About 4 weeks ago I started noticing a few Canada geese w/ noticeably
smaller bills and shorter/thicker necks among the typical moffitti/maxima.
They are also noticeably smaller than the moffitti/maxima but not nearly
small enough to be cackling geese. These smaller birds are similarly light
chested to the moffitti/maxima.

The first week or two I just attributed it to individual variation of a
couple individuals. But, this weekend out of over 600 Canadas I counted in
three locations, at least 15 stuck out as these small birds. This included
birds within flocks of moffitti/maxima flying over, standing along the
shoreline preening/loafing, and grazing in a pasture.

Can anyone advise on which subspecies this more likely could be? My best
guess would be lesser/parvipes. But, I’m well aware of how tricky ID’ing
Canada geese to subspecies away from their breeding grounds can be.

Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday morning I had a “pure” looking male YELLOW-SHAFTED NORTHERN
FLICKER at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston. I see multiple apparent
intergrade Northern Flickers in north Idaho each fall/winter (and there was
also one of those present, yesterday), but this is only the second
candidate I’ve seen for a pure yellow-shafted in Idaho. Photos in eBird:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42093549.

Good Birding

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, ID

Knew I had an Accipter this AM, when all my feeder birds took flight & disappeared. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a 1st yr N Goshawk in the binocs. Its white supercilium, vertical brown streaks on the breast, mottled back & broad tail bands were obvious. Interestingly, an adult Goshawk was present earlier this winter.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

It has always seemed to me that birding is better after a storm, so I was
hoping for a good day today. I wasn’t disappointed.

It started out with the usual feeder visitors, including a ton of Pine
Siskins (#3) but then the 6 pack of Wild Turkeys (#5) showed up on my block
and made my day. By the time I left on my bike ride, I had 10 birds,
including some very colorful Lesser Goldfinches (#9). When I got to Esther
Simplot, #15 was an A. Kestrel, followed quickly by a Merlin (#20). The
Muskrat in Quinn’s Pond was the first I’ve seen there in some time, and a
nice surprise.

At Ann Morrison, I found a mixed flock of Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings (#28 &
29) hanging out in a tree near the fountain plaza. They seemed to be doing
some “flycatching,” but I don’t know what self-respecting insect would be
flying around in 40 degree weather.

Downstream, just before Veteran’s Parkway, on the GC side, I found a Downy
Woodpecker (#30) and Ruby-crowned Kinglets (#31)on the way out and a Brown
Creeper (#40) on the way back.

As usual, Remington St. was great. The Lesser Scaup (#33) and RN Ducks (#34)
were followed by Red-wing Blackbirds (#35) and White-crowned Sparrows (#36).
Then a Red-tailed Hawk flew over (#37), followed by a pair of soaring Bald
Eagles (#38). Of course the gorgeous Red Fox that wanted to get into the
race track was also a treat.

And somehow I had missed on Gadwall until I got back to Esther Simplot, and
that was #41. A wonderful day to be out observing our feathered (and furry)
friends.

Tom McCabe, Boise

Just saw 5 Lesser Goldfinches show up, among American, Dark-eyed Juncos, Pine Siskins, and House Finches. 2 of the LG were nicely-plumaged males.
Fyi…Jonathan, Horseshoe Bend

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

A Townsend’s Solitaire made an appearance at 5pm today. It flew from the
yard fence to the driveway fence and perched long enough for me to get
binocs on it for a good look. I’ve only seen them a few times in my yard
and am happy for each sighting.

Diann Stone Boise Depot Bench

Finally got some shots of the Red-naped continuing at Morris Hill Cemetery.

Yesterday, found a group of over 700 Bohemian Waxwings along the aspen trees near the Sun Valley Music Pavilion. Also, a Peregrine Falcon south of Hailey.

Back home today and best birds were a group of 15, quite vocal, Trumpeter Swans in a fly-over. Also, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, one Harlan’s & a Rough-legged Hawk.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Cove off of orchard N.pintail

It took 2 hours and lots of walking, but I eventually relocated the
continuing PALM WARBLER at Mann Lake, east of Lewiston on Saturday
morning. It was on the outer edge of the willows and other dense
vegetation that rings the lake a couple hundred meters beyond the end of
the model airplane area (traveling clockwise around the lake), near and
beyond the row of Junipers. It was not very cooperative during this
encounter, but it called many times from the thicket and allowed me a
glimpse as it flew away. Full list, details, and exact coordinates of
where it was seen are on eBird:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41871496

The Palm Warbler has been present at this location since I found it on
Thanksgiving day (at least). Other uncommon birds included a continuing
American Tree Sparrow and a small flock of Common Redpolls in one of the
Birch groves.

Good Birding,

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, ID