Category Archives: Listserv Posts

Listserv Posts

Snow Geese

Had my first-of-year formation of about 60 Snow Geese flyover this AM. The big groups of Trumpeter Swans that had been roosting on the Snake have dwindled to, last night, maybe 10 birds. There’s been a huge push northward, starting about 5 days ago, of both Swan types, Canada Geese, Mallards &, now, seeing the Snows. I usually hear them, before spotting. This AM was no different. Heard their non-stop “chattering talk” as they flew overhead. 

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Listserv Posts

Forty Birds and a flyover

Today was the 20th consecutive day where I was able to identify 40 or more birds. Since some of the waterfowl have started to leave, it has been getting a little harder, and I haven’t had a Sandhill Crane flyover to help me in about a week. But today, when I got back to Esther Simplot with only 39 birds, I was considering whether I should extend my ride. It was getting pretty warm, and I was definitely overdressed, but then, like a “deus ex machina” in a play, I was rescued.

 

I heard, and then saw, a small V formation of swans, flying over my location at Quinn’s Pond. At first I thought they must be Snow Geese, but they were BIG, and there was no black on the wings. The sound was somewhat similar to the cranes, and I have now listened to lots of recordings of both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans (at the time and then at home) and I’ve concluded they had to be Tundra Swans. This is definitely a first for me and my little corner of the greenbelt.

I wonder who will fly over tomorrow?

Tom McCabe, Boise

Listserv Posts

announcing an Oregon Woodpecker Festival

Delete if you do not want to read about your neighboring state. Good birding, judy, jmeredit@…

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Announcing the 10th Annual Dean Hale Woodpecker festival.  Online registration opens April 1. The Festival is headquartered in beautiful Sisters, Oregon and takes place June 4-7, 2020.  This is a very popular festival and most tours fill very quickly, sometimes within a day of registration opening. This year, participants have a choice of twenty-nine guided tours in search of 11 different woodpecker species and 200 other birds that make central Oregon a birding hot spot.     Study the list of trips in advance of registration to be sure you can be ready to sign up early on April 1.

The non-profit East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) sponsors the Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival, which offers a fun, friendly, casual atmosphere that is all about the birds. The trips are affordable, limited in size and guided by two local volunteers.  The proceeds support ECAS education and conservation projects.  

 Tour details, registration and more information website: http://www.ecaudubon.org/dean-hale-woodpecker-festival.   Questions can be directed to dhwf2020@… or Sherrie Pierce 541-548-4641.   

 
Listserv Posts

Evening Grosbeaks

For the past 2 wks my daily AM & evening ritual has been to count the Trumpeter Swans coming in to roost & then take off every AM from the Snake, below home. Most I’ve counted has been 165, avg 150. I can set my watch by their AM departure, 10:15 every morning. They sleep in, leaving a good 45 min after the geese have pulled out. Canada Geese number sev thousand. Last evening & this AM, fewer numbers, as I believe their northward migration has started. 

At the feeder this AM, I had my first of yr Evening Grosbeaks. A total of 4, 1 male & 3 female. The Blue Jay continues to come in for black-oil sunflower seeds & whole corn, daily. The House Finches & Am Goldfinches are getting brighter colors. The Mt Chickadee continues to come to the feeder but the Pine Siskins have moved on. 

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot