On Sep 19, 2022, at 8:44 AM, Denise Hughes <deniseh449@…> wrote:
Cheryl and party just saw the Ruff at the Bruneau Duck ponds. Currently near the nw corner.
Denise Hughes Caldwell, Idaho
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
Thank you, as well, Nancy! Today, have seen YR Warblers, Orange-crowned, Wilson’s & 1 Nashville Warbler. Townsend’s a few days ago. Sev Gray Catbirds, always working along creekside understory & never more than 8′ off the ground. Find them by their sound. But, if hadn’t read your note, would still be wondering what the trim gray bird I saw was…a Townsend’s Solitaire. They winter in our Snake River Bottoms, but unusual to see any quite this early.
We always have chickadees and nuthatches here, but they did seem to be especially noisy and active today when a small flock of warblers, kinglets and vireo came thru – some were in the willows and shrubs but most were in the hawthorns and near the water features. Unfortunately, before I got photos or as many ids as I would have liked, a horde of robins came in to the hawthorns and water features and seemed intent on harassing the smaller birds which then dispersed. I for sure identified YRWA (A) immature and mature, a Townsend’s Warbler (first sighting this year), Cassin’s Vireo and multiple ruby-crowned kinglets. Chipping Sparrows, downy woodpeckers, an Anna’s hummingbird also. We still have 2 or 3 Townsend’s Solitaire each day. The Anna’s has been around a few days but is seen very rarely. Some White-crowned Sparrows were with a group of small birds yesterday.
I remember seeing a Ring-billed Gull in a Russian Olive and
eating olives at Wilson Spring Ponds years ago. It struck me as
unusual at the time but apparently that wasn’t a one off
observation.
Cliff
On 9/18/22 11:42AM, John Shortis via
groups.io wrote:
Hi Birders,
Yesterday, Amy Bechtel &
I were at Jack’s Creek. It was very windy, so a lot of birds
hunkered down.
A group of Ring-billed Gulls
seem to be taking advantage of the strong winds by almost
appearing to perch on the tops of the Russian Olives to pick
off the olives.
Yesterday, Amy Bechtel & I were at Jack’s Creek. It was very windy, so a lot of birds hunkered down.
A group of Ring-billed Gulls seem to be taking advantage of the strong winds by almost appearing to perch on the tops of the Russian Olives to pick off the olives.
The same seems to be true for Mountain Chickadee. Whenever I hear
chickadees and nuthatches I check to see if there are warblers
moving through the area with them. Often there are at this time of
year.
Cliff
On 9/18/22 09:57AM, lcarrigan_55 wrote:
Not often, anymore, get a new “yard” bird on our place. And,
although not necessarily uncommon for ID, found a Nashville
Warbler this AM, working thru cottonwoods. Yard bird #179, only
“List” I keep these days.
Overall, Fall migration numbers are down by at least 50%, compared
to numbers I would see in 1980s. Unfortunately, Audubon data bears
this out, as well. So, I’m using whatever resources I can to
locate Fall Warblers. Mentioned this yrs ago on IBLE, &
studies confirm, but bears repeating. Have found that BC
Chickadees serve as “guide” birds to the migrating songbirds.
Believe it’s more of a “survival technique”. Whenever I hear BC
Chickadees loudly calling, I rush to the area & find a group
of fall migrants working thru the willows & cottonwoods. Think
it’s more, “Come this way, eat a few bugs & then get going, as
that’s our Winter food supply”. Whatever the reason, tends to work
without fail during the Fall.
Not often, anymore, get a new “yard” bird on our place. And, although not necessarily uncommon for ID, found a Nashville Warbler this AM, working thru cottonwoods. Yard bird #179, only “List” I keep these days.
Overall, Fall migration numbers are down by at least 50%, compared to numbers I would see in 1980s. Unfortunately, Audubon data bears this out, as well. So, I’m using whatever resources I can to locate Fall Warblers. Mentioned this yrs ago on IBLE, & studies confirm, but bears repeating. Have found that BC Chickadees serve as “guide” birds to the migrating songbirds. Believe it’s more of a “survival technique”. Whenever I hear BC Chickadees loudly calling, I rush to the area & find a group of fall migrants working thru the willows & cottonwoods. Think it’s more, “Come this way, eat a few bugs & then get going, as that’s our Winter food supply”. Whatever the reason, tends to work without fail during the Fall.
How exciting it would be to see that huge kettle of Swainson’s Hawks! Last fall a group of us birders saw Vultures streaming along a ridge in Boise near Discovery Park. That was great to witness, but your Swanson kettle would be truly awesome.
Recent birding at a small local nature preserve provided sightings of Gray Catbirds, Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanagers, a Warbling Vireo and other nice surprises. It’s a good time to go birding.
Diann Stone
Boise Depot Bench
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
