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Dry Lakes shorebirds and possible Arctic Tern at Lake Lowell (Canyon Co.)

has some GREAT-looking mudflats – nothing rare but we found almost 150 individuals of 8 shorebird species plus over 700 gulls loafing.  I know this has been mentioned earlier in the season but definitely worth checking all month as shorebird migration continues.
We then made a stop at the lower damn at Lake Lowell.  At first no terns were in view but then a group of 12 smaller terns appeared & fed along the middle of the damn – ~50-200+ yards out – for 20+ minutes before heading back N towards the NW corner (no great viewing spots there).  The wind was already getting nutty so scoping wasn’t possible, nor getting a pic, but most that we could see well were Common Terns and 1 struck me as a possible Arctic.  I was able to pick it out multiple times due to it’s small/short beak and I also saw the narrow trailing edge to the underside of the outer primaries and the darker carpal bar on the upper wing.  I just could never see enough of it to be sure.  Hopefully they’re still putting on a show tomorrow (cooler weather & less wind)!
Jay
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Kettle of Swainson’s

Sudden weather change, from 82° to 45° in about 45 min, along with 65 mph wind gusts, has brought a sight to our Snake River property I’ve only seen one other time about 25 yrs ago. A large kettle of approx 200 Swainson’s Hawks was soaring overhead & hawks suddenly started dropping into the cottonwoods on our place. Trees have 6-8 Swainson’s in them all through our Riparian Ground. I have 8-10″ diam tree limbs down all over, so too dangerous to head out for photos. But, quite a sight through the binocs scanning trees.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

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Flush of Fall Migrants

With the change in weather arriving today, thought I might find some migrating warblers. As soon as the sun was high enough to hit the trees, got outside. Found: Orange-crowned Warblers (maybe a family group, 6 juv & a few adults traveling together), 1 Nashville Warbler, 1 YR Warbler, 1 MacGillivray’s Warbler, numerous Wilson’s Warblers, RC Kinglet, juv Chipping Sparrows, House Wrens & 1 Townsend’s Solitaire. Also, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, RB Nuthatch & a juv Spotted Towhee, just getting its adult plumage, with the two-tone wings.
 
Best bird was down along the Snake River. I saw a dark bird diving on a calling Caspian Tern. An immature Peregrine Falcon, harassing the Caspian over & over, flying up & downstream. The falcon finally, broke off & headed downriver. A good morning!

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

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