Hey JT thx for sharing your photos of that beautiful country, looked like a great adventure you guys had !! =)
Of course I’m Curious George re discussion generated on FB, yay v. nay, significant finer points, etc….

From: “Jason Talbot”
To: “Larry Arnold”
Cc: “IBLE”
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2019 12:56:57 PM
Subject: Re: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

Yes, I agree with you Larry. I wouldn’t leave it in eBird unless I had better feedback in the affirmative. I figured it would generate some responses and it did on Facebook. I appreciate all the help. I’ll leave it in there as a note because I don’t have enough evidence to confirm this sighting. Maybe Carl will make it up there before the snow flies. I didn’t try taping because I didn’t have White-tailed Ptarmigan sounds on my app. I also couldn’t search for long because I had my friend scared half to death up there and I had a long hike across rugged terrain to go before dark.

This is kind of like a Bigfoot sighting. There are a lot of blurry photos of Bigfoot but nothing to prove that it exists. Haha

Jason

On ‎Thursday‎, ‎September‎ ‎12‎, ‎2019‎ ‎03‎:‎35‎:‎45‎ ‎AM‎ ‎MDT, LARRY ARNOLD larnold47@cableone.net [ible] wrote:

Jason, this may or may not help you with a decision regarding your encounter, but here are some considerations…

In my experience, ptarmigan are generally not shy and are very responsive to playback. I’ve had them practically land at my feet, clucking softly (not their usual scream) and starring me down, both summer and winter. The latter experience was while X-skiing above Aspen.

I find only four IBRC records in Idaho, all reported during Oct-Mar, most recently 27 years ago. This is in spite of birders looking for them in likely locations in the Selkirks, and maybe even in the Purcells and Cabinets. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the species on my eBird list without seeing the bird(s), knowing they aren’t shy. I’ve made mistakes with “identification by vocals-only” that turned out to be mammals, vegetation squeaking in a breeze, or juvies of other bird species. Without photo-documentation, or at least a good decisive visual, my tendency with eBird lists would be to enter notes in the “general comments” for reference purposes only..

In other locations where I’ve lived and birded, our rule-of-thumb *even* for annually expected migrants was that first-of-year birds need to be seen, especially if they were early dates. This should add perspective for a first WTPT encounter in Idaho in nearly 30 yrs. Maybe?

FWIW, Larry

From: “Jason Talbot jason.talbot1@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:18:24 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details [ https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 | https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 ]

This link contains photos from the trip [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 ]

One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ ]

My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!

Jason Talbot
Eagle, ID

Yes, I agree with you Larry. I wouldn’t leave it in eBird unless I had better feedback in the affirmative. I figured it would generate some responses and it did on Facebook. I appreciate all the help. I’ll leave it in there as a note because I don’t have enough evidence to confirm this sighting. Maybe Carl will make it up there before the snow flies. I didn’t try taping because I didn’t have White-tailed Ptarmigan sounds on my app. I also couldn’t search for long because I had my friend scared half to death up there and I had a long hike across rugged terrain to go before dark.
This is kind of like a Bigfoot sighting. There are a lot of blurry photos of Bigfoot but nothing to prove that it exists. Haha
Jason

On ‎Thursday‎, ‎September‎ ‎12‎, ‎2019‎ ‎03‎:‎35‎:‎45‎ ‎AM‎ ‎MDT, LARRY ARNOLD larnold47@cableone.net [ible] wrote:

Jason, this may or may not help you with a decision regarding your encounter, but here are some considerations…

In my experience, ptarmigan are generally not shy and arevery responsive to playback.  I’ve hadthem practically land at my feet, clucking softly (not their usual scream) andstarring me down, both summer and winter. The latter experience was while X-skiing above Aspen.    

I find only four IBRC records in Idaho, all reported during Oct-Mar,most recently 27 years ago.  This is in spiteof birders looking for them in likely locations in the Selkirks, and maybe evenin the Purcells and Cabinets..  I wouldn’tfeel comfortable with the species on my eBird list without seeing the bird(s), knowingthey aren’t shy.  I’ve made mistakes with“identification by vocals-only” that turned out to be mammals, vegetation squeakingin a breeze, or juvies of other bird species. Without photo-documentation, or at least a good decisive visual, my tendency with eBird lists would be to enternotes in the “general comments” for reference purposes only..

In other locations where I’ve lived and birded, our rule-of-thumb *even* for annually expected migrants was that first-of-year birds need to beseen, especially if they were early dates. This should add perspective for a first WTPT encounter in Idaho in nearly 30 yrs.  Maybe?

FWIW, Larry

From: “Jason Talbot jason.talbot1@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:18:24 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613
This link contains photos from the trip https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201
One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/
My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!
Jason TalbotEagle, ID

After 4 days of Stormy Weather including some incredible cloudburst that
lasted for hours, this morning I had two Hummers Hummers. one for sure was
a black-chinned and I’m assuming the other was also. They were together and
that’s what I’ve been seeing. Also I still have a Say’s Phoebe hanging
around and I had house finches , magpies and the meadowlarks were singing
like crazy this morning. Today is bright and sunny and the birds are
enjoying it as much as I am!

Jason, this may or may not help you with a decision regarding your encounter, but here are some considerations…

In my experience, ptarmigan are generally not shy and are very responsive to playback. I’ve had them practically land at my feet, clucking softly (not their usual scream) and starring me down, both summer and winter. The latter experience was while X-skiing above Aspen.

I find only four IBRC records in Idaho, all reported during Oct-Mar, most recently 27 years ago. This is in spite of birders looking for them in likely locations in the Selkirks, and maybe even in the Purcells and Cabinets. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the species on my eBird list without seeing the bird(s), knowing they aren’t shy. I’ve made mistakes with “identification by vocals-only” that turned out to be mammals, vegetation squeaking in a breeze, or juvies of other bird species. Without photo-documentation, or at least a good decisive visual, my tendency with eBird lists would be to enter notes in the “general comments” for reference purposes only.

In other locations where I’ve lived and birded, our rule-of-thumb *even* for annually expected migrants was that first-of-year birds need to be seen, especially if they were early dates. This should add perspective for a first WTPT encounter in Idaho in nearly 30 yrs. Maybe?

FWIW, Larry

From: “Jason Talbot jason.talbot1@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:18:24 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details [ https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 | https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 ]

This link contains photos from the trip [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 ]

One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ ]

My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!

Jason Talbot
Eagle, ID

Brian,
Actually looks like our biggest push was about 2-3 wks ago, and we’re now down to about two of each, Black-chin and Rufous….
Our salvias, agastache, fireweed, and others are at peak bloom and we’re halfway expecting an Anna’s…..
Hummers have been concentrated in our volunteer sunflower forest, grabbing insects between licks of sugar-water =)
Larry

From: “lcarrigan_55@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Monday, September 9, 2019 6:42:00 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Hummingbird Migration

Like Peggy’s report from Idaho Falls, west of Blackfoot, I’ve only had a single female Black-chinned visiting the feeder. Went fly-fishing on Henry’s Fk this weekend & yest, on my return, my hummingbird feeder had hardly dropped. Saw a female Black-chinned about 6 PM Sun.

Seems as if the west side of the state has a rush coming through now, as per Larry’s report. My largest numbers about 3 wks ago were Rufous, followed by Calliope.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot

Awesome and congrats Jonathan !!

This morning at our feeders were our FOS Cassin’s Finches, at least 3 birds incl 2 males… =)
Larry

From: “Jonathan Barnett jrb4jc@hotmail.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2019 9:26:36 AM
Subject: [IBLE] First-ever Yard bird

Late-summer migrants are steadily passing through, and stopping to check out my crabapple tree and the berries on my honeysuckle bushes.

This morning, I had the nice surprise of a new little warbler foraging in my rock garden: Orange-crowned Warbler Bumping my yard list up to #75.

Everyone have a great Fall season – only 12 days away! Jonathan, HSB

Sent from [ https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986 |
Mail ] for Windows 10

and I neglected to mention an important reason (hedging here) why those four reports of WTPT in N Idaho were accepted by IBRC…..
during Oct thru Apr they’re in their unmistakable winter plumage, eh?

From: “Larry Arnold”
To: “Jason Talbot”
Cc: “IBLE”
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2019 6:35:38 AM
Subject: Re: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

Jason, this may or may not help you with a decision regarding your encounter, but here are some considerations…

In my experience, ptarmigan are generally not shy and are very responsive to playback. I’ve had them practically land at my feet, clucking softly (not their usual scream) and starring me down, both summer and winter. The latter experience was while X-skiing above Aspen.

