Category Archives: Listserv Posts

Re: Curiosity Question

Slower on this side of Blackfoot as well, although YH Blackbirds are as numrous as always. We have several pairs of House Wrens nesting and serenading and a few W Tanagers visiting the pot fountain. Bullock’s Orioles are fairly plentiful, but not in our usual numbers. Only a few BH Grosbeaks, Cassin’s Finches, Yellow Warblers, and BC Hummers. I’m hearing Western Wood Peewees but have only seen one. The same with Meadow Larks. Last year we had Evening Grosbeaks galore all summer, but only one brief visit by a male a vew weeks ago. Still an occasional Lazuli Bunting but not in earlier numbers. We’re waking to Ring-necked Pheasant call but no Sand Hill Cranes. California Quail abound. Strange year.
 
Patty Gailey
Blackfoot
(By the Blackfoot River)

Re: Curiosity Question

I was birding in the Portal area of Arizona this spring from April 21-24 and compared to the year before when we were there, the migration was behind. Things were just starting to ‘heat up” on our last day there, and it seems to me at least, this slower migration has also been noted here in southern Idaho, as well. Interesting.

Re: Curiosity Question

I’ve actually felt like arrivals in Island Park were a little
early this year, especially Western Tanagers which got here five
or six days ago. I haven’t checked my records to confirm that
they’re early but that’s what it seems like. We’ve got pretty much
all the breeding species now including Olive-sided Flycatcher and
Pine Siskin. There are also quite a few Three-toed Woodpeckers
drumming in the area, more than I typically hear close to the
house. Interesting how different it is locally.

Cliff

Curiosity Question

So, it seems to me, compared to last few springs, that I’m having a “slower” arrival of birds. Mainly: BC Hummingbirds, House Wrens, Bullock’s Orioles & W Tanagers, as I’ve seen one House Wren, 1 Bullock’s & zero W Tanager. And, both by observation & drainage at my nectar feeder, appears I have only 3 BC Hummingbirds. 
 
There are good numbers of Yellow Warblers & BH Grosbeaks, but they’re the only ones close to what I would consider a good spring arrival of numbers. Just wondering how other observers out there are faring with spring migration numbers? 
 
Brian Carrigan 
Blackfoot 

Great-tailed Grackle at Black’s Creek Preserve.

Hi birders,
This morning Amy & I found 2 individuals.  Both were males. Long blackbird with glossy plumage showing iridescent blue about the head, thick-based bill, eye like Brewer’s. Long, curved tail. One was moving along the far shore on the east side, so not too far away. Then we saw another on the near shore; we had to make sure it wasn’t the other bird that had moved. This bird was a better view, it was making its way westwards along the near shore. Both birds flew short distances now and again. 
I see no previous sightings of this species at Blacks.
Happy birding,
Amy Bechtel & John Shortis.