Yes, thanks for the information – very interesting.

There has been a significant influx or irruption of Vermilion Flycatchers to higher-than-usual latitudes, this fall (going back to at least October), from the Great Lakes region (northern Wisconsin, western Pennsylvania, Ontario, Ohio) to central Quebec, the north coast of California, and in the interior west (Loveland Colorado, Provo Utah).  And this arrival timing, in late fall, is consistent with previous Idaho records (November 2022 in Salmon, late October 2019 in Nampa).  So, while this is an exciting record, it fits an established pattern and is hard to attribute to a particular weather event (though the overall pattern may well reflect climate change).

Male Vermillion Flycatcher is at a private residence but owners are fine with birders coming.  You can park in the driveway as it is a loop. Homeoner’s names are Paige & Tucker.

Holding off filling my platform feeder for a week appears to have worked! I started refilling yesterday & the bird visitors appear unmolested by Sharp-shinned Hawks. Of course, now I’m going through more sunflower seeds again. 

 

Today, had a large group of American Goldfinches arrive & between grit from the gravel drive & the feeder seeds, seem to have been well-satisfied. Others: House Finches, BC Chickadees, RB Nuthatches, Spotted Towhees, DE Juncos & Song Sparrows. Trumpeter Swan flyovers are common now. Best birds today have been a couple of Lesser Goldfinches mixed in with the American flock. Very striking & easy to distinguish. 

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot