regularly supply its meals. The Sharpie needs to expand its territory. And, have my feeder simply become a stop along its wanderings, not its primary meal source. I’ll restart feeding in a couple of weeks.
Along the river, I was pleasantly surprised to see a Bald Eagle flyby with nesting material in its talons. I know their last nest blew down in an early Fall windstorm.
Well, except for a light skiff of snow which melted rapidly, the winter storms tracked north & south of us. Leaving us with only scattered clouds, rapidly moving east, & mainly sunshine with blue skies. Swans appear to be taking advantage of the blue skies this AM.
For the past hour, have counted well over a thousand Tundra Swans in 100+ large, V-shaped groups flying south & calling high overhead. And, about 75 Trumpeters in groups of 10-15 birds, which stay local, heading to their feeding grounds. In the yard, RB Nuthatches, BC Chickadees, DE Juncos & House Finches are hitting the sunflower seeds. All the while, 2 least chipmunks are busy gathering scattered seeds beneath the platform feeder.
First group of Tundra Swans I’ve heard this Fall was last night about 10 PM. Stepped out on back deck to see if a raccoon family was feeding under the platform feeder. Have a mom with 2 kits that comes in to feed on bird-scattered sunflower seeds. And, they were feeding away.
Turned to go back in house & heard the distinctive calls of Tundra Swans headed South. Came right overhead. Good-sized group by their calls. Couldn’t make them out, by sight, in the dark with overcast. But, a great night time sound! Should get more & more, over the next week or so.
Today, have found that there’s not just one, but two, Sharp-shinned Hawks working my platform feeder! The only birds brave enough to grab a seed are the Black-capped Chickadees & by a single visitor at a time. They must have some kind of pecking order, as they’re giving alarm calls the entire time, & appear to wait their turn before hitting the feeder. Certainly not going through as many sunflower seeds as usual!
Best bird today has been a single Chipping Sparrow that I came across this morning. A bit late by my recollection, as they’re usually one of the first sparrow arrivals in Spring & one the first Fall migrant sparrows through our area. Others today: Lesser Yellowlegs, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Raven, Black-billed Magpie & Canada Geese.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
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