Yesterday evening (7/11/22, 7:30 pm), I got a picture of what I believe is a juvenile Blue Grosbeak about 1 mile up the Kinney Creek Trail near Pocatello. Couldn’t find it again this morning, but I will be trying one evening later this week.

Neat! It looks like a male Black-chinned Hummingbird to me. I think I can see the purple bar at the bottom of the otherwise black throat. Great capture! 😀

—
Aidan Lorenz
Caldwell

Wondering why there’s no nectar in this flower?
I.D.?? Broad-tail?
Idaho Falls. Bud Alford

Thanks Mark.

Cliff

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.

Cliff

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

There are two recent reports of up to six Purple Martins flying over Silver Lake in Harriman State Park. Just thought I’d give everyone a heads up…

Cliff

—
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@…