The July/August 2022 issue of The Atlantic (available online or Apple News) has a vey interesting article entitled How Animals Perceive The World that relies in part on research by scientists affiliated with Boise State University, including IBO’s Heidi Ware Carlisle.
FWIW, I spent about an hour and a half last night and again this morning at Silver Lake and did not find any Purple Martins. Most of the swallows were pretty high but the light was good today and I could easily identify them even at the furthest distance of observation. It might be worth taking a look from time to time but I won’t be able to get there again for three or four days. As a consolation the Red-necked Grebes are present and were calling last night and I heard a Virginia Rail call several times at dusk.
Yes, I saw them on June 19, didn’t realize they are rare there. I saw them over Silver Lake in the park.
In my travels over the last month, it seems like a good year for Purple Martin in the west.
Mark Stackhouse westwings@… from Mexico: 01-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit) 001-801-518-5618 (cellular – U.S. and Mexico) from U.S. 011-52-323-285-1243 or 1-801-518-5618
John, I was there about 10 days ago. Two guys from IDFG were there working on the area. The water was intentionally drained as they are restructuring the base. It will be refilled as soon as the project is completed.