As many of you know, my daily routine is to try to find as many bird species as I can on my daily bike ride. Since I like round numbers, 30 is always my goal. But as I get higher into the 30’s, I start wanting to go to 40.
So yesterday and today, I reached 40 birds for the first time in a while. Yesterday’s highlight was an immature Snow Goose in a flock of CAGO’s. Of course, the flock of 5 Wild Turkeys at 24th and Bella in the North End, was way
cool also. 😉 The Snow Goose was the 40th bird for the day, and it gave me a little jolt of adrenaline.
Today’s ride was a little more difficult, since I couldn’t imagine I could do it twice in 2 days. So, when I got back to Veteran’s Pond with 38 birds counted, imagine my reaction when I saw a pair of Bald Eagles perched together in a tree
between the 2 ponds! I hadn’t seen one in a few weeks, so 2 was a real treat. The California Gull at Esther Simplot Park saved me from the ignominy of 39 birds. And I didn’t even get rained on!
White-winged Scoter continuing at Swan Falls Dam park area South of Kuna. Refound by K Pahlas. Big thanks to RL Roland for getting me on the bird this afternoon.
Continuing at our house, 3601 W Pinehurst Dr, 83703. The bird has now been with us for over a month. Danette & Matthew Henderson stopped by for a look this morning, anyone is more than welcome to do the same. Our feeders can be seen from near our large mailbox in Pinehurst Dr, on the corner with 36th St.
Blue skies with scattered clouds, 39° headed to 46° today. Snow is melting & patches of ground showing. So, after a walk down to the river, decided to enjoy the sunshine on back deck. Was watching the usual feeder visitors, House Finches & American Goldfinches with DE Juncos picking at scattered black-oil sunflower seeds on the ground. Plus, the BC Chickadees & RB Nuthatches sneaking in for a quick seed.
Suddenly, all took to flight in 3 different waves. Always amazes me by how many I underestimate their numbers to be! Would have guessed about 35 birds, total, visiting the feeder. The different waves totalled at least 75 birds. The only birds remaining, after the exodus, were 8 Chickadees giving steady 3 & 4 note alarm calls. About this time, a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in and landed in a nearby cottonwood.
The battle of wits between the Sharpie’s patience, the alarms of the chickadees & the disappearance of finches began. No idea how far away the finches’ exodus took them, as they disappeared. The chickadees stayed & would make quick, 1-seed visits to the feeder, one-by-one, while their friends kept up the alarm. It took 25 minutes for a lone House Finch to fly by &, immediately, the Sharpie was after it. A miss. The hawk then took up position in a different cottonwood about 30 yards away. The chickadees kept up their steady alarms. After 10 minutes, the Sharpie returned to its original position closer to the feeder.
By this time, 45 minutes had passed. All the sudden the Sharp-shinned Hawk flew downward to a sumac bush 20 yards away & disappeared toward the ground. Suspect, a hapless meadow vole met its demise. It’s been over an hour now, the chickadees are visiting the feeder with no apparent concerns, no longer giving alarm calls & coming in by threes & fours. And, House Finches are gradually returning to the feeder in twos & threes.
Interesting encounter! No unusual winter finch arrivals, so far, this year. But, will keep watching!
