Here on Moscow Mountain’s edge we are fortunate to have both red-breasted and white-beasted nuthatches appear daily year round. Pygmy nuthatches also come often but don’t appear every day. All come to the bird water features, glean from the trees, and come to the seed/suet feeders.
An old friend returned this AM, WB Nuthatch. Over the past 3-4 yrs, RB Nuthatches have become year-round residents. But, the WB remains an infrequent visitor. Only once, in a January, did we have an irruption for about a month of WB Nuthatches gathering & making caches of sunflower seeds. The one this AM was visiting the platform feeder, as well.
Watched several kettles of 75+ Swainson’s Hawks headed South this afternoon. Then, toward dusk, one group started dropping into our property’s cottonwoods. In our 36 yrs here, have witnessed such only one other time, when a group dropped in for a rest & was gone by daybreak.
Most I counted on one tree today was 10 individuals (photo). Other groups were in neighboring trees in 3’s to 6 or more. Just imagine, some of these birds may find their way to the Pampas of Argentina this month!
Thanks, Diann! Pygmy has made only a handful of visits over the years. Once had a Saw-whet take refuge in the open rafters of our garage during a raging blizzard! I had inadvertently left a garage door open & went to close it, then saw the little owl staring down at me. Left the door open & it had departed by daybreak.
Last night, had a pair of Great-horneds carrying on a “conversation ‘ with each other for a half hour, in backyard cottonwoods. Others, over the years, have been: Long-eared, Short-eared, Barn & a single sighting of a Great Gray flyover. Shows importance of intact Riparian habitat.
YR Warbler activity is rapidly fading. We have a change with lower temperatures arriving this week & think that will play a role with the rush of fall migration.
Wow, you’re lucky to have those owls visit your yard! I consider it a treat when I hear Western Screech, especially what I think are young ones. There are enough trees, deciduous and evergreen, to provide shelter and nesting places in my Boise Depot Bench location. Though I rarely hear or see them, there are occasionally signs that Great Horned Owls have stopped by for a meal or to discard a pellet.
Your bird reports are thoroughly enjoyable to read. Please continue posting.
Between Cliff’s recent post for Fremont County & eBird showing Jefferson County sightings, can now add Bingham County for a recent Sabine’s Gull.
This morning, while fly-fishing a mayfly hatch on the Snake, had an adult, in non-breeding plumage, Sabine’s come very close overhead. At first glance, thought it was a tern. But, quickly realized it was a quite graceful & tailored gull. Made several passes overhead within feet of me.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
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