While my sightings can’t match Brian’s or Cliff’s or Chuck’s or Carl’s,
today was a pretty good day for birding in Boise, thanks to the storm. My
day began with a flock of Pine Siskins joining all the usual suspects at my
feeders, including one tame guy that may eventually be willing to eat out of
my hand. Then on my bike ride I found a small Merlin down Brumback, near
25th, followed by a large mixed raft of ducks at Quinn’s Pond. It took me a
while but I found Common Goldeneye (FOS), Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks, plus
all the regulars (Hoodies, Common Mergansers, A. Wigeons, C. Geese, A.
Coots, DC Cormorants, etc.). At Ann Morrison I found Gadwalls and Wood
Ducks,

But it was the raptors that really got the day going. An adult Cooper’s Hawk
at Ann Morrison and an immature later in my back yard. Sharp-shinned near
50th St. on the Garden City Greenbelt, in close proximity to a Red-tail (and
a Great Blue Heron). Plus both A. Kestrel and my favorite dark Merlin at
Esther Simplot.

Along with the 5 raptors, I had 40 species as I returned to the North End.
But of course I wanted more. 😉

So at 23rd and Heron I found my first Brown Creeper of the season for #41.
Later, I glanced at my backyard feeders and realized the finch on the tray
was different. A quick look with the ever present binos showed my FOY
Cassin’s Finch, a bird I haven’t seen in my backyard for some time.

What a great way to spend the day. Tom McCabe, Boise