Since the weather varies from day to day, I look for more substantial signs
that spring is on its way. Two days ago, Killdeer showed up at Esther
Simplot Park in numbers, filling the air with their unique call. Then a pair
of Canada Geese decided to copulate right in front of me in the middle of
the river where the bridge is out. They obviously had no regard for my
delicate sensibilities. 😉
Then, yesterday, I heard Red-tail Hawks outside my house. I ran out in time
to see a pair land in a tree on 19th St. and proceed to copulate in plain
view. Then, a few minutes later, one of them flew off to the southwest with
nesting material in its beak. Obviously IÂ’ll be looking for that particular
nest.
By the time I left the house yesterday, I had already tallied 14 species,
including a Sharp-shinned Hawk that likes my feeders. So with 14 birds and
thoughts of springtime, I headed downstream from Esther Simplot and biked
all the way to Laguna Pointe. The high point was when I turned on to
Remington St. and heard a flyover of Sandhill Cranes, a FOY bird. Their
distinctive flight call is always a treat.
My next FOY bird was a Double-crested Cormorant in a dredge pond near the
West Boise STP. I later saw 2 more flying around the area, but I wonder
where they are nesting this year, since the Bald Eagles that are nesting in
the middle of the rookery seem to have the whole place to themselves.
Final tally was 47 birds in 18 ½ miles, 48 if you count the Mute Swans. Six
of those species were raptors (CooperÂ’s, Red-tail, Sharp-shinned, Merlin, A.
Kestrel, and Bald Eagle). Another great day to be birding the Boise River.
Tom McCabe, Boise