Interesting. Over our 35+ yrs along the Snake River, have found that areas of E ID to the north & east of us tend to get migrant songbirds a WK to 10 days before they start showing here. Have always watched the reports from Mud Lake & Camas, esp for warbler sightings. As, can usually count on seeing same here about a week later. Appears, works out with the Swainson’s, too. 

Brian Carrigan 
Blackfoot

Just returned home after taking a Sun morning drive over to Sun Valley. Coming back home, saw my first Swainson’s Hawk of the year at Carey. It flew right overhead, so I pulled over & put binocs on it to confirm the field markings. Then, just NW of Blackfoot on Hwy 26, saw my 2nd Swainson’s of the day. I’m going to have to check my records, but believe this is my earliest date of arrival for Swainson’s Hawk. 

Back home, still have good numbers of Cassin’s Finches hitting the sunflower seeds. Yesterday, counted at least 20. 

Brian Carrigan 
Blackfoot

Today, have seen up to 18 Cassin’s Finches (9 males & 9 females) at a time at the feeder. As noted in Sibley’s, they tend to forage moreso on the ground for scattered seed, than up on the platform itself. Haven’t seen this many in a number of years. Hope they’re not done coming through! 

Others: White-crowned Sparrows, House Finches, American Goldfinches, BC Chickadees, RB Nuthatches & RW Blackbirds visiting the black-oil sunflower seeds. I also put out the thistle seed feeder, in hopes of attracting Pine Siskins. The goldfinches found it, right off! 

Brian Carrigan 
Blackfoot

Thanks for the report, Bill. Guess I’ll put a feeder out now. Given the vagaries of weather lately, was tentatively waiting for first of May. My first spring arrivals are usually Black-chinneds. So, will see when one shows up. 

Brian Carrigan 
Blackfoot

First hummer just now, Broad Tail. Feeders have been up three or so days. We also have had Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and Cassins Finches, with their baseball caps.

Bill Moore
Hoot Owl Rd
Inkom