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[IBLE] New arrivals

My ride today produced 2 new arrivals that I haven’t seen in some time. The
first new arrival was 3 Greater Scaup on Veteran’s Pond, down toward the end
nearest Veteran’s Parkway. There were 2 males and a female. Unfortunately,
they were quite a distance from me, but I’m pretty sure they were Greaters.
The heads looked rounded and the white was more prominent than the white
I’ve seen on Lessers.

The second new arrival was a couple of Ring-necked Ducks on the pond in the
infield at Les Bois track, viewed from Remington St. Their white shoulder
stripe was prominent, so I had no hesitation, especially since I’ve been
waiting for them to arrive on that pond. 😉

But because of the similarities between GRSC’s and RNDU’s, I went back to
Veteran’s and took another look. The lighting was better at that time of day
and I still feel confident.

There were also more Common Mergansers along the river than I’ve seen in the
last few weeks, some of them molting into male plumage. I also had a fly-by
of a Cooper’s Hawk at Ann Morrison that stirred up a bunch of ducks but
produced no bloodshed.

Tom McCabe, Boise

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[IBLE] Bear Lake NWR sightings

Over 4,000 waterfowl were counted during last week’s survey at Bear Lake
National Wildlife Refuge. Species found included Canada Goose, American
Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback,
and American Coot.

Species seen along the auto tour route yesterday were 3 adult Bald Eagles,
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper,
Northern Harrier, White-crowned Sparrow, American Pipit, Marsh Wren and a
very close, but calm, striped skunk.

The auto tour route and trails at Bear Lake Refuge are open from sunrise to
sunset.

If you would like to stay apprised of everything happening at Bear Lake,
Camas, Grays Lake and Minididoka Refuges, visit and Like our Facebook page
at .

Steven F. Kahl
Deputy Project Leader
Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex
4425 Burley Dr., Ste. A
Chubbuck, ID 83202
P (208) 237-6615 ext 112
F (208) 237-8213

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[IBLE] Southern Panhandle including WHITE-WINGED and SURF SCOTERS, Anna’s Hummingbirds, Etc.

I did some weekend birding and exploring in the Southern Panhandle (I think
that’s a thing), mostly in Idaho, Lewis, and a bit of Clearwater Counties.
Highlights included a young male ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD Saturday evening near
the Lucile Post Office, on the Salmon River north of Riggins. This morning
I found both the male and a female ANNA’S at the same location. I had an
Anna’s at the opposite/north end of Lucile last December, but there are
very few other Idaho County records.

A few Myrtle and likely intergrade Yellow-rumped Warblers were with decent
numbers of Audubon’s and lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets feeding mostly on
emerging Hackberry Gull Psyllids along the Salmon River. In Riggins I had
a flock of 6 late CHIPPING SPARROWS both Saturday and Sunday. A late
OSPREY was on the Salmon just above Riggins this morning. Further up the
Salmon River Road, a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL was near mile 4, a young BARROW’S
GOLDENEYE was near mile 5, and a lingering Lincoln’s Sparrow was near mile
2.

This afternoon I made a final stop at the overlook above Dworshak
Dam/Bruce’s Eddy Recreation Area near Ahsahka. Just off the boat ramp were
9 SURF SCOTERS and 4 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, the later possibly a first for
Clearwater County. Photos in eBird:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39945162.

Good Birding,

Car Lundblad
Moscow, ID

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[IBLE] Cassia Crossbills

Howdy,
Today I found Idaho’s only endemic species on Mt. Harrison, south of Oakley. They were up past the Pomerelle Ski area near Twin Lakes campground. The forest at about 8000 ft. is a mixture of subalpine fir and lodgepole pine, and the crossbills were eating cones in the latter. Yea, lifer #5197!
Good birding,
Chuck Trost

Always forward, never straight…

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