Hi Birders and apologies for the late report.

I birded and explored Benewah, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties this last
rainy weekend. The first major surprise was a very late female
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER at Chatcolet Marina (Heyburn SP) on Saturday
morning. 1-2 CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were spotted during a particularly
heavy downpour on the Prairie Trail in Rathdrum, between Huetter and Atlas
Roads (closer to Atlas), where they were in 2016, with a Western Kingbird.
3 CASPIAN TERNS were at the Coeur d’alene River delta near Harrison. A
Virginia Rail was at Hell’s Gulch Flat (Goosehaven Lake Road), west of St.
Maries.

Saturday evening and Sunday, I explored the St. Joe River from St. Maries
to the end of the road at the Spruce Tree Campground. Along the Benewah
County portion of the St. Joe River Road, I had locally-produced broods of
BUFFLEHEADS and Hooded Mergansers (another brood of the Mergansers were in
DeSmet, earlier) with another VIRGINIA RAIL and a PEREGRINE FALCON. The
Shadowy St Joe River was a delight with easy to find RED-EYED VIREOS,
AMERICAN REDSTARTS, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES (these specialties were seen
at numerous other stops, as well).

Sunday, constantly fluctuating rain continued all day on the Upper St. Joe,
but was often light enough to still permit productive birding. Expected
breeding birds were well represented including some Wilson’s Warblers in
suitable breeding habitat above Red Ives Ranger Station. 2 cooperative
male BOBOLINKS were south of the river on the road into Calder.

A fun soggy time was had by all. More details on eBird.

Good Birding,

Carl Lundblad,
Moscow, ID