Greetings, for anyone interested there was a male RNS seen this afternoon in the SW corner of Morris Hill Cemetery in one of the really large pine trees.

Cheers,
Marty Marzinelli

Finally, the first group of Bohemian Waxwings in our neighborhood here in the NW end of Teton Valley. I had been seeing a few Cedar Waxwings the past month but today with snow falling, a large group of Bohemians were foraging on service berries with the robins and pine grosbeaks.

Packsaddle Estates, Teton, Idaho, US
Jan 10, 2019 12:55 PM – 3:55 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: snow falling, temp > 35 degrees, foggy in valley
11 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 6 flew over subdivision heading NW
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) 3 in service berry shrub habitat in subdivision, heard them fly and call
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) (Colaptes auratus [cafer Group]) 1
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 5
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 40
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) 55
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) 10

If anyone wants to see grackles there are 9 birds hanging out at the Walmart parking lot in Ontario. I saw 4 males and 5 females today.

Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho

I found 4 Greater Yellowlegs at Birding Island South in Payette County. They r on the pond on the right hand side as you drive. As also seen Killdeer and a Wilson’s Snipe.

Happy Birding,
Tim Teal

Took a quick look at Remington St (by ex Les Bois) in Garden City today. I am hoping Evening Grosbeaks I saw here a year ago will turn up again. Not yet though. Then I took a look at the river where I saw a pair of Barrow’s Goldeneye. They were at the river junction, right where the red bridge use to be that is still sitting by the abandoned stables on the race track. This seems to be a good spot for them, and I wonder if this pair could be one of the pairs present here a couple or 3 years ago. 
Good 2019 birding!John Shortis

Thx for posting this Denise.

Wow, we’ll really miss that place as one of our favorite birding stops over the last several years!!
But, we get it – the liability issue – and realize how lucky we were to have had access, eh?

Larry and Missy

From: “Denise Hughes deniseh449@gmail.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Monday, January 7, 2019 11:38:41 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Kuna Sewage Treatment Ponds

I just received a text from Christina who works at the Kuna STP. Effective immediately no one is allowed to enter the pond area. Christina says that new signs will be put up that state ‘authorized personnel only’. Birders are not authorized to enter as our permission to enter has been revoked.

Christina says the city of Kuna is concerned about liability and that is the reason for the closure.

I know this has been a place for great bird sightings but let’s all follow the rules.

Can the person who does the ebird hotspots for this part of Idaho change the data so it no longer shows up as a hotspot. Visitors to our area might enter the STP without realizing that entry is prohibited.

Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho

I just received a text from Christina who works at the Kuna STP. Effective immediately no one is allowed to enter the pond area. Christina says that new signs will be put up that state ‘authorized personnel only’. Birders are not authorized to enter as our permission to enter has been revoked.

Christina says the city of Kuna is concerned about liability and that is the reason for the closure.

I know this has been a place for great bird sightings but let’s all follow the rules.

Can the person who does the ebird hotspots for this part of Idaho change the data so it no longer shows up as a hotspot. Visitors to our area might enter the STP without realizing that entry is prohibited.

Denise Hughes
Caldwell, Idaho

Just spent 3 hours taking a “hawk drive”. Saw: Rough-legged Hawk (most numerous, 6 in one field, 15 total) including 2 beautiful dark morphs, Golden Eagle (1), Bald Eagle (2), Prairie Falcon (1), Am Kestrel (5), Red-tailed Hawk (3), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1) & N Harrier (4). Also, numerous flocks of Horned Larks but no Snow Buntings or Larkspurs.

Besides the Hawks, spotted 4 different groups of Trumpeter Swans in flight. Always enjoy seeing the majestic white birds with their long necks stretched out flying & giving their occasional “trumpet call” against a snowy background.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

My Blue Jay continues to visit my feeders & appears no worse the wear, even with recent lows to -15°F. Still caches seeds & corn. Today, I had a surprise when I saw two 1st winter Harris’ Sparrows feeding side-by-side on fallen Russian Olive berries at the yard’s edge. One is always a treat, first time I’ve ever viewed two at same time as yard birds.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Thank you, Tom. It’s always a treat to read your posts. Happy New Year!
Judi and Frank