I haven’t seen this posted on IBLE yet, but it just came through on the
eBird review queue.

Here’s the checklist with photos:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56179786

Happy Mother’s Day to the birder moms.

Bryce

Overnight, Yellow Warblers arrived by the dozens. Males are singing from cottonwoods all through the Snake River Riparian area, quickly establishing their territories. BH Grosbeaks are doing the same. As are Lazuli Bunting males, spotted 6 singing & staking their spots this AM on the place. I did put the Oriole feeder out which has 2 small, shallow jelly cups (so none of the smaller birds can get stuck in jelly) & 2 prongs for orange halves. The only visitors, so far, have been the BC Hummingbirds going from orange halves to their nectar feeder. Suspect the hummer pr will quickly move to nesting.

Also have seen WC Sparrows & Chipping Sparrows this AM. Heard the Blue Jay again, earlier. But no longer visits the seed feeder. Another surprise was a Townsend’s Solitaire which landed at the top of a spruce tree. They’re usually gone by mid-April, so this is a late date for my yard. Am finding House Finch egg halves, meaning on this Mother’s Day, they’re already feeding hatchlings.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

We hiked out to the west end this afternoon and it was pretty busy. We
found a Whimbrel in with Curlews in the Sagebrush and a male Pectoral
Sandpiper (only the second I’ve seen in spring) in flooded Sagebrush a
long way from the reservoir. The res is only 85% full so there’s a lot
of habitat out there right now. There was probably more small terns than
I’ve seen before, all Forster’s (I usually don’t see Common until late
May so not unexpected they were all Forster’s). There was a flock of 10
Black-bellied Plovers and 11 dowitchers too far away to ID. A small
mixed flock of Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalaropes, a flock of maybe 80
American Avocets, 11 Sanderlings (I think the most I’ve seen up here),
plenty of Willets, a few Killdeer and Wilson’s Snipe and single Spotted,
Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers rounded out the shorebirds.

Cliff

—
Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, Idaho
cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

Relaxing on back deck this evening & heard the Blue Jay! Thought, at first, I was trying to make a Magpie call into the jay. But, it was so typical for the jay. Then, it landed in a nearby cottonwood, letting me get a good look through the binocs. And then flew a semi-circle around the yard, disappearing back in the woods. It didn’t even glance at the feeder. Obviously, is feeding on natural sources now.

I don’t even know what to think anymore about this bird. Or even if it’s the same one? Have to think it is, but no sightings in nearly a week. If I can locate it on the 15th, that would make a full 7 months of its residency here.

I filled the hummer feeder & since filling, have had at least one each male & female Black-chinned Hummingbird visit it. A male Lazuli Bunting has been hitting the black-oil sunflower seeds most of the afternoon. And, a male Bullock’s Oriole arrived this evening, too. Time for the jelly cups. Two more to go: Yellow Warbler & Western Tanager.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Stepped out on back deck & opened our bright red deck umbrella. Had just sat down in its shade, when a male Black-chinned Hummingbird started buzzing the umbrella. Guess he figured he’d discovered a cornucopia of nectar! Must be time to fill the hummer feeder.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Looks like the Blue Jay took off sometime last Sunday. Haven’t heard nor seen since. Sure made for an entertaining feeder bird this past winter.

Black-headed Grosbeaks arrived on Wed this week. And the Harris’ Sparrow is still around. My most common bird right now is Am Goldfinch. Closely followed by House Finch & Am Robin. House Wrens are already nesting. Still waiting on W Tanager, Bullock’s Orioles & Yellow Warblers.

For Ruth Shea: went up to cabin today & I didn’t see the Trumpeter pr at Swan Lake. But the lake is inundated right now and their nesting island is underwater. There’s still patches of snow around but melting fast. So, maybe they’ll show in the next week or so.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

is this bird accessible to other birders? any other info like directions, address, coming in to a feeder on a regular basis? permission needed? hours accessible? good time(s) to see bird?

have been trying for the sp since moving to Idaho and will be driving past Twin tomorrow morning anyway, would hurt immeasurably to miss it =(

sincere thanks, Larry

— Forwarded Message —–
From: ebird-alert@cornell.edu
To: “Larry Arnold”
Sent: Thursday, May 9, 2019 9:09:52 AM
Subject: [eBird Alert] Needs Alert for Idaho

*** Species Summary:

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1 Twin Falls)

———————————————
Thank you for subscribing to the Needs Alert for Idaho.The report below shows observations of species you have not seen in Idaho, based on your eBird observations. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN10357
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) (1)
– Reported May 08, 2019 13:44 by Charlotte Eberlein
– 1467 Falls Ave W, Twin Falls US-ID (42.5787,-114.5137), Twin Falls, Idaho
– Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=42.578749,-114.513696&ll=42.578749,-114.513696
– Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56014602
– Comments: “Male previously observed at this location. Black head, heavy beak, rosy triangle on breast. White spots on wings on black wings. Poor quality photo available.”

***********

You received this message because you are subscribed to eBird’s Needs Alert for Idaho

Manage your eBird alert subscriptions:
https://ebird.org/alerts

On my morning walk yesterday at Packsaddle Estates in the NW foothills of the valley, found some new arrivals:
Orange-crowned Warbler singing
Vesper Sparrow. 3 singing
Green-tailed Towhee singing and calling (saw a silent one earlier in week)
Spotted Towhee. Singing
Flycatcher-appeared to be Hammonds. Was silent. Have good photo

Was 32 degrees at 7 am.

Sent via Passenger Pigeon

I had 4 Orioles appreciating my food offerings this evening and I
appreciate their beauty. And tonight I walked outside at 10:40 p.m. and
could hear at least 2 Common Poorwills calling in the l sagebrush valley
just below my house. Last year was the first year I have been aware of
their presence in that area.

Was just now watching the feeders to see if today’s rainy weather brought in any spring arrivals & was pleasantly surprised to find a male Lazuli Bunting, with that impossible turquoise blue head, come in for seeds. My favorite spring arrival! Other spring residents shouldn’t be too far behind.

Appears (cautious statement) that the Blue Jay has moved on. Haven’t seen since last Fri nor heard since Sun. But, it has surprised me, when I’ve thought the same, by suddenly appearing. However, I’ve not heard its loud morning or evening announcements since Sun AM.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot