Steven, awesome find, pls tie down that plover because I think Steve Butterworth needs it for the state? yes?
what a great birding place that is =)
a few yrs ago we had yummylicious mud over here at Bruneau, a rare thing in spring apparently??
for some reason i feel talkative today
Heidi, thx for speaking with Missy, ja? oui? si? i couldn’t do it
From: “‘Kahl, Steve’ Steve_Kahl@fws.gov [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2019 9:25:06 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Snowy Plover – Oxford Slough
I was fortunate to find a snowy plover in Bannock County yesterday. There is a large alkaline playa at the upper reaches of Oxford Slough, southeast of the intersection of Oxford and Coulam Roads. The bird was at the north end.
Interestingly, I have been drooling over this playa all spring because of extensive mud/wet sand flats. It was superb for waterfowl back in late March and early April, but has largely been disappointing for shorebirds. I was hoping for lots of stilts, long-billed dowitchers, and maybe a peep or two. But when I arrived it only harbored 1 killdeer, 1 American avocet, and 4 Wilson’s phalaropes. I was scanning it a 3rd time in disbelief that it was so empty when the plover flew in. I took notice of it right away as something that could be interesting because of it’s overall small size and light coloration. Wasn’t expecting this species though!
Other noteworthy sightings include a steady stream of hundreds of white-faced ibis flying back and forth out of their nesting colony at Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area, out toward Swan Lake Slough and Marsh Valley. Displaying and calling long-billed curlews, willets, and Wilson’s snipe were a treat to enjoy. There was also a daytime short-eared owl along Coulam Road and a great-tailed grackle at Swan Lake Slough.
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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