On my weekly ride to the west end of the greenbelt, I was fortunate enough to see a total of 7 raptors: Osprey, RT Hawk, Bald Eagle, GH Owl, N Harrier (skirmishing with a pair of RT Hawks), A Kestrel, and Cooper’s Hawk (who almost hit me as I rode up 23rd St). Then, while eating a late lunch, Susan called me outside because of the Swainson’s Hawk flying above our neighborhood, and later we found a pair of WS Owls on our evening walk. Nine raptors in one day may be a record for me, but, hey, who’s counting?
Final tally for the day was 52 species in a little under 23 miles.
While driving to my home last Saturday, I noticed a hummingbird in the top of a tree. My family could tell I was excited and couldn’t believe I saw it when I pointed it out to them. I raced home within a block to get my binoculars and returned to eventually find an adult female Anna’s Hummingbird. As I watched it, I noticed it went into a tree so I followed it from the street. I could see that it landed on a nest. I was so excited! I wasn’t sure if we had documentation of nesting in Idaho for this species. I contacted Heidi C. and she told me that I had the 5th documented nest sighting in Idaho. The first one being found July 2020. She pointed me to this website:
Here’s the checklist today (3 days after fledging) with audio of fledgling calling and diagnostic photos in a tree 40 yards away from the nest: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86038324
The highlights at this expansive wetland for me today included American Avocets and Long-billed Curlew. Starlings have taken over many of the American Kestrel nest boxes placed along the marsh access roads.
Alan Gregory in Mountain Home
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Alan C Gregory Lt. Col., USAF, Ret. Mountain Home, ID Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association, life member