I find only four IBRC records in Idaho, all reported during Oct-Mar, most recently 27 years ago. This is in spite of birders looking for them in likely locations in the Selkirks, and maybe even in the Purcells and Cabinets. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the species on my eBird list without seeing the bird(s), knowing they aren’t shy. I’ve made mistakes with “identification by vocals-only” that turned out to be mammals, vegetation squeaking in a breeze, or juvies of other bird species. Without photo-documentation, or at least a good decisive visual, my tendency with eBird lists would be to enter notes in the “general comments” for reference purposes only.

In other locations where I’ve lived and birded, our rule-of-thumb *even* for annually expected migrants was that first-of-year birds need to be seen, especially if they were early dates. This should add perspective for a first WTPT encounter in Idaho in nearly 30 yrs. Maybe?

FWIW, Larry

From: “Jason Talbot jason.talbot1@yahoo.com [ible]”
To: “IBLE”
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2019 10:18:24 AM
Subject: [IBLE] Ptarmigan in the Selkirks?

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details [ https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 | https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613 ]

This link contains photos from the trip [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201 ]

One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ | https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/ ]

My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!

Jason Talbot
Eagle, ID

Late-summer migrants are steadily passing through, and stopping to check out my crabapple tree and the berries on my honeysuckle bushes.
This morning, I had the nice surprise of a new little warbler foraging in my rock garden: Orange-crowned Warbler Bumping my yard list up to #75.
Everyone have a great Fall season – only 12 days away! Jonathan, HSB

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

I took advantage of the unsettled weather and spent most of Sunday seeking
migrants in north-central Idaho. Active landbird migration is often
difficult to observe in this area (except for at the UI Arboretum), but
Sunday was a major exception. Every stop was practically dripping with
expected migrant songbirds, as well as with light rain. The best stop was
the UI Arboretum in Moscow, where I had the CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER,
AMERICAN REDSTART, and many additional migrants as previously reported and
detailed in eBird: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59610273. 2
Red-necked Phalaropes were at the Genesee Sewage Lagoon. Next, I birded
the IDFG Wildlife Habitat Area in Lewiston Orchards which produced a late
EASTERN KINGBIRD plus a good crop of migrant flycatchers, vireos, warblers,
and sparrows. Mann Lake had a nice selection of the expected shorebirds, a
few other waterbirds, but again the main action was with migrant songbirds
in the vegetation including warblers, sparrows, and another late-ish
EASTERN KINGBIRD. Spalding Site (Nez Perce National Historic Park) was the
slowest stop of the day, but a couple hundred Violet-Green Swallows were
streaming overhead and down the Clearwater River. An early COMMON LOON was
in the Port of Lewiston and the shrubs there also had migrants. Hell’s
Gate SP had a few small flocks of migrants including a late YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT and a nice LEWIS’S WOODPECKER which appears to be a first for that
well-birded site. Finally, I returned to Moscow and the UI Arboretum
around 6:15PM, searched for half an hour and was about to give up when I
heard the smacking somewhat junco-like calls of the Chestnut-sided
Warbler. I briefly observed it in the Prospector Elms northeast of the
upper pond, and then it flew into the spruces directly north of the pond,
where it chipped for another minute and then apparently went to bed, and I
headed home. A great day to be out observing migrants, which I wished
would never end.

Monday, I birded the UI Arboretum for an hour after work and observed my
second GRAY FLYCATCHER for north Idaho along with still a good crop of
common western migrants.

Good Birding,

Carl Lundblad
Moscow, Idaho

I’d appreciate any feedback from a checklist that I submitted for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I have no experience with this species but am convinced I ran across a couple in the Selkirks last week by sound only and after some research (I didn’t see them). See checklist for details https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59523613
This link contains photos from the trip https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/albums/72157710771356201
One phenomenon I experienced were thousands of moths everywhere. They were all over my tent, in the truck, everywhere we went in the Priest Lake area and up the valley toward the Canadian border. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess with that many moths, the Grizzlies make an effort to eat them assuming they’re the same kind. The following video shows what I mean (seen on the water) https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/48708176838/in/album-72157710771356201/
My coworker and I did several hikes in the Selkirks, hiked to Upper Priest Falls and canoed to Upper Priest Lake. Very cool country up north!
Jason TalbotEagle, ID