[IBLE] WESO fledging already ??

Absent a local robust data set like a state Breeding Bird Atlas, I can only guess as to Western Screech-owl breeding phenology here in west Boise. Can eBird yield these data? I keep hearing what sounds like fledged birds, but according to the BNA account and nearby state BBA’s, the earliest reported / published / dates are 15 April. Maybe nestlings are calling from a nest site I can’t see on private property? Happens to be a place I’ve encountered them almost every year, but I’m suspicious of what I’m hearing until I can see the ‘lil fluffernuts. Could be something else I’m hearing? Thing is, they sound so distinctive to my ears……

The challenges and surprises of birding, eh?! =)

Larry

[IBLE] spring migration rocks !!!

Missy and I had good luck on this drizzly, muddy day in SW Idaho (Ada, Owyhee, Elmore Counties) —

Indian Creek Reservoir yielded one each Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, and Long-billed Curlew
Ted Trueblood gave us a Swainson’s Hawk
Jack’s Creek treated us to six Caspian Terns and a Wilson’s Snipe
And Avocets were everywhere

But our quest birds were Black-necked Stilt and Barn Swallow, which we didn’t find anywhere…… such is birding, eh? 😉

More migrants, please
Larry

Re: [IBLE] FOS Swainson’s Hawk

Y – nice sightings!
wish we could say “ditto” on Swainson’s, but we can’t……..yet

Missy and I *were* surprised by all the RL hawks on our drive to Swan Falls Wednesday, and I doubt we counted/entered them all in eBird
Larry

From: “Yvonne Motherwell birdnerd_motherwell@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Saturday, April 6, 2019 6:07:27 PM
Subject: [IBLE] FOS Swainson’s Hawk

On Cloverdale Road today, April 6, between Meridian and Kuna, I saw my FOS Swainson’s hawk!

Also had three rough-legged hawks out in the Snake River Birds of Prey Conservation area.

Good birding!

-Yvonne Motherwell
Meridian, Idaho

RE: [IBLE] Tundra Swans [1 Attachment]

Brian, I saw 2 tundra swans just east of Cascade, Valley County, on a frozen pond on Sun 3/31.
Happy trails, Rich Nampa

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible]
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2019 10:30 AM
To: ible@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [IBLE] Tundra Swans

 
Last night about 10 PM heard my first-of-season migrating groups of Tundra Swans flying overhead. Enjoy hearing their flight calls.

My most common feeder bird is American Goldfinch. And, alas, haven’t seen nor heard the Blue Jay since Wed. It may have used the brief break in weather to head back East. I’ll keep an eye out but usually the jay is the first morning feeder visitor.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Re: [IBLE] Turns Out…

thx Brian…… re: “no interest in banding a single visitor……..
as another science dude I’m curious !!

I’ve mostly been biased against banding as a matter of principle, it being “old science” (imprinted long ago by discussions with Marty Collar of Pocatello), and banding reminds me of a “macro” version of HUP (Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle), which should be an easy wiki search if folks are interested…….. but – warning – it gets technical 😉

can you and I discuss this more offline? I’m very interested in your perspective……!!

thanks again, Larry

From: “lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2019 5:41:10 PM
Subject: [IBLE] Turns Out…

Hi Larry. As it turns out, the Blue Jay returned for one short feeder visit this afternoon. Must be finding natural forage, as the weather warms. So, still around, albeit the jay’s no longer predictable in its habits. Suspect, it won’t hang around too much longer. As your provided map shows, perhaps it will head north. As far as banding a single visitor, simply have no interest in such.

Others today, were several flyovers by Sandhill Cranes and some White Pelicans. Forgot to mention, saw one Harris’ Sparrow scratching under the feeder this past Tues. And saw one Townsend’s Solitaire on top of one of our spruce trees today.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

[IBLE] Turns Out…

Hi Larry. As it turns out, the Blue Jay returned for one short feeder visit this afternoon. Must be finding natural forage, as the weather warms. So, still around, albeit the jay’s no longer predictable in its habits. Suspect, it won’t hang around too much longer. As your provided map shows, perhaps it will head north. As far as banding a single visitor, simply have no interest in such.

Others today, were several flyovers by Sandhill Cranes and some White Pelicans. Forgot to mention, saw one Harris’ Sparrow scratching under the feeder this past Tues. And saw one Townsend’s Solitaire on top of one of our spruce trees today.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Re: [IBLE] Tundra Swans [1 Attachment]

Brian, I’m crawling out on a limb to bet Chuck Trost’s retirement check that your Blue Jay might have headed more north than east..? see BNA range map below if it survives cyberspace……

would you have considered getting your bird banded ?

Curious George / LA

From: “lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2019 9:29:29 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Tundra Swans

Last night about 10 PM heard my first-of-season migrating groups of Tundra Swans flying overhead. Enjoy hearing their flight calls.

My most common feeder bird is American Goldfinch. And, alas, haven’t seen nor heard the Blue Jay since Wed. It may have used the brief break in weather to head back East. I’ll keep an eye out but usually the jay is the first morning feeder visitor.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

[IBLE] Tundra Swans

Last night about 10 PM heard my first-of-season migrating groups of Tundra Swans flying overhead. Enjoy hearing their flight calls.

My most common feeder bird is American Goldfinch. And, alas, haven’t seen nor heard the Blue Jay since Wed. It may have used the brief break in weather to head back East. I’ll keep an eye out but usually the jay is the first morning feeder visitor.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee

Idaho Birds