With all the ice and snow, we’ve been reluctant to bike. And since I long ago decided that I can’t count birds if I burn gas, hauling our bikes to the greenbelt was not an option. But finally the streets in the North End cleared up enough
to make it to the greenbelt on 2 wheels.

Yesterday was fine, an average day, but today was exceptional. The flyover by a Bald Eagle was a great welcome to Esther Simplot Park, but the Cackling Goose in the ditch next to Veterans Pond was incredible. I scan every flock of geese
for anyone different, but this is the first time I’ve found a Cackling Goose in several years.

Then, just past where the street Willow Lane hits the greenbelt, I saw a flock of angry BB Magpies. At first, I thought they were harassing a RT Hawk, but the bird turned out to be an immature Northern Goshawk, another bird I haven’t seen
along the greenbelt in several years. He was sitting high in a tree and the BBMA’s were making quite a ruckus.

So, by this time I can’t decide if I should just be happy that the bird gods have smiled on me or if I should expect something special. The answer came when I spotted an American Dipper working the rapids just upstream from Plantation Island.
Again, a bird that I’ve only seen on my regular route once before. I’ve looked for them by Diversion Dam, where RL sees them regularly, but they don’t seem to come down my way much.

Anyway, my second day out on a bike this year, and it was a truly great day. Final tally was 35 species in 10 miles and no frost bite.

Tom McCabe, Boise