Steplar’s Jay should be no problem. Finches are mostly gone from the McCall are however there is a birder near there who may still have a white throated sparrow at his feeders. Some places near McCall’s are: Stonebraker Lane s or Donnelly, Cascade and Payette Lakes, the McCall sewage ponds, local feeders, driving Farm to Market road, Lick Creek and East Side roads. PM or text me for the sparrow access.

Thank you! I might have got myself confused – but I know the nearest town where we’ll be staying is McCall.

Bugs and insects!!

Could you be more specific about where you will be? It would help in identifying what hotspots might be useful to you. Northern Cardinals do not occur in Idaho and Snowy Owls are extremely rare, more likely to be found in the Panhandle of Idaho near the Canadian border.

If you mean Boise instead of Boise County, the Nampa Christmas Bird Count is December 27. Boise is in Ada County. Nampa is in Canyon County.

Hello!

I’m from the UK, but visiting my wife’s family in the USA over Christmas and New Year, and we’ll be spending some time in Boise county (near McCall). I’m not sure how much time I’ll have, but I’m hoping to do a little bit of birdwatching to see if I can see something a bit different from the birds we get over here!
I’m wondering if anyone can recommend any good hotspots where I might be able to see some interesting local birds and animals – as well as what kinds of birds I might expect to see while I’m there? It’s quite hard to orient yourself when you’re not used to a place.

From a quick google, I think I’d be excited to see American Goldfinch, House Finch, Evening and Pine Grosbeak, White Throated and White Crowned Sparrows, Bufflehead, Snow Goose, Stellar’s Jay, Great Horned Owl – these would all be lifers for me! I’d also love chances to get photos of Bald Eagles and Northern Cardinals.

I’d also love to see a Snowy Owl and a Great Grey Owl, but I understand these would be really rare that far south.

But any other tips on birds, places – or even any bird watching events in the area between the 23rd and 30th December – that would be really appreciated!
Thank you so much in advance,
Mike