Some random birding notes from past few days. Best bird at home was an immature Northern Shrike that I saw Fri, when I went down to river to fly-fish. Yest, headed up to cabin & filled tank at Dave’s Jubilee in Ashton & saw a Blue Jay at a residence across from parking lot (my Blue Jay at home seems to have moved on). Between Ashton & Ashton Hill spotted a Rough-legged Hawk soaring above. As I drove through Last Chance, had to pull over, next to Henry’s Fk, & count all the Trumpeter Swans…from one location counted 75 swans. The river is open & looked like the swans were taking full advantage of feeding on underwater vegetation. Got a few great photos with the river, swans, trees & snow-covered Mt Sawtelle in background.

As I got closer to cabin, I watched a Great Gray Owl take off from a spruce tree, sail across the road & head deeper into the woods. Usual RB Nuthatches & Mt Chickadees are up at cabin.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot