Spring Migration Continues here in the Highlands/North End area of Boise. What a great time of year to be outside listening to âour fine feathered friendsâ.
Overall my observation and naming of this migration around the house as âThe Warblerless Springâ continues. Since my last post I have heard one Nashville Warbler and that has been it. However, there have been some other goodies. I will keep these brief. I am not covering every bird I have seen â just the highlights.
Wednesday the 17th had an all time new yard bird for me a singing Swainsonâs Thrush. Given we have been in this house for 24 years, all time new yard birds donât happen very often.
With the cold weather mid last week I really had a pileup of Lazuli Buntings at the feeder. At one point I counted 40 or so at one time. A few Black-headed Grosbeaks joined them. Lesser Goldfinches are still coming into the thistle feeder. Also I noticed on cold mornings the hummingbirds would not seem to show up at the feeders until it had warmed up a bit. I donât know if they need to thaw out a bit from the cold or what. Or, I may be imagining things.
For the last few days there have been a small number of Western Tanagers in the area.
Friday the 19th I had a pair of Red Crossbills flying around. They would land in the top of pines and I got a good look at them, which is rare for them to sit still. For the past several years there has been a small flock of crossbills in the neighborhood during the spring. So, these were not unexpected.
Saturday the 20th I heard my first Chipping Sparrows of the spring and also had a small flock of Cedar Waxwings fly through. A number of Ruby-crowned Kinglets were singing up a storm. It is always amazing at how loud such a small bird can be.
Today the 22nd brought the first Western Wood-Pewee of the year singing away from one of our neighborâs Cottonwoods. I also heard a lone Pine Siskin. The last time I saw one of those was probably last December or January when there was a single visit to the thistle feeder. I never have been able to figure out when they come and go. They seem to be the neighborhood vagabonds.
Finally, last week I happened to look out my office window in the locust tree in our front yard. There was a Robin starting to build a nest. She would fly down to the ground, pick up pieces of grass and such, and then head back up into the branches. I watched her do that for 30 minutes or so and it was amazing how much progress she made. Unfortunately, then one of the numerous storms blew through and totally destroyed her nest in process. Undeterred I watched her the next morning start the process all over again â again to have the nest blown apart in the afternoon. And, that has been it. She must have moved on to green pastures. I guess the old adage of âFool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on meâ applies to Robins as well.
Scott Tuthill
