The flooding is only temporary.
Re: Eagle Island State Park construction surprise
Yin Yang. Those dry fields when flooded will host waterfowl and waders. Water snakes and frogs. There is a shortage of camping spots and it might allow birders from afar to stay and enjoy our valley.
Years ago the waste land that is now Lake Harbor was home to scores of pheasants, which are now gone. Instead, silver lake sports cormorants and loons seasonally. We can enjoy them all. Change is tough but each one of us has helped change this valley as we moved in or had children to grow the population.
We just have to involve ourselves to ensure positive change.
Dean Jones
“A world of facts lies outside and beyond the world of words.” Thomas Huxley
208-859-0072
Re: Eagle Island State Park construction surprise
Do you think they even thought of that? More importantly, do they even care?
Eagle Island State Park construction surprise
Went birding in Eagle Island State Park today after having not been there since summer. While I did see some nice birds, the surprise was the construction. The State Park is building a 50-unit RV park. During the construction period much of the eastern and southern part of the park is accessible only on foot and you’ll need to park either at the fish hatchery or at the main parking area. Several of the old buildings are being refurbished as well. The high water table in the construction site means they are pumping water and flooding fields so you can’t reach the old slaughterhouse area by walking through the field from the main road. Wonder how this will affect future birding here.
—
IDBL-CBC – Bear Lake Christmas Bird Count
Greetings Birders!
I am looking for assistance on the Bear Lake Valley CBC (IDBL), which includes the cities of Montpelier, Paris, Bloomington, and Dingle (see attached map of circle boundaries). Most roads will be snow packed and this part of the state is sparsely populated with Montpelier as the largest city within the CBC circle. This CBC also includes parts of Bear Lake, several small towns with fascinating histories, and comes close to the border of Wyoming.
The Bear Lake Valley CBC will be on Wednesday, January 3. If you are interested and are able to help, please contact me directly at 208-721-0884 by phone or text. I will give you the details and more information on this CBC. Thank you!
Regards,
Micah Austin
Ammon, Idaho
208-721-0884
Re: Birders galore
I’m pretty new to Idaho bird watching, but want to echo the general feeling going forward from Cheryl and Tom’s comments. I’ve only been in this area for 10 years, and I pursue birds as photographic subjects rather than keeping that yearly list. (I did that for decades, and did research on birds). Now it’s so rewarding to just look for a special, particular bird and try to get a good shot. The birders I have met while out doing that are so kind and helpful and compelling in their searches for our avian companions on our planet. Thank you to all!
Virginia Rivers
Re: Birders galore
It was great seeing you again Tom! I miss your Minimum Daily Requirements reports of birds seen. And also your once in a while Poetry! And so glad you are still out biking and birding!
Cheryl
Birders galore
Between yesterday and today, I have seen more birders than I’ve seen in ages. Nothing like a Black and White warbler to bring out the crowds. It was great to see old friends and great to meet new folks.
While I didn’t see the BWWA today, I got to see the feathered crowd he’s been hanging out with. The Brown Creeper and White-breasted Nuthatch are birds I don’t always get to see as I roll along the bike path.
My biggest treat today was to see a total of seven raptors: Merlin, Sharp-shinned, Kestrel, Red Tail, Great Horned Owl, and Bald Eagle. And then on our walk tonight we heard and saw a Western Screech Owl, a bird we haven’t encountered since
right after fledging. So seven raptors—not too shabby.
All in all, a great day.
Tom McCabe, Boise
Lightning
Obscured with clouds. When reporting sighting in area known as outlet canal please list as outlet canal whew caio
Re: Black & White Warbler
Enter Veteran’s Park off the Parkway. Turn right as soon as you enter and park by the dumpster there. Go straight down the concrete path and turn toward the river. You will cross a small canal and see two bridges, a green one to your left and a bigger brown one to your right. Go to the brown bridge and start looking for the large mixed feeding flock, BCCH, BRCR, SOSP, RCKI, DOWO. At least, as of yesterday, the flock was moving up and down the river in that riparian channel between the brown bridge and the Parkway bridge.
CGB. RL
On Mon, 11 Dec, 2023 at 11:14 AM, John Shortis via groups.io <john_shortis@…> wrote:
To: ible
Just noticed on eBird that this bird was seen by a few people yesterday.
Can anyone say whereabouts?
Thanks!
John Shortis