This A.M dowitcher, gr.scaup cal.gull and this sand piper ?

In case anyone is looking for adventure – Tempe (IBO biologist) just texted me about a “yellow-bellied” kingbird she just saw on her drive up to Lucky Peak.  She did not notice white outer tail feathers as it flew.  Given that most Westerns are long gone by late August/early September and that Tropical Kingbirds show up along the W coast in mid to late fall almost every year, I figured it was worth getting the word out in case anyone’s out & about.
The bird was seen just above the last steep stretch as the road flattens out along the ridge towards the peak – likely 3-400 yards south of the outhouse.  Directions to Lucky Peak here: ibo.boisestate.edu/visit/#directions.  She saw it in flight then perched on cherries along road and then it flushed downhill as she drove by.

Who knows if it was a late Western or something else.  Deadlines/calls will keep me in front of my computer today … good luck to anyone who tries!
Jay

Very cool, Chuck! Does that mean you broke even after losing Thayer’s
gull? The AOU giveth and taketh away.

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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Well the Chickadees and Goldfinches seem to have finally forgiven me for taking down the sunflower feeders for hummer feeders in the summer. They’ve finally started hitting them, but no unusual fellows travelers, except a 12 second Blue Jay yesterday morning. No sign of the Blue Jay later or again.

Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom

My ride today produced 2 new arrivals that I haven’t seen in some time. The
first new arrival was 3 Greater Scaup on Veteran’s Pond, down toward the end
nearest Veteran’s Parkway. There were 2 males and a female. Unfortunately,
they were quite a distance from me, but I’m pretty sure they were Greaters.
The heads looked rounded and the white was more prominent than the white
I’ve seen on Lessers.

The second new arrival was a couple of Ring-necked Ducks on the pond in the
infield at Les Bois track, viewed from Remington St. Their white shoulder
stripe was prominent, so I had no hesitation, especially since I’ve been
waiting for them to arrive on that pond. 😉

But because of the similarities between GRSC’s and RNDU’s, I went back to
Veteran’s and took another look. The lighting was better at that time of day
and I still feel confident.

There were also more Common Mergansers along the river than I’ve seen in the
last few weeks, some of them molting into male plumage. I also had a fly-by
of a Cooper’s Hawk at Ann Morrison that stirred up a bunch of ducks but
produced no bloodshed.

Tom McCabe, Boise

Did any of my reports yesterday and today on deer flat n.w.r go thru.

4 species lower dam deer flat n.w.r west . Clark. Eared. Horned

Over 4,000 waterfowl were counted during last week’s survey at Bear Lake
National Wildlife Refuge. Species found included Canada Goose, American
Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback,
and American Coot.

Species seen along the auto tour route yesterday were 3 adult Bald Eagles,
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper,
Northern Harrier, White-crowned Sparrow, American Pipit, Marsh Wren and a
very close, but calm, striped skunk.

The auto tour route and trails at Bear Lake Refuge are open from sunrise to
sunset.

If you would like to stay apprised of everything happening at Bear Lake,
Camas, Grays Lake and Minididoka Refuges, visit and Like our Facebook page
at .

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

I did some weekend birding and exploring in the Southern Panhandle (I think
that’s a thing), mostly in Idaho, Lewis, and a bit of Clearwater Counties.
Highlights included a young male ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD Saturday evening near
the Lucile Post Office, on the Salmon River north of Riggins. This morning
I found both the male and a female ANNA’S at the same location. I had an
Anna’s at the opposite/north end of Lucile last December, but there are
very few other Idaho County records.

A few Myrtle and likely intergrade Yellow-rumped Warblers were with decent
numbers of Audubon’s and lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets feeding mostly on
emerging Hackberry Gull Psyllids along the Salmon River. In Riggins I had
a flock of 6 late CHIPPING SPARROWS both Saturday and Sunday. A late
OSPREY was on the Salmon just above Riggins this morning. Further up the
Salmon River Road, a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL was near mile 4, a young BARROW’S
GOLDENEYE was near mile 5, and a lingering Lincoln’s Sparrow was near mile
2.

This afternoon I made a final stop at the overlook above Dworshak
Dam/Bruce’s Eddy Recreation Area near Ahsahka. Just off the boat ramp were
9 SURF SCOTERS and 4 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, the later possibly a first for
Clearwater County. Photos in eBird:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39945162.

Good Birding,

Car Lundblad
Moscow, ID

Deer flat n.w.r.possibly female surf scoter they have white base of Bill
also near auriculars they were way out from lower dam