*WEEKLY SIGHTINGS*
The waterbird survey on Nov 15 included a LONG-TAILED DUCK, Tundra Swan –
28, Trumpeter Swan – 42, Canada Goose – 16, Mallard – 1410, Northern
Pintail – 7, American Wigeon – 169, Northern Shoveler – 20, Green-winged
Teal – 6, Canvasback – 2, Redhead – 17, Lesser Scaup – 104, Ring-necked
Duck – 41, Common Goldeneye – 3, Bufflehead – 6, Ruddy Duck – 14, Eared
Grebe – 1, Common Merganser – 4, Red-breasted Merganser – 3, Hooded
Merganser – 10, American Coot – 80, Long-billed Dowitcher – 4.
An interesting Ring-billed Gull vs Crayfish observation was made at Bear
Lake NWR this week. The gull was trying to swallow the crayfish whole. But
it must have pinched on the way down as it then exited the gull’s bill and
got away! The results of the weekly waterbird survey included Canada Goose
– 131, Trumpeter Swan – 54 adults + 20 cygnets, Mallard – 42, American
Wigeon – 48, Northern Shoveler – 12, Gadwall – 6, Common Goldeneye – 129,
Bufflehead – 5, Lesser Scaup – 20, Canvasback – 4, Redhead – 2, Ruddy Duck
– 1, Common Merganser – 9, American Coot – 415, Western Grebe – 6,
California Gull – 6. Best public viewing is on Mud Lake along North Beach
Road and the southeast corner of Mud Lake along Merkley Lake Road.
Up to 5 CATTLE EGRETS and 2 SABINE’S GULLS are still being found at the
Lake Walcott Spillway at Minidoka NWR. Other sightings at the refuge this
week include Mallard, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common
Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Western
Grebe, Eared Grebe , Common Loon, Eared American White Pelican, and
Bonaparte’s Gull. The big movement of Snow Geese, Tunda Swans and Trumpeter
Swans throughout SE ID this past week seems to still be continuing but
waning. On the upswing are reports of winter finches, including Evening
Grosbeaks and COMMON REDPOLL at Minidoka NWR.
Thank you for your interest!
If you want to know about all that we’re doing at Bear Lake, Camas, Gray’s
Lake and Minidoka Refuges, check us out and Like us at
https://www.facebook.com/SEIdahoRefuges/. We have posts this week
recognizing our veterans, audio of sandhill cranes, and roosting eagles at
Camas NWR.
Steven F. Kahl
Deputy Project Leader
Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex
4425 Burley Dr., Ste. A
Chubbuck, ID 83202
P (208) 237-6615 ext 112
F (208) 237-8213
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