So yesterday I went biking-birding *early* along the Boise River Greenbelt……
eBird.org reports that July is one of the least eBirded months, and reminds us that post-breeding dispersal is beginning, that birds are wandering out of their usual ranges, into unexpected habitats, and show up at crazy locations. See https://ebird.org/news/july-ebirder-of-the-month-challenge-2018
I would add that in the western U.S. we have high elevation habitats, e.g., spruce-fir and tundra, where avian breeding activity lags behind that at lower elevations and is still popping! Plus the temperatures are pleasant, eh? =)
Even here in Boise at ~ 2600 ft elevation, the ‘lil beasties are still singing emphatically, and their cousins – the silent ones – are still very active. I’m delightfully surprised at how birdiful it is here in mid-July! By 1130 hrs yesterday I had tallied 67 species, but by 0545 hrs I had already enjoyed these encounters:
Boise River Greenbelt SW 6.4, Ada, Idaho, US
Jul 11 , 2018 4:10 AM – 5:45 AM ? Nocturnal
Protocol: Traveling
2.7 mile(s)
Comments: We stward from SW 6.4, 55F clear and calm, heavily armed with LED headlamp and headlights. Quest for owls and CONI, possibly heard GRHE call once at 0520, but I didn’t use playback to confirm, dang me, I know how responsive they often are! Moon was a mere sliver. Now carrying both 8x and 10x bins (it’s a geezer thing)
22 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 6
Mallard 2
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 6
Bald Eagle 1 0545, adult, why flagged as rare? They nest here annually, 4-6 pr in the area per RL, and in winter there are many more, likely different birds, yes, but Ada County bar chart suggests they’re here every month of the year, eh? Nesting has been photo-documented by several birders.
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Mourning Dove 3
Western Screech-Owl 2 counter-calling at 0410 hrs, thus began this list……….
Great Horned Owl 5 2,3, first time one called, both YBCH and GBHE replied, crazy!! =)
Common Nighthawk 1 0545, almost missed this bird, t’was in warp drive, late for work?
Belted Kingfisher 2
Willow Flycatcher 8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Bank Swallow X
swallow sp. X no idea how many, nor species other than the two that I heard (with low ambient noise at this hour and place)
American Robin 2
Common Yellowthroat 1 seemingly everywhere this year, at more locations than in recent years (just my obs)
Yellow Warbler 5
Song Sparrow 5
Yellow-breasted Chat 1 same comment as for COYE
Black-headed Grosbeak 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 ( http://ebird.org )
Happy summer birding,
Larry
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