Since warmer weather is heading our way, and breeding season is coming to an end, I’m assuming that my daily numbers are going to decline, but it’s been a good run. The last time I missed identifying at least 40 species was May 8, just before Mother’s Day. Since then I’ve had 4 days of 50+, including today’s ride with 57 birds. Of course the biggest days usually meant a longer ride, and today’s was 25 miles, but a great day. I even got to bird with Larry Arnold! And today included 6 raptors: BAEA, RTHA, AMKE, SWHA, OSPR, and COHA. The Swainson’s flew over my back yard as I was finishing dinner.
I’m hoping I’m wrong about diminishing numbers, but just being on my bike and looking for birds is a pleasant relief from the craziness that surrounds our daily lives.
Welcome to flycatcher jeopardy. The only way I’ve been able to identify the smaller fly catchers is by recording their sound. I’ve even seen them today on nests in northern Gem County and couldn’t identify them without a recording.
As far north that you are not too far out of range amer.bird conservancy guide show all fly catchers all on opposing pages its only fly cat .faint eye ring i vote alder
On June 7th I spotted this bird at Kootenai Wildlife Refuge auto tour route. When I got home I listened to the calls on ibird pro and deduced it to be an Alder Flycatcher but it is not listed as being in the area. I went back up today to get a sound recording and briefly may have seen the bird but no call before it flew. KWR was very busy and windy so gave up the search. Can anyone help me with what it is. Thanks, Linda
I’m thinking the birds you saw were Cassia Crossbills. They were recognized as a different species in 2017 and only reside near the area that you found them. They’re similar to the Red Crossbill except the Cassias are thicker-billed.
We, too, have lost our nighthawk population in eastern Emmett. What were 50 in the evening skies of summer is now 1. They used to sleep during the day in our vineyard rows! The problem must have commenced when West Nile arrived and mosquito abatement districts sprang up. Even with our no spray designation, the nighttime insect life is quiet. Our western kingbird and says phoebe numbers stay steady, maybe even larger than 20 years ago, but they are mostly daytime feeders.
Someone else mentioned more Bewicks wrens, which we’ve seen, along with extra YB chats. And I can’t walk 20 ft without seeing a Eurasian collared dove… crikey.
Liz Medes
Gem County
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