A bit of an uptick in fall migrants today. Have seen: YR (Audubon’s) Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers & Gray Catbird. Also, RN Sapsuckers, both adults & juveniles. And, a single juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbird at the feeder. Have one juvenile BH Grosbeak coming in for seeds. And, overhead, Bald Eagles, RT Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks & Common Ravens. Along the river: Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs & a Spotted Sandpiper.
My greatest numbers are from a colony of Least Chipmunks that have taken up residence at the backyard/Riparian woods junction. They had a good litter(s) of young this summer & I have little chipmunks running amok! Of course, I have to throw out a few sunflower seeds for them, too!
For two or three weeks we had Cassin’s finches and siskins at our feeders. Absent today and yesterday. And I’ve been seeing young yellow rumped warblers around. Blackbirds, mostly Brewers, are grouping into large flocks. I saw two SACR this morning, too.
Dean Jones
Donnelly
Dean Jones
“A world of facts lies outside and beyond the world of words.” Thomas Huxley
It’s good to read what’s happening with bird movements around Boise and around the state. I’ve been hearing and seeing BC Chickadees, hearing Red-breasted Nuthatches, seeing small flocks (4-10) House Finches, less Black-chinned Hummingbird activity, and occasional evening Screech Owls. It’s enough to keep my ears and eyes alert.
Thanks for your report from west side of state. I’ve been watching for Pine Siskins to hit my thistle feeder, but none as of yet. No big “flush” of songbirds through our place, as of yet, either.
Just seems, one day the birds are here, next day, must have pulled out at night. Today, had a bit of activity for an hour at the nectar, 2 Black-chinneds & 1 Calliope…all juvs. Appears they’ve since moved on. Best bird today has been one Gray Catbird working the interface between yard & woods.
About 2 weeks ago, we had a male Lazuli Bunting show up at our feeders. He was quickly accompanied by a female. He stayed for a couple of days; she stayed a day longer. Then, a week ago, our first Pine Siskin showed up, and by today there
were 3 of them. And yesterday there was a Western Tanager hanging around across the street, but he never made it into our yard. BC Hummers continue to visit the feeders, but traffic has slowed somewhat. And our neighborhood Wild Turkeys continue to delight,
although one never knows where they’ll be found.
Was wondering how the hummers were your way, Bill. Watched the nectar feeder off & on, as time allowed today. Ended up seeing a single juvenile Black-chinned hit the feeder twice, early afternoon. Zero this evening. Supposed to be a weather change with cooler temps & moisture by tomorrow evening. I’ll keep some nectar filled until, as you note, overnight freezes occur. Hopefully, provide some quick energy for stragglers.
American Falls Reservoir water level is now below the silo and shorebirds are showing up. Got a snowy plover and 2 semipalmated plovers along with the usual plethora of killdeer. Several sandpiper species and both yellowlegs, willet, and lots of ibis. Common, Forster’s, and Caspian terns too.
Birding at Willow Bay is a bit hampered by on-going reconstruction of the breakwater at the boat ramp. However, you can get to the beach via the county park.
It appears that there was a migration exodus last night. My hummingbird feeder has been absolutely silent since daybreak. Not a single visitor. Yesterday, had hummingbirds hitting it all day, from dawn to dusk. Also, no warblers or House Wrens around for a week. I have seen 2 juv Black-headed Grosbeaks at the seed feeder, but no adults in days.
Several long-term winter forecasts for our region state above avg snowpack & cold. If my streamside willows are any indication (already turning yellow/gold), appears fall is arriving. Maybe the birds know something this year, as last year, had hummingbird visitors into October.
Have been watching the nectar feeder quite a bit, last few days. Since Tuesday, have only seen juvenile hummingbirds coming in. Black-chinned, Rufous & Calliope with two big bursts of activity: dawn & about 2 hours before dusk, otherwise, intermittent throughout the day.
Started internet researching hummingbird migration & appears that “instinct” plays a big role in their travels. As the adults vacate the region first & the juveniles are left on their own. So, seems they have an inherited instinctual ability to navigate their travels, without adults guiding. Fascinating. Also, read that found through banding studies, at least 15% of juveniles return to immediate area where hatched each year. Would welcome any thoughts, pro or con, on my findings, esp by those who have been involved with hummingbird banding, etc.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
