Spent a beautiful, clear, calm morning yesterday up on Scout Mountain
before the road is closed for the season. At about 8:45 it was fully
daylight, but the woods were still in the shadow of the mountain so I
thought I’d try to whistle up a northern pygmy owl. Mountain chickadees
and red-breasted nuthatches were immediately responsive and a pygmy owl owl
soon called back. The bird list was reflective of the bounty of Douglas
fir cones up on the mountain. It was difficult to count all the
red-breasted nuthatches as I was almost never out of earshot of at least 2
calling, often times it was 4 calling and sometimes 6! A few black-capped
chickadees were among the many mountains. I encountered many flocks of
pine siskins and red crossbills and a few Cassin’s finches. Clark’s
nutcrackers were in full voice and were frequently found flying overhead.
Three pine grosbeaks were a nice treat. After being all over the place
last winter, I have yet to encounter an evening grosbeak this season in
Bannock County. It was 11 degrees when I arrived, but a balmy 35 when I
left. See you in May, mountain.

Steven F. Kahl
Deputy Project Leader
Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex
4425 Burley Dr., Ste. A
Chubbuck, ID 83202
C (208) 252-0805
P (208) 237-6615 ext 112
F (208) 237-8213

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