Had a new one this evening. A female Spotted Towhee feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. There was also a juvenile Spotted Towhee nearby, but couldn’t tell who it belonged to, as several adult Towhees about. 

 

Also had a Gray Catbird come through, working among the cottonwoods. I’ve heard several this summer & know they’ve nested on place in the past. BC Hummingbird males & females hitting the feeder & female Rufous. I thought with the heat & smoke, I’d get a lot more hummer visitors. But, if anything, numbers are down. 

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot 

Sitting on back deck right now, watching a female Rufous & a male Black-chinned tangle with each other for ports at the nectar feeder. Nowhere near your numbers, Bill. But, enough to keep things exciting. 

 

Had 3 different hen Turkeys coming in, up until a couple weeks ago. Have gone silent lately, so will probably start showing  with young for spilled sunflower seeds from the platform feeder, before too long. Others with young: BH Grosbeaks, Bullock’s Orioles, Lazuli Buntings, House Finches, House Wrens, American Goldfinches, American Robins, Yellow Warblers, Cedar Waxwings, BC Chickadees, Western Wood-Pewees & RN Sapsuckers. 

 

Plus, a flyover by a wildfire-fighter air tanker out of Pocatello, awhile ago. Unfortunately, that time of year. 

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot 

I had several male rufous week of 7/10, maybe a little longer. Now none seen recently. Just have to try and find females among flocks. Numbers down some from past, but averaging over a quart per day, so 200+.

Turkeys still hunkered down up the hill raising their broods.

Bill Moore

Hoot Owl 

Inkom

Finally, Rufous Hummingbirds appeared at my feeder this evening about 7:30. An adult female & a juvenile have been coming in for past half hour & giving an adult male Black-chinned fits! 

 

But, what was really fascinating to me was the Rufous’ arrival. This year I moved my nectar feeder off of a deck hangar & onto a post hangar about 30 ft into the yard. Allows for better binocular views & I don’t scare them, going in & out of house, or reading on the deck. The female must have, literally, just arrived & been here in the past. As she suddenly “appeared” at the exact level & spot where the feeder used to be located off the deck rail. It took her a few twists & turns to find the new location & she hasn’t been back to the deck since. 

 

I’ve read hummingbirds remember flower locations & those of feeders, as well. But, to witness it was, indeed, exciting. We should all be so lucky with our memory to be…”bird-brained”! 

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot 

Bill Moore

Hoot Owl

Inkom Id

Teresa Meachum

Idaho Falls

Sent by my iPhone. 

There is a Heermann’s Gull at Henry’s Lake state park. Currently standing in the parking lot.