According to Emmett Ranger Dist this a.m., Sagehen Res is closed until 8/31 for logging ops. We keep hiking the hills around it and other than a (lucky) brief windy day in early May, looks like we won’t have access to the trail until fall.
And speaking of birds, some of the local home haircuts around here, including the frightening one in my mirror, are starting to resemble horned larks… minus the cute factor.
On Tuesday evening, I made a last-minute trip to see the HUDSONIAN GODWIT that Jethro Runco found at Boundary Creek WMA (Boundary County) on Monday morning. I arrived at six PM during a merciful break in the rain and quickly found the Godwit foraging near the SW portion of the main/largest pond. As I was watching, a surprise TUNDRA SWAN (unexpected in July) flew in and landed nearby. I returned to the WMA early this morning and could not relocate the Godwit, so it has probably moved on, despite poor and rainy conditions continuing overnight.
On my way home to Moscow, I stopped at Sandpoint City Beach, thinking I was crazy to do so in heavy rain and a 50 degree temperature. Immediately I found a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER that appears to be the earliest southbound (“fall) record for all of Idaho in eBird. 3 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS were also present.
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.
