Was watching the Black-chinned Hummingbird, & from a distance through binocs to not disturb it, trying to locate its nest. Looks like it must be about 15 ft up & on an inner branch, so probably will never actually see the nest. But, then, movement beneath the spruce caught my eye & out hopped a Swainson’s Thrush. This is noteworthy because May 29th is a late date for one on our place. They usually push through to higher country and are gone by 1st part of May. After this winter though, seems all bets are off. Looks like the Lazuli Buntings & Western Tanagers went west of us this spring & just overall numbers of Warblers in general & Bullock’s Orioles are down, at least along our stretch of the Snake River corridor.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot