Paul … I understood your directions perfectly but then I had been at that spot when you were there before 🙂
On Nov 18, 2021, at 10:53 AM, Paul GRABE <grapeape1041@…> wrote:
My checklist #S97722532 has my track map attached.Â
Sorry for the confusion – R.L. called me and I explained my thinking on directions, which worked in my mind, but didn’t make sense to others.
From the upper south parking lot (with restroom) walk north on the trail and turn right (east) before crossing Elmer’s Creek (dry wash) and walk on the path between the willows and the cut bank.  You’ll come to a bench of dirt which juts out from the cut bank with a broken 2 x 4 on top; this is where I sit to scope the eastern portion of Reserve, there used to be two 2 x 6’s, but they disappeared last year.  It’s my makeshift handicap bench.
I would guess the board bench Paul is referring to is just below the cut bank to the east of the path leading down from the main parking lot to the dry wash. Paul and I ran into each other there last year and I saw and photographed my first Common Redpoll’s very close to that board bench.
On Nov 17, 2021, at 7:59 PM, Robert Kiernan <photobirder@…> wrote:
I don’t remember a bench that you mention where in relation to main. Parking area its been awhile since I have been thereÂ
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
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
This morning they were more in the middle. Had a few flyovers and then 6 of them landed right in front of me in some bushes on the other side of the main canal (further north than the one Paul is talking about). They flew to the NE corner after that, and I think I had a flock fly over me in the parking lot before I left. Also had a Northern Shrike, and 10+ American Tree Sparrows. Not much in the reservoir besides some Mallards and Canada Geese.
My checklist #S97722532 has my track map attached.Â
Sorry for the confusion – R.L. called me and I explained my thinking on directions, which worked in my mind, but didn’t make sense to others.
From the upper south parking lot (with restroom) walk north on the trail and turn right (east) before crossing Elmer’s Creek (dry wash) and walk on the path between the willows and the cut bank.  You’ll come to a bench of dirt which juts out from the cut bank with a broken 2 x 4 on top; this is where I sit to scope the eastern portion of Reserve, there used to be two 2 x 6’s, but they disappeared last year.  It’s my makeshift handicap bench.
I would guess the board bench Paul is referring to is just below the cut bank to the east of the path leading down from the main parking lot to the dry wash. Paul and I ran into each other there last year and I saw and photographed my first Common Redpoll’s very close to that board bench.
On Nov 17, 2021, at 7:59 PM, Robert Kiernan <photobirder@…> wrote:
I don’t remember a bench that you mention where in relation to main. Parking area its been awhile since I have been thereÂ
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
Blacks Creek Bird Reserve – found the flock of Common Redpolls (seven) and also two American Tree Sparrows with White-crowned Sparrows and House Finches. I stayed seated on the broken board bench and the flock came within fifteen feet of me.Â
Lake lowell 9:30 this a m cold& blustery day w.end by outlet tower red neck grebes red breasted. Mergansers east end by boat ramp 15 n.shovlers fly by comm.golden eye comm.mergansers
Attached is a brochure (Bird Watching Tour), with a map of Lake Lowell. Â I believe this document is 10+ years old, but I suspect the basics are still accurate. Â On the maps the reference to “Access” is where the various numbered parking lots exist where you can get out and explore the southern reaches of the lake.
When I got back to Esther Simplot Park today, I went to the “back pond,” which is the one closest to State St. It’s north of Veteran’s Pond and north of the ditch that runs along that pond. On the back pond were 2 groups of Canada Geese
and between them was a very noisy different goose. From the neck up, it resembles a Barnacle Goose, with some slight variance. From the neck down, it looks like a Canada Goose. I tried not to disturb the raft of geese, since they looked like they were transients
and not locals.
Larry and Missy Arnold went out and scoped the bird, and he also thought Barnacle x Canada, but not perfect, because he thought the bill was too light.
Anyway, chase it if you want, and if you get some good photos, please share.
Tom McCabe, Boise
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
