For those of you in Boise, Quinn’s Pond had some interesting birds today.
Besides the Western Grebe that’s been there for some weeks, the raft of
Buffleheads doubled to about 16 or so. Plus, they were accompanied by a
Barrow’s Goldeneye, my FOS. Also, earlier-but not later-there were 4
Ring-necked Ducks floating nearby.

In addition, there was a bird floating around with the WEGR that looked like
one of the medium grebes, Horned or Eared, in winter plumage. Problem was,
he never untucked his head so I never figured out what he was. If he hadn’t
been hanging out with the WEGR, I would have thought it was just flotsam.

Also present were the usual winter residents, including A. Wigeons and A.
Coots.

Over by the river, near the rest rooms in Esther Simplot, there was a very
dark Merlin lurking in a tree. This guy is almost black and his breast
streaks are very thick and close together. Last week he was hanging out with
a much lighter Merlin, but I haven’t seen the latter since then.

Finally, there are 2 Hooded Mergansers hanging out at the upstream end of
Veteran’s Pond, and today there were also 2 at the duck pond in Ann
Morrison.

Thanks to all of the above, my day lists have been climbing into the mid to
upper 30’s. And there’s a weather change coming!

Tom McCabe