The shallow wetlands in the Marsh Valley, Portneuf River Valley and Swan
Lake areas of Bannock County are thawed out and providing superb habitat
for migrant waterfowl and even a few shorebirds right now. The large pond
at Swan Lake Slough was mostly frozen yesterday, but there were many
Canvasbacks and a sprinkling of Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American
Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, and American Coot. The big numbers were in the
upper reaches of Oxford Slough and adjacent playas where I counted over 700
Northern Pintail, close to 200 Green-winged Teal and 18 Sandhill Cranes. I
found my 1st Cinnamon Teal of the year as well as 2 early American Avocet
and 2 Long-billed Curlew. I thought I was hearing things when the first
curlew called. It seemed to be very close to my car, but I never did see
it. How could I not be able to get my eyes on such a large bird that
sounded so close!?! When it called a second and third time, I switched
thoughts from thinking I was delusional to appreciating that their powers
of remaining out of sight are better than I realized. Interestingly, the
scenario repeated itself when I stopped at another location a couple miles
down the road!

A surprise to me was the lack of swans. I found three groups of 2-6
Trumpeter Swans, but no Tundra Swans at all. It seemed like the perfect
time and habitat conditions. Perhaps the Tundras are still at Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge.

Other migrants included almost 60 Mountain Bluebirds moving in a wave
across a large pasture and hayfield at Oxford Slough, Turkey Vulture flying
over Chubbuck, several singing Western Meadowlark at several locations, and
Yellow-headed Blackbirds singing at Swan Lake Slough. A couple Marsh Wrens
were singing vociferously at Oxford Slough, but I believe these birds
over-wintered. The Pine Siskins have all but disappeared from my feeders
in Chubbuck.

Steven F. Kahl
Deputy Project Leader
Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex
4425 Burley Dr., Ste. A
Chubbuck, ID 83202
C (208) 252-0805
P (208) 237-6615 ext 112
F (208) 237-8213

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