Agree with your identifications of species & Louisa’s comments as to molting, etc.
On the east side of Idaho, I spend a lot of time along Main Snake River riparian regions & a fair amount on Henry’s Fk & South Fk of the Snake. Overall, I would have to say, bird numbers seem decreased to me. In my backyard, the only exceptions would be Black-headed Grosbeaks & House Finches, numbers of which are still solid. But, as you’ve noted for your area, my hummingbird numbers are visibly decreased. Compared to this time last year, 75+% fewer. I can’t necessarily chalk it up to the heat & wildfire smoke, as in 1988 (yr of Yellowstone Fires), we had record numbers of hummingbirds. I was filling three 8 oz nectar feeders daily.
Now, I’m only filling one feeder with 6 oz (to prevent waste), as I’m cleansing & re-filling the feeder daily, because of the heat. And, I don’t want the sugar to turn to alcohol. Even with filling only 6 oz, I’m still wasting 2-3 oz daily. Suspect, many factors are at play which are not necessarily good for our feathered friends.
My wife and I were walking with friends in the Hidden Springs area this morning and came across some birds we need help identifying.
I believe these are an immature Says Pheobe, an immature Lazuli Bunting and a Western Wood Pewee. Any corrections would be welcome.
Also wondering if any of you in the Boise area that feed the birds noticed a major decline in birds coming to the feeders this spring and summer. We are down about 90% from last
year. American Goldfinches disappeared completely by mid-March and have not returned. We saw one on our hike today and one a few weeks back north of Eagle. Made for a very boring year in the yard, although we have saved a few hundred dollars on seed. Humming
birds were very late in arriving and their numbers are down significantly, as well.
Had a new one this evening. A female Spotted Towhee feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. There was also a juvenile Spotted Towhee nearby, but couldn’t tell who it belonged to, as several adult Towhees about.
Also had a Gray Catbird come through, working among the cottonwoods. I’ve heard several this summer & know they’ve nested on place in the past. BC Hummingbird males & females hitting the feeder & female Rufous. I thought with the heat & smoke, I’d get a lot more hummer visitors. But, if anything, numbers are down.
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
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