Re: Pileated Woodpecker near Ashton
The current one as the Northwest burns as the world heats up is that all the bird sounds are the same cough cough cough.
On Aug 9, 2026, at 6:26 AM, Richard and Ann Rusnak via groups.io <rarusnak62@…> wrote:
Indeed, there are fascinating and tragic wildlife movements occurring across the continent, forced by a rapidly changing climate and the cascade of its effects. One wonders if the PIWO’s are following beetle and drought killed forestry changes? Adapt or perish, the constant burden of all life on this little blue orb. Abhorrently, now humans have created a run away locomotive of innumerable change. Simultaneously a fascinating and depressing time to be alive.eBird is an invaluable project, in regard to documenting these changes, as we are all well aware.Does anyone else have similar observations from your years of observations and documentations?It would be fun to hear more of these 1st hand experiences from the community.Cheers, RichBoise/Valley Co.<IMG_4696.jpeg>
On Aug 8, 2026, at 21:32, Ken Miracle via groups.io <chukar28@…> wrote:
Pileated have been in the Wood River Valley riparian for at least the last 10 years. They were my nemesis for some time. I finally went up and saw them for the first time when I knew what I was seeing at Ponderosa State Park. Shortly after being surrounded by mom dad and the kids at Ponderosa I had one fly over my head and land in a tree at the Intermountain Bird Observatory Lucky Peak banding station Now I see and hear them quite frequently all along the Boise Front and they are regulars at IBO Lucky Peak. There have been a few unconfirmed sightings in the last couple of years along the Boise River upstream from the start of the Bethine Church River Trail upstream to Lucky Peak Dam. Last year I heard one at Barber Park but could not find it.
On Aug 8, 2026, at 7:17 PM, Cliff Weisse via groups.io <cliffandlisa@…> wrote:
A couple days ago I was stuck at a road construction site on US 20 @ Ashton Hill, about five miles north of Ashton and Pileated Woodpecker flew across the road and landed in a tree it started hammering on. This is by far the furthest south I’ve seen one in eastern Idaho. For whatever reason they have moved into the Centennial Mountains along the Idaho/Montana border (as well as the Gallatin valley and Bozeman, MT area). Maybe they’re going to start showing up in riparian areas in the upper Snake River Valley? Time will tell.Cliff
—
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@…Ken Miracle
chukar28@…
208-570-2780
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5
Ken Miracle
chukar28@…
208-570-2780
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5
chukar28@…
208-570-2780
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5
Re: Pileated Woodpecker near Ashton
Indeed, there are fascinating and tragic wildlife movements occurring across the continent, forced by a rapidly changing climate and the cascade of its effects. One wonders if the PIWO’s are following beetle and drought killed forestry changes? Adapt or perish, the constant burden of all life on this little blue orb. Abhorrently, now humans have created a run away locomotive of innumerable change. Simultaneously a fascinating and depressing time to be alive.
eBird is an invaluable project, in regard to documenting these changes, as we are all well aware.
Does anyone else have similar observations from your years of observations and documentations?
It would be fun to hear more of these 1st hand experiences from the community.
Cheers, Rich
Boise/Valley Co.
Re: Pileated Woodpecker near Ashton
Pileated have been in the Wood River Valley riparian for at least the last 10 years. They were my nemesis for some time. I finally went up and saw them for the first time when I knew what I was seeing at Ponderosa State Park. Shortly after being surrounded by mom dad and the kids at Ponderosa I had one fly over my head and land in a tree at the Intermountain Bird Observatory Lucky Peak banding station Now I see and hear them quite frequently all along the Boise Front and they are regulars at IBO Lucky Peak. There have been a few unconfirmed sightings in the last couple of years along the Boise River upstream from the start of the Bethine Church River Trail upstream to Lucky Peak Dam. Last year I heard one at Barber Park but could not find it.
On Aug 8, 2026, at 7:17 PM, Cliff Weisse via groups.io <cliffandlisa@…> wrote:
A couple days ago I was stuck at a road construction site on US 20 @ Ashton Hill, about five miles north of Ashton and Pileated Woodpecker flew across the road and landed in a tree it started hammering on. This is by far the furthest south I’ve seen one in eastern Idaho. For whatever reason they have moved into the Centennial Mountains along the Idaho/Montana border (as well as the Gallatin valley and Bozeman, MT area). Maybe they’re going to start showing up in riparian areas in the upper Snake River Valley? Time will tell.Cliff
—
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@…
Ken Miracle
chukar28@…
208-570-2780
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5
chukar28@…
208-570-2780
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5
Re: Pileated Woodpecker near Ashton
I rarely post here because I live in Oregon but I’ll second Cliff’s observation. I was visiting my parents in Bozeman at our family home and a pileated flew into a beech tree and started hammering away until the resident black billed magpies chased it off. My mom got to see it which was great. She’ll be a birder yet! They seem to have become somewhat common there just what I’ve noticed in eBird lists although that was the first one I’ve seen in Montana.
Chris
Bend OR
On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 6:17 PM Cliff Weisse via groups.io <cliffandlisa=octobersetters.com@groups.io> wrote:
Pileated Woodpecker near Ashton
A couple days ago I was stuck at a road construction site on US 20 @ Ashton Hill, about five miles north of Ashton and Pileated Woodpecker flew across the road and landed in a tree it started hammering on. This is by far the furthest south I’ve seen one in eastern Idaho. For whatever reason they have moved into the Centennial Mountains along the Idaho/Montana border (as well as the Gallatin valley and Bozeman, MT area). Maybe they’re going to start showing up in riparian areas in the upper Snake River Valley? Time will tell.
Cliff
—
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@…
Re: Hoot Owl Hummers
You’re definitely on the Hummingbird Highway, Bill! Along the Snake, I don’t have near the hummer numbers. Birds taking about 6 oz total nectar/day with adult male & female Rufous coming in & Black-chinneds, again adult males & females & a few juveniles.
But, making up for it with the Black-headed Grosbeaks! Going through ~4 lb of black oil sunflower seeds daily with as many as 10 at the platform feeder & 6-8 waiting in the trees. Males, females & juveniles. Seems to be a bumper crop of young, this season.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Re: Hoot Owl Hummers
Interesting report to read. I’m impressed with 300 hummers! Sandhill Cranes are special to me, so i’m glad the colt has grown tp accompany the parents in flight.
Diann Stone – Boise Depot Bench
Hoot Owl Hummers
I’ve got three four cup hummer feeders up and we’re going through about 1.5 per day lately, about 45 cups sugar total consumed. By energy balance that’s about 300 hummers feeding here. You’re welcome birds. I’ve seen a few rufous and pretty sure I have all four local species. Lots of females and juvies which are work to ID I don’t do. Mostly BH and not many calliope.
There are many BH Grosbeaks at sunflower feeder. I think they are on second brood as I saw a smaller one begging this morning.
Local Sandhills did a good job hiding their colt, which is now fledged and flying with it’s larger adults.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl Rd
Inkom I’d
Re: Female Rufous Hummingbird
Just got my first male Rufous Hummingbird of the season hitting the nectar feeder, this past hour. I’m thinking the heat, dry conditions & wildfires in the hills are starting to push some into the river valleys.
Also, have at minimum 10 adult male & 6 female Black-headed Grosbeaks hitting the seeds at any one time. Juveniles should start showing soon. An adult male Lazuli Bunting appears sev times a day, as well.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Re: Female Rufous Hummingbird
A male rufous arrived today. I hope all the others enjoyed the relative comity at the feeders.