Thanks for pointing that out. I just never thought of seeing a Loggerhead in winter, and it has been a few years since I last saw a Northern, and that was in Pennsylvania.
Re: Yellow-billed Loon
Thanks for the update Jason.
Re: Yellow-billed Loon
Both loons are present this morning at the same place Bell Rapids boat launch). It’s a little tricky with the fog but it’s burning off.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER and Harris’s Sparrow on the Clearwater River near Lewiston
I participated in today’s Lewiston-Clarkston CBC, covering the north side of the Clearwater River from Memorial Bridge to the eastern edge of the circle near Spalding. My highlight was a shocking DUSKY FLYCATCHER at the Upper Hog Island Boat Ramp: https://ebird.org/checklist/S77758521. There is only one previous winter record of this species in eBird for the northwestern US north of California, one that I found nearby (at Mann Lake) on Thanksgiving 2018 and that lingered until early December. Other highlights in my territory included a HARRIS’S SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at nearby Goose Pasture Habitat Management Unit: https://ebird.org/checklist/S77758548.
Good Birding,
Carl Lundblad
Moscow, Idaho
Re: Northern Shrike
Hi Alan
Very cool – shrikes are some of the coolest birds! This actually looks like a Loggerhead Shrike (most migrate away for the winter but this area usually has at least a few all winter) based on the smaller and less-hooked beak, the black mask that fully encompasses the eye, and the darker gray color.
Jay
Yellow-billed Loon
Was found on the Hagerman CBC by Lauren Brock
https://ebird.org/checklist/S77763035
Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho
Northern Shrike
Saw this bird just before noon along Idaho Hwy. 51 south of Mountain Home, Elmore County. Was 4 miles or so south of Bruneau, Owyhee County.
— Alan Gregory
Mountain Home
Nampa CBC unofficial results
We finished up today with 105 total species including 4 count week species.
We had a fantastic group of people out beating the bushes for birds. Thank you for your tremendous effort.
The rarest bird seen today was a Brant that was seen in the Caldwell area; Jay, Carter and Lucien found the bird near Caldwell ponds. (If you go looking for the bird please note that Caldwell ponds and the berms around the on are off limits to the public.). The Brant was seen with a large flock of Canada Geese.
We did have a few misses: Western Screech Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Evening Grosbeak and Rock and Canyon Wrens. If you happen to be out in the area of the Nampa count circle and see these species please let me or Cheryl know. Our count week ends on Tuesday.
Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho
Re: Probable Brant in Caldwell
Hi all,,
I refound the bird this evening at 17:25. I once again had distant and brief views but the lighting was better. I got good looks this and am definitely comfortable calling this a Brant. The bird lacked any white in the face and had a very dark (black) body.
I resighted it still north of the highway but just east of pond lane flying with Canada Geese.
-Carter
Probable Brant in Caldwell
Quick note bc we’re still counting but …
During the Nampa/Caldwell CBC ~855 this AM, Carter, Lucian, & I saw a tiny, dark goose (no white seen on face but wish we were closer) in flight with Canadas & we’re 99% sure it was a Brant. The birds flew N over hwy 20 @ ~Farmway Rd. We’ll be watching towards sunset in case it returns to roost (not sure where this is, presumably along or near the river) via the same route.
If you go looking in this area, BE AWARE that Caldwell Ponds has apparently changed ownership & is fenced off. Thus, we were not especially welcome along Pond Lane this morning.