[IBLE] Recent Sightings

Spring arrivals continue with 4 Black-headed Grosbeaks (3 male, 1 female) coming into feeders today. They breed on the place & last yr, had 6 pairs. House Wrens are nesting as are Robins now. I found a “Robin blue” hatched shell under a spruce the other day. Both Yellow & Audubon’s YR Warblers are here, too. And Brown-headed Cowbirds arrived this weekend, to take advantage of the Yellow Warbler nests. I watched a harried female Yellow Warbler doing all she could to keep her juvenile Cowbird fed last summer!
I’m still awaiting the arrivals of W Tanager, Bullock’s Oriole & Lazuli Bunting. My observations of Lazuli Buntings over the past decade is that they like a source of running water nearby, a ready seed source & are not quite as tolerant of human interaction as other species. They will definitely come into feeders but seem to prefer binocular-distance observation. It is nice to see Spring finally arriving!
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

[IBLE] Lazuli’s

Starting to be regulars here in Hailey as well. I noticed a few years ago when I did a bird seed study that the Lazuli Buntings really prefer White Millet. I run straight Black Oil Sunflower all year except in the spring when I put out a tube feeder with White Millet for the Lazulis. They are annual visitors now. Love seeing the bright blue in the yard.

Zeke Watkins
208-731-1471
Instagram : @idahobirder

Not all those who wander are lost – J.R.R. Tolkien

Without the animals, Man would die of a great loneliness of the Spirit – Chief Seattle

[IBLE] Luck and timing–again

Maybe this is the year for Lazuli Buntings to surprise us all. Yesterday’s
first ever appearance in my yard was a visual treat.

Diann Stone
Boise-Kootenai/Owyhee St

On May 13, 2017 3:13 PM, “‘Tom McCabe’ tmccabe9@cableone.net [ible]” <
ible-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

>
>
> I had just gotten out of the shower after my bike ride when Susan called
> out “Lazuli Bunting!” I ran to the window and there was a bright male on
> the shepherd’s crook of the feeders. Two seconds later he was gone.
>
> Not only was he my first of year, he was the first I’ve seen in our back
> yard in years. Of course, they may just be showing up when we’re both gone.
> 😉
>
> Tom McCabe, Boise
>
>

[IBLE] Luck and timing–again

I had just gotten out of the shower after my bike ride when Susan called out
“Lazuli Bunting!” I ran to the window and there was a bright male on the
shepherd’s crook of the feeders. Two seconds later he was gone.

Not only was he my first of year, he was the first I’ve seen in our back
yard in years. Of course, they may just be showing up when we’re both gone.
😉

Tom McCabe, Boise

[IBLE] Red Knot – Sheridan Ck and Island Park Res. – Yes

 

Hi All,
This afternoon from 4 pm – 6 pm, Bonnie and I visited the west end of Island Park Reservoir where Sheridan Creek (Delta?) flows in. We were fortunate to bump into Cliff and Lisa Weisse who gave us very helpful info on how to reach the willows area where they had first seen the Red Knot.  Thanks Cliff and Lisa!
We reached the willows without getting too wet but it was quiet there. A couple immature Bonapartes gulls, Am. Coots and some Yellow-headed Blackbirds. As we head  ed Northward away from the willows I scoped a thin spit that lies in an inlet several hundred yards north of the willows. It was along this narrow spit that I saw the Red Knot. It seemed to be keeping company with a Marbled Godwit, feeding together along the edge of the spit.
If anyone decides to look for the Red Knot you’ll have to access Green Canyon Rd via Yale-Kilgore. We first tried to go up Green Cyn Rd just south of Harriman SP but had to turn back because there was too much snow still on that road. Aside from the Knot you may find other cool things in this place like Long-billed Curlews and Willets calling, Eared Grebes all plumed out and unbelievable numbers of gulls (Ring-billed, California, Franklin’s and a few Bonaparte’s).
Cheers,
Steve and Bonnie Altshuld
Island Park
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interest skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”   —Theodore Roosevelt

[IBLE] FOBF – my Spark bird

Sweet!  And that’s the area I grew up.  Had over 50 species of birds noted for my parent’s little yard up there, back in the day…Jonathan

Sent from my iPhone

On May 12, 2017, at 4:26 PM, Diann Stone <dstoneak2id@gmail.com> wrote:

I am on the Boise Depot Bench with my first ever backyard feeder bird of Lazuli Bunting male, 4:04 pm today.

Disnn Stone
On May 12, 2017 3:42 PM, “Bird birdkimliebich@gmail.com [ible]” <ible-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I just happened to look at my feeder a moment ago, and saw my “first of bird feeder” Lazuli Bunting.  The Lazuli Bunting was my ‘Spark bird” for getting me hooked on birding back when I was 14 in May of 1975.  In the few moments following, 4 more male Lazuli Buntings joined him, for a total of 5, along with a pair of House Finches and a lone American Goldfinch.  Definitely made my day, as the weather continues to drizzle outside…  Jonathan, HSB area

=)kim liebich
Boise Idaho

[IBLE] FOBF – my Spark bird

I am on the Boise Depot Bench with my first ever backyard feeder bird of Lazuli Bunting male, 4:04 pm today.

Disnn Stone

On May 12, 2017 3:42 PM, “Bird birdkimliebich@gmail.com [ible]” <ible-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I just happened to look at my feeder a moment ago, and saw my “first of bird feeder” Lazuli Bunting.  The Lazuli Bunting was my ‘Spark bird” for getting me hooked on birding back when I was 14 in May of 1975.  In the few moments following, 4 more male Lazuli Buntings joined him, for a total of 5, along with a pair of House Finches and a lone American Goldfinch.  Definitely made my day, as the weather continues to drizzle outside…  Jonathan, HSB area

 

=)kim liebich
Boise Idaho

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