This morning Amy & I found 2 individuals. Both were males. Long blackbird with glossy plumage showing iridescent blue about the head, thick-based bill, eye like Brewer’s. Long, curved tail. One was moving along the far shore on the east side, so not too far away. Then we saw another on the near shore; we had to make sure it wasn’t the other bird that had moved. This bird was a better view, it was making its way westwards along the near shore. Both birds flew short distances now and again.
I see no previous sightings of this species at Blacks.
My first W. Tanager showed up along the Boise Greenbelt today, and my first Bullock’s Oriole was yesterday. Yellow Warblers are out in force along the Boise River, as are Bewick’s Wrens. My first House Wren was about a week ago. It’s been years since I saw
a Canyon Wren along the river. Have yet to see or hear a BH Grosbeak. (Maybe tomorrow?)
At home, I’ve had BC Hummers off and on for the last week. First one arrived on Monday. Still not a regular visitor.
Had a rare Spring visitor this morning. Another cool, wet front arriving today, so went out to the woodpile to bring up some more firewood. And, scared up a Canyon Wren pushing through. Interestingly, the only place, here, I’ve ever seen them over the years is at our woodpile. And, probably no more than 3 or 4 times in the past.
More Black-headed Grosbeaks are arriving, as well as, Yellow Warblers. Did have an adult male Lazuli Bunting at the feeder a few days ago. Still waiting for Bullock’s Oriole & W Tanager.
Both Yellow & Yellow Yellow-rumped Warblers arrived en masse today. And, walked out on deck after most recent round of thunderstorms pushed thru & was met face-to-face by a male Black-chinned Hummingbird buzzing me to fill & out out the nectar feeder, lol! Did so & he was hitting it 5 minutes later!
Wow, Patty! That’s an impressive group of spring migrants. The bunting, oriole, warbler & grosbeaks haven’t found my feeders yet. But, good to know they’re in the area.
This AM, a group of Cedar Waxwings that have nested in a widrow of Rocky Mtn Junipers, I planted yrs ago, have been scoping out the trees. Funny how birds can get on the “wrong side” of another. A robin kept chasing only one particular waxwing through the trees! Lasted about 5 minutes. Don’t know what that waxwing did to upset the robin, but it was entertaining to watch.
Very late to the party but I’ll just quickly say that most of the reason we went out to Blacks Creek too look for the potential Pacific Golden – present 9-10 days ago – is because people like Cliff (IBLE) & Carter (on Facebook, has been seeing lots of Pacific in Hawaii) helped suggest this bird could be a Pacific in the first place! Thus, I was already pretty convinced it was Pacific, and some of the photos from earlier in the day on May 1 show the fieldmarks really well (i.e., ebird.org/checklist/S231624819& ebird.org/checklist/S231731944 but others too), so hearing the call was the icing on the cake for me.
Island Park is a little behind but I’ve been hearing Cassin’s
Finches, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers for the
past few days. The finches have probably been here for a while but
I only started hearing them recently. Tree Swallows have also
arrived and are claiming nest cavities. It’s hot up here and feels
like summer but we still have more arrivals to come.
Cliff
On 5/10/25 02:26PM, Bill Moore via
groups.io wrote:
We’ve got more migrants showing up. Calliope and
Broad Tailed hummers arrived, joining the BC. Numbers are
increasing and they’re working feeder now, not just a high speed
fly by. BG swallows showed yesterday and I just saw a Lazuli. GB
Heron down in stream. Kestrel working the back, now if they’d
just use house I put up.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom
On May 9, 2025, at 6:49 PM, lcarrigan_55
via groups.io <carriganbw@…> wrote:
There’s been a Spring push of birds through our place
today. Cassin’s Finches, Chipping Sparrows, Pine Siskins
& White-crowned Sparrows have all come through. At least
one Black-headed Grosbeak has arrived, as well as, a couple
of Red-naped Sapsuckers. No Black-chinned Hummingbirds, as
of yet.
I have 2 Wild Turkey hens coming in which feed on
scattered sunflower seeds from the platform feeder. And, as
soon as they show, a few hen Ring-necked Pheasants appear,
too. Both Tree & Violet-green Swallows are overhead.
We’ve got more migrants showing up. Calliope and Broad Tailed hummers arrived, joining the BC. Numbers are increasing and they’re working feeder now, not just a high speed fly by. BG swallows showed yesterday and I just saw a Lazuli. GB Heron down in stream. Kestrel working the back, now if they’d just use house I put up.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom
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