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Birds And Us


Once the weather turns and you want to curl up with a good book, try “Birds And Us” by Tim Birkhead. He’s an ornithologist and author, and he goes all the way back to cave paintings from several thousand years ago to illustrate how birds
have been part of the human condition. He has a section of illustrations, including the cave art, through the Egyptians and other early civilizations, right up to the present. While I’ve been birding off and on for over 50 years, I learned a lot that would
have been helpful when I first got started. The Boise Public Library has a copy, which I’ve now returned. 😉

On a separate note, I found my first Hooded Merganser of the season yesterday, at Veterans Pond. Ruddy Ducks have been making occasional appearances at Quinn’s Pond (accompanied by a GW Teal one day), and a pair
of Buffleheads showed up at Silver Lake. I’m not hearing as many YR Warblers as a few days ago, but today we had 4 DE Juncos in the back yard. A single had arrived a few days ago, but today was the first group gathering. I’m still waiting for my first Pine
Siskin.

Tom McCabe, Boise

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Re: American Pipits

FWIW, I’ve been seeing lots of American Pipits in Island Park
this week, mostly out in Sagebrush habitat and away from water
where I usually see them in fall. Maybe that’s because I’m usually
around water fishing and I’ve been spending more time in drier
habitats this year but it still seems like there are a lot around.

Cliff

On 10/15/22 08:32AM, lcarrigan_55
wrote:


Appears the Warblers are done for Fall. Had about 2 wks of
consistent Yellow-rumped Warblers (Audubons) come thru the
cottonwoods, in groups of 10-12 birds. Last group I saw was Thu.
Did have half dozen RC Kinglets come thru yest. Sadly, thru my
place, Fall warbler migration is down by >50% over just 4-5 yrs
ago. 

Since Thu, have seen WC & WT Sparrows, including a couple of
tan-striped. Best birds were yest, when went down to the Snake to
fly-fish. Saw 6 American Pipits working just along the edge of the
gravel, that was still muddy, & recently exposed from dropping
water levels. Been yrs since I’d seen any. 

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot 

-- 
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@...
Listserv Posts

American Pipits

Appears the Warblers are done for Fall. Had about 2 wks of consistent Yellow-rumped Warblers (Audubons) come thru the cottonwoods, in groups of 10-12 birds. Last group I saw was Thu. Did have half dozen RC Kinglets come thru yest. Sadly, thru my place, Fall warbler migration is down by >50% over just 4-5 yrs ago. 

Since Thu, have seen WC & WT Sparrows, including a couple of tan-striped. Best birds were yest, when went down to the Snake to fly-fish. Saw 6 American Pipits working just along the edge of the gravel, that was still muddy, & recently exposed from dropping water levels. Been yrs since I’d seen any. 

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot 

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Possible continuing Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Thornock Rd Ponds near Emmett

Hi all,

This afternoon I stopped by the ponds where Peter and Katie originally found the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. I am fairly certain I photographed the bird at the second pond north of Highway 52. I’ve sent them to ebird reviewer for assistance. The bird was with a group of Long-billed Dowitchers. Bird had very rufous cap, warm coloring, bold supercillium, base of bill was yellowish/orange with dark tip. Breast seemed smooth and warm with light streaking and no definitive edge to bib. At the time I got best views and photos there were no Pectoral present for comparison. While messing with digiscope attempts the bird disappeared – likely just behind rocks. 
If you are out in the part of the world this weekend – definitely worth looking. Just know that because of the rocks and plants you might need to give it some time for the birds to “show” themselves 😉
Here is my checklist. I will add my poor quality photos after more review and after discussing with reviewer.
Danette Henderson
Boise
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Re: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Gem County

David,

Apologies, I don’t think it was shared to IBLE (it was posted on eBird and Facebook). Katie Sorenson and I found a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Sunday afternoon at the Thornock Ponds in Gem county, just outside of Emmett. Carter Strope and Liz Medes saw it a few hours later, but other attempts have not had luck refinding the bird.
My eBird checklist with details: https://ebird.org/checklist/S120343473
Peter

Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee

Idaho Birds