Packsaddle, Estates NW Teton Valley-foothills of the Big Hole Mountains, Teton County

The snow storm brought in a flock of about 60 Gray-crowned Rosy-finch to our yard again this weekend. We had been seeing up to 200 this winter but they disappeared when the weather improved last week.

This morning April 2, I finally saw 2 Black Rosy-finch in the flock eating seeds on our deck. Got a few photos also. I had been looking for this species all winter so was thrilled to finally observe them.

The Black RF nest in the Teton Range in WY. The first graduate study on nesting BLRF will be completed later this year through the Univ of WY.

Snow is still falling here! The ground squirrels started to emerge last week also.

Best, Susan Patla

They floated over my house in the North End and caused the neighborhood Red-tailed Hawk some concern. I last saw them heading west.

Tom McCabe

From: ible@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ible@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of satuthill@cableone.net [ible]
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2018 9:15 AM
To: ible@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [IBLE] Turkey Vultures – Up close and personal

I am sure others have seen Turkey Vultures returning to Idaho for the year, but I haven’t. And, living in town if I see them at all from my house they are way up high and in the distance. So, I was quite surprised Friday night when I walked out onto my deck to light up the barbecue. As I walked out to the barbecue I heard some loud rustlings up above me. I stopped and looked in the top of the tall Cottonwood tree in my backyard and was quite surprised to see 20 Turkey Vultures roosting in the bare branches. I imagine they had planned on spending the night there. Well they were not that happy in seeing me, so within a minute or two they all flew off down the hill looking for a calmer place to spend the night. I hope they found one.

Scott Tuthill

I am sure others have seen Turkey Vultures returning to Idaho for the year, but I haven’t. And, living in town if I see them at all from my house they are way up high and in the distance. So, I was quite surprised Friday night when I walked out onto my deck to light up the barbecue. As I walked out to the barbecue I heard some loud rustlings up above me. I stopped and looked in the top of the tall Cottonwood tree in my backyard and was quite surprised to see 20 Turkey Vultures roosting in the bare branches. I imagine they had planned on spending the night there. Well they were not that happy in seeing me, so within a minute or two they all flew off down the hill looking for a calmer place to spend the night. I hope they found one.

Scott Tuthill

Eurasian Wigeons continue to move through the inland northwest. This
afternoon, one male was at the small pond on White Pine Flats Road, just
north of Idaho Highway 8 and east of Troy in Latah County (
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44141364). Maybe the same one reported
by Terry Gray at Spring Valley Reservoir yesterday. Lots of other common
waterfowl are still on the area ponds. An apparent migrant American Tree
Sparrow was on nearby Little Bear Ridge Road.

Good Birding,

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, ID

Hello hello,

I want to send out this announcement and spread the word about it, by my
own initiative and I’ve been encourage to do so by others. I participated
in the Western Fields Ornithologists youth scholarship program several
years ago and it was a great experience. I made great connections and it
provided good insight into ornithology. More simply put, it was an
enjoyable time (and full of great birds while I was in east-central Montana
at the 2015 annual meeting). I consider it a significant moment in my
ornithology “career”.

In short, if you know of anyone who would be interested pass it along!

I appreciate it and good birding,

Austin Young
Pocatello

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Ed
Date: Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 11:25
Subject: WFO News – Scholarship Opportunity
To: Austin&Ken Young

WFO News
*Youth Scholarship Opportunity*
*for the** 43nd Annual WFO Conference*

Western Field Ornithologists is pleased to announce the availability of
youth scholarships for our 43rd Annual Conference to be held in VENTURA,
CA – SEPTEMBER 26-30, 2018. The scholarships are open to youths between the
ages of 12 and 22, with 5 scholarships for those in Grades 6 through 12,
and 2 scholarships for college students working toward a Bachelor’s degree.

The WFO conference is a four day event that includes scientific
presentations, workshops, field trips, sound and visual identification
panels, plus social activities. The conference is an opportunity to meet
those who work in field ornithology, bird conservation, biology and other
fields, and to mix with other youths who share your interests.

To apply go to:

*https://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/docs/2018/WFO_2018_Conference-Youth_Scholarship_Application.pdf
Application
deadline is April 22, 2018, so don’t delay, send in your application today!*

For additional details about the conference see:
https://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/conference.php

Registration opens in June.
1328 49th Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States

You may unsubscribe

or change your contact details

at any time.

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—
Austin Young
Twin Falls, ID
austinyoung224@gmail.com

Howdy,
The LTDU is still below Am. Falls dam on the Snake River. It is with many courting Common Goldeneye and a few Barrow’s, as well as many Red-breasted Mergansers. There is a Spotted Towhee at the river feeder on the Nature Trail in the trout farm.
Further south there are many Tundra and Trumpeter Swans near Downata Hot Springs, as well as on Swan Lake south of Downey on the road to Logan. Also, three Am. Avocets and Sandhills Cranes were near Swan Lake yesterday.
Good Birding!
Chuck Trost

Always forward, never straight…

Hi birders,
In the group of 150 Western Grebes seen from first campground area SE of
the dam. Also picked out 1 Clark’s (probably more). Using a spotting scope
but initially found through binos.

Danette Henderson
Boise

Driving through Ontario, OR Sunday evening, 2000? Snow Geese flying in huge flocks heading west/northwest. Really cool to watch so many of them in movement.

Boise – Barber Park – did a quick run through as I was trying to build up my Spring Break Bird List for the Riverstone Competition, wanted to take a quick peek to see if the cutie Northern Saw-whet was there – GUESS WHAT? He was. Same tree, same adorable little face.

Back Yard Bird Box
… 4 screech owl eggs. Super fun! Counting down to fuzzy babies.
….No Kestrels… 2nd year in a row. Don’t know if it’s the Screech Owls or the Great Horned close by, but for some reason the Kestrels aren’t returning. Only posting to motivate you to put up your own boxes! =) (hope I’m not violating the rules)

Happy Birds and birders.
____________________
Kim Liebich =)
Boise Idaho

Registration will open soon for the 8TH ANNUAL DEAN HALE WOODPECKER
FESTIVAL.  This popular event will be held in Sisters, Oregon from May
31-June 3.  Festival participants have a choice of 20-guided tours in
search
of 11 different species of woodpeckers and 200 other birds that make
central Oregon a birding hot spot. Sponsored by East Cascades Audubon
Society, this festival offers a fun, friendly, casual atmosphere that is
all about the birds. The trips are affordable and guided by two local
volunteers with the proceeds supporting the many ECAS projects and
programs fostering bird conservation. 

ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 2 AT 9 AM PDT. More information is on
the website:  http://www.ecaudubon.org/dean-hale-woodpecker-festival
   You can email questions to dhwf2018@gmail.com  Trips fill quickly.

Honoring Dean, our charismatic birding friend who led many people to
love birds and birding, Judy Meredith, jmeredit@bendnet.com

Hi,

Today March 25 we had an American Robin appear on the aspen tree that is the main perch for the territorial pair that nests every year by or on the house. I saw another one yesterday in the neighborhood also.

With the snow today and yesterday, the large flock of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch returned (estimate at least 200 birds). Still could not find one Black RF in the bunch.

We also still have about 12 Pine Grosbeaks hanging out, a few magpies, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Small flocks of juncos appeared down the hill but overall, it is still very quiet birdwise up here in Packsaddle in the foothills of the Big Holes.

Best, Susan