eBird Checklist – 30 Jun 2020 – 83262, Pingree US-ID 43.03056, -112.64353 – 35 species (+1 other taxa)
By Jay Carlisle
Submitted by Jay Carlisle.
A torturous one here… I’m helping the Intermountain Bird Observatory YB Cuckoo survey crew and last night ~815pm we were on McTucker Island when I saw a medium-sized tern with a thick black bill flew by heading downriver towards the reservoir. More description in this eBird list – I have it under “tern sp.” as I’m struggling to believe it myself but I can’t make it into any other tern species 🤔🤔. Back on McTucker now & just had 3 Forster’s – a very different look & build.
I’ll plan to look above and below the dam tomorrow after surveys and before heading back to Boise & figured I’d post this looooong shot for anyone birding the area to keep their eyes peeled.
Based on plumage, it was most similar to a non-breeding adult in Sibley – only some small dark “ear” patches, not a full black cap.
Well, with continuous bands of rain pushing through & releases from Palisades muddying up my fly-fishing prospect, have been reading & watching the hummingbird feeder. And, no doubt, southward Rufous migration is in full force. Have been able to separate 3 diff’t Black-chinneds coming in (1 male & 2 female), 1 prob BC juvenile & 1 ea male & female Rufous.
Reading where Rufous Hummingbirds esp, have great memories & fidelity on their migration routes for nectar, whether artificial or natural sources. Hadn’t kept a hummingbird feeder for many years & just started regularly about 4 yrs ago. Last fall, had numerous Rufous late Aug into Sept & most were juveniles. Wondering if those I’m observing are now adults from last year’s broods & re-visiting on their southward trek? In any case, from most info I’ve researched, appears Rufous are about 2 wks early on southbound migration.
Just had an adult female Rufous Hummingbird come into the feeder. Since I’ve never seen any evidence of Rufous breeding at our river location it appears, as was pointed out by others when I reported the adult male recently, Rufous must be on their southward migration already. It’s early to see them at our home spot in late June.
As reported by others recently, I sighted a red-eyed vireo along the Dry Creek Trail in the Boise foothills about 0.2 miles downstream of the confluence of Shingle and Dry Creeks. The bird was in the riparian area singing long and loudly. I saw it on the way up and the way down the trail. Last sighting was at 11:16am today.
Grace’s Warbler is a pretty bird. It would be exciting in the extreme if you had seen one here. I’ve been thrilled to see them in Arizona. Eyes to the skies! And in bushes and on the ground.
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