My first winter resident Townsend’s Solitaire of the year, showed up this AM. Always enjoyable to see. But, also means, my fall migrants are essentially done. Compared to past fall migrations, the one word that would describe this year’s is…sparse. In fact, for my immediate area, disturbingly so. Will see what next year brings.

As I missed about 10 days from the area, was hoping I had just been absent for the main push. But, a fellow birder, who lives a couple miles from me, also in Snake River Riparian habitat, noted the same decrease in fall migrant numbers this season.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot