Cooper’s vs N Goshawk? That is the question? Heavily cropped, Valley County, 2/11/24. Rich Rusnak, THANKS!

Well, what I would consider my first Spring arrival this year, a male Red-winged Blackbird, came into feeder this AM. Along our stretch of the Snake River, some days it’s Spring, other days, it’s still Winter. This pattern is usually more typical of March, but Feb has just been like that, this year. 

Best bird today was a Northern Shrike. Perched on a tall, bare cottonwood, surveying for prey. And, was glad to see my adult Bald Eagle pair perched together on a riverside snag. Their nest of past 7 years blew down in high winds last Fall. Finally, located their new nest in a little different location, but still visible through binoculars. So, can keep track of them again this year. They’ve successfully raised at least one &, usually two, young for the past 11 years in a total of 3 previous nests. Have found the Snake River corridor can serve as a “wind tunnel” at times, which will blow down eagle nests, esp as the nests increase in size over the years. 

Others: numerous Trumpeter Swans (>100 total) in multiple groups overhead. Over a thousand Canada Geese. Common Mergansers flying the river. House Finch males getting their Spring colors & RB Nuthatches & BC Chickadees hitting the feeder. A beautiful, cloud-free blue sky day!

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot 

John I’m visiting for the Pygmy NH, what part of yard is it feeding at?

Hello!

I also can’t find an option to download all of the United States packs at once for eBird mobile. I’m guessing they have it set up that way so that you just have the individual packs available for whatever state you are currently in. You wouldn’t want to be in Idaho and have all ~1,000 possible species in the U.S. show up on your expected list in eBird! 😀  Thankfully, we only have a few hundred species that show up on the Idaho bird pack. 😀

I’m sorry that isn’t more helpful, but there doesn’t appear to be a way to download the whole U.S.; you just have to download each state before you visit it. 🙁

I’m glad you asked this question, because it prompted me to download the state packs for each state that I will be going through on an upcoming road trip! 😀

Have a great week! 😀

—
Aidan Lorenz
Caldwell

The sharpie stalking our feeders was even bolder. Sat on our fence looking about like, “where did all the little birdies go?”

2″ new snow since daybreak & still coming down. My platform feeder wasn’t getting any visitors & presumed it was due to snow cover. Went out, brushed it off & refilled with black-oil sunflower seeds &, still, no visitors. Scanned the area trees & found the culprit. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is back, perched about 15′ up, 30 yards away. 

Even the Black-capped Chickadees are being wary today! Giving their alert calls, but not making many flights in for seeds. Wonder if the Sharpy was successful at taking one of their buddies recently? Anyway, the hawk has patience, may stick around for an hour or more. No House Finches, American Goldfinches or Juncos in sight.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot 

Red Winged Blackbirds showed up today, so feeders will go down even faster. Some sort of willowy calling shore bird down in marsh. Haven’t managed to see it.

Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom