We have had a flock of about 10 Red Crossbill’s hitting our feeders for the last week. Yesterday I decided the feeders were getting a little low so went out to the garage and got the seed bucket and started walking into the front yard. Most all the birds flushed but not the Crossbill’s feeding on the feeder. I slowly walked right up to 4 of them. One of them was on a metal branch on the feeder stand without access to any seeds so I slowly took a scoop of the seeds and raised it up to the Crossbill and he just sat there and ate out of the scoop until my arm got tired. I am amazed that wild birds could be so approachable.
I was curious if anyone else had experienced anything like this with them before and if that was a common trait they exhibit.
Have found a Swainson’s Thrush & an Empid that wasn’t calling & most likely, for here, was a Dusky Flycatcher, but was wagging tail “downward” which Sibley’s indicates would be a Gray. Unfortunately, wasn’t calling. Rounded head, grayish overall with no olive or yellowish & indistinct upper wing bar. Was flycatching just above our coldwater, spring channel that leads to the Snake River & lined with sandbar willows & narrowleaf cottonwoods. Mainly staying at about a 4-5′ level.
No sighting of the RB Grosbeak today, but plenty of BH Grosbeaks, Lazuli Buntings & House Finches. A pair of Black-chinned Hummingbirds is hitting the nectar feeder. Believe the female is nest-building in the blue spruce on west side of house. One, lone Pine Siskin to the thistle feeder yesterday evening, but the large numbers are gone. Yellow Warblers are numerous.
Dry lake area. pond big foot rd. 4cinn teals one shovler blk neck stilts two pond on Dearborn 5 ” ” “2 cinnamon teals 1 spotted sandpiper this guy looks like gadwall?
I just received a report that two Snowy Plovers were found at Indian Creek Reservoir today. I thought I’d pass it along in case anyone wants to chase them. Good luck.
Cliff
— Cliff and Lisa Weisse Island Park, Idaho cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com
I don’t have any Rose-breasted Grosbeak sightings to add, but I find it interesting that I am still seeing/hearing Pine Siskins, I found a large flock of Evening Grosbeaks today, as well as Western Tanagers for the last 3 days. Plus, I had my first Western Wood Pewee yesterday, and I’ve enjoyed at least 40 species each of the last 3 days, even in the pouring rain today. Gotta love migration. You never know who’s around the next bend. 😉
