Has anyone gone to Sandy Point today? I lost service there last night, so I didn’t see everyone’s emails until too late – including the more specific directions. By the time I had driven all around (at least now I know where Foote Park
is!) and then went back to the gate and walked in, and wandered all around by the fountain area, the lighting was bad and it started raining again. I couldn’t find the bird. I finally figured out the area that was most likely (confirmed later by the email
I found), but the rain was making it impossible, so I left. That was a long drive for a frustrating experience! Thanks to everyone who tried to help guide me. Now I’m wondering – with the night rain – if the bird stuck around or not. Please post if you
find it, thanks! Jonathan, Horseshoe Bend
I just downloaded my photos onto my computer and rather than a female Black-throated Gray Warbler, I believe I saw a male Blackpoll Warbler at Sandy Point this morning. I am sending my photos to Jay for confirmation.
Had not seen Western tanagers in our hood in a while, then saw one on the canal and a very wet migrating flock on Shalerock Rd late yesterday.
Montour WMA had some, as well as lots of flycatchers.
MacGillivray warbler left yard when the rain quit. Female black chinned Hummer finally arrived. Yellow Warblers, Western King birds, Bullock’s Orioles and Black-headed grosbeaks have set up house keeping.
Believe the kestrel nesting box has been abandoned. Distressing. Had active nesting up to 10 days ago. Have watched successful fledges for 8 years or more, some years there have been 2 clutches. I see the male on occasion, but there’s no chow time calling, no box visits, and I’ve noticed starlings sitting on top of the box this week. So bummed.
You impressed me with 10 miles and 45 birds (or species?). The farthest I ventured out was to the end of the driveway to retrieve trash bins. I prefer to be a fair weather birder. Sadly, I have not seen any Western Tanagers on my walks between the Boise Depot and Hillcrest. Guess I need to shift to the Greenbelt.
Thanks for putting a name to that “disorder” (BADD). I like to think of it as a more positive trait of heightened auditory and visual awareness. HAVA or BADD, many of us are afflicted.
You’ll have continued success meeting your daily goals, because you’re out there every day. Keep on keepin’ on!
Reading with envy the numbers of Western Tanagers from west side of state. Keep looking, scanning & listening &, so far, zero for me. I’m down to a pr of Evening Grosbeaks, from a hi of 35. They were, indeed, fun to watch & listen to for 3 wks. But, a silver lining, I’m back down to feeding my 1lb of black oil sunflower seeds/day, instead of 3! Saves a few bucks.
They have been replaced by Black-headed Grosbeaks, a high of 15, at present. 4 Pine Siskins coming in & at least 7 Lazuli Buntings at a time hit the feeders. Numerous Am Goldfinches around & a fair number of House Finches. Yellow Warblers are setting up territories throughout the woods. And a pr of Black-chinned Hummingbirds is hitting the nectar.
I haven’t seen nor heard the Blue Jay since last wkend, but did overwinter. Perhaps, the same one as last year? Like to think so. Other yard sightings are: 5-6 Bald Eagles, 3-5 Swainson’s Hawks, 2 Red-tailed Hawks & 1 ea Am Kestrel & Sharp-shinned Hawk on avg, daily. Lots of White Pelicans this yr & a good number of DC Cormorants. Just need a W Tanager to make spring…complete.
If you live anywhere near Boise, you know that today was a little “damp.” For some reason, I thought maybe the birds would just ignore the rain and parade around for me. As it turns out, I had to repeatedly find dry places (few and far between on the greenbelt) to clean my bino lenses and even my glasses. Eventually the water wore me down and I headed home, but I managed 45 birds in about 10 miles. Highlights included my FOY Willow Flycatcher and FOY MacGillivray’s Warbler. Western Tanagers were EVERYWHERE. My conservative estimate would be 40 to 50 individuals that I actually saw, plus others that I heard.
As some of you are aware, I am afflicted with a condition that is probably familiar to all of you: BADD, better known as “Birders Attention Deficit Disorder.” This is when any motion in the trees, in the sky, on the ground, attracts your undivided attention, even when you’re in the midst of a serious conversation. Because of my BADD, I was constantly swiveling my head today, but only because every leaf in Boise was being hit by water and therefore moving. It was sensory overload. Plus, every swallow in Idaho was flying around my route, overwhelmingly dominated by a gazillion VG Swallows. It was like being inside a snow globe that someone was constantly shaking.
Of course, I can’t wait to get out again tomorrow.
Tom McCabe, Boise
P.S. The various weather reports indicate we set a new record for precipitation for this date in Boise. I believe it!
I’m from Michigan and miss the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks I’d commonly see there. I used to band them in Minnesota as well. I hope they continue to march west!
By the way, thank you for including where you live in Idaho. Often people fail to do that here on IBLE, and because I don’t know everyone contributing, I’m often left wondering where they have sighted their birds. It’s helpful when people put down their town or city name on their post somewhere. Thanks.
My daughter found a Rose-breasted Grosbeak trapped in our indoor porch on Stateline Road in Teton Valley this morning, May 20. She was able to catch it and said it looked fine when she let it go. This is the second time we’ve had one in our yard. The first time was on May 28, 2010. Unfortunately I am not at home to see this bird!
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