Spent a few hrs at EFNA this cold but bright morning. A parade of gulls
travels down the Portneuf Valley every morning to Fort Hall Mine Landfill.
EFNA is in this valley and I counted 500+ ring-billeds and 300+
Californias. Going through them, bird by bird, I was able to pick out an
adult lesser black-backed and 5 herrings.

The pond had 5 redhead and 1 canvasback. They have been feeding on
submerged aquatic vegetation here for about 2 weeks. An immature bald eagle
flew by low over the pond but neither the eagle nor ducks seemed interested
about each other.

A flock of 7 evening grosbeaks flew over, as did a separate flock of 16 red
crossbills. I was able to find a lone American tree sparrow hanging around
the edge of a flock of 13 Oregon juncos. This is my second find this month
of ATSP after going a year without seeing one in the county. Maybe it will
be a bigger winter for this species?

An adult male kestrel flew by close carrying a mouse or vole. I was able to
watch an adult Cooper’s hawk in a tail chase with a Eurasion collared-dove
high in open sky. Surprisingly the Coop’s was closing in. I didn’t get to
see the outcome though as trees obscured the view.

What a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

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