I’ve been out scouting south end of Lake Cascade what I might be 5 white-winged scoters last night. Did not find them there this morning but went to the other side of the lake at Campbell Creek boat launch and found a group of 25 scoters and I believe the bulk are surf and there may be two white-winged in there. Too far out for me to get decent photos. Maybe folks that are in this area can find them and get some better pictures. They’re staying out in the middle of the lake and not far from them is a group of 12 to 15 mixed loons. Again, I can’t identify these yet from my photos until I get on a big screen. There is definitely a surf scoter right now at the park by the marina and boat launch in Cascade.
Got word that Linda Wentz and Pat McGrane saw the bird around 10:30ish. It didn’t stick around long. This big front coming in may push it out so today and maybe tomorrow may be the last opportunities to see it. —
Thank you very much for expressing interest in the surveys :). Unfortunately, I gave out both the Parma and New Plymouth routes yesterday so at this point all my SW ID routes are now covered :(. There is one other option and it may be a long shot, but depending on where you live and the deadhead driving associated with it, I do have a route in the Jordan Valley area of OR that could work, again, depending on where you live. That route is about 50 miles long to survey. If you are interested, please let me know. My apologies for not having anything closer to offer you and thanks again for reaching out 🙁
Thanks to Cheryl &louisa we found the ponds but not the sharp tail it would have been a lifer for my friend. I seen& got a photo several years ago indian crk.resivior
I can commit to the survey requirements. I live in Boise and Donnelly, depending on season and family. Fruitland-New Plymouth would be my first choice. I know the area and have led field trips in that area in the past with Golden Eagle Audubon Society. Parma would be my second choice.
On November 1, the Bend, OR based East Cascades Audubon Society’s Winter Raptor Survey Project will begin its 19th survey season, 12th in Idaho. Last winter we ended with 512 active survey routes throughout OR, ID, WA, and parts of northern CA, northeastern UT, and southwestern MT covering more than 30,000 miles of transects. Over 400 survey volunteers will again survey their routes during the primary survey season of December through February. November and March are also available as optional months. This is a very large and active citizen science project that has provided a very large data base to the Peregrine Fund to augment their worldwide data base for birds of prey.
Idaho has 146 routes and the following are in need of a volunteer to do surveys this winter:
New Plymouth – Fruitland. 90 miles long Parma – Apple Valley 56 Hill City – Fairfield 110 Winchester 70 Nezperce 71 new route, never been surveyed Coeur d’Alene 75 Churchill – Oakley. 65 Heyburn 40 Acequia 39 Rupert North 69 Burley SW 54 Burley SE 31 Paul 65 new route, never been surveyed Minidoka NW 68 new route, never been surveyed Blackfoot NW 49 American Falls NW 77
We ask that our volunteers commit to one survey per month during December through February, that they have a good grasp of raptor ID, and that they have at least binoculars to search for and ID birds, spotting scopes are preferable but not required. Surveys can be scheduled any day of the month that matches up with your life schedule each month.
If this sounds like something that you would like to be a part of, please get back to me as soon as you can with your route choice(s) and I will work with you to get prepared for the effort. Surveys start in two weeks, this is a great opportunity to learn about raptors in your chosen area, hope to hear from you soon, thank you 🙂
Jeff Fleischer Project Coordinator Winter Raptor Survey Project East Cascades Audubon Society – Bend, OR (project sponsor)
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
