Possible tip for finding the LeConte’s Sparrow.
After texting with Mary Rumple last night (who saw the bird where I did), this is what I’d try if I were going back today to try to find that extremely skulky bird. Same coordinates where Jay reported it.
I got brief looks at it a few yards west of the stile (ladder over fence at bottom of hill) along the road on south side in the reeds. On the south side between the road and pond is a dike with a path. When I first arrived at 7:30am yesterday, I noticed a small bird that I had a hunch was the LeConte’s dive into the reeds between the dike and road near the stile from reeds near the dike. There were also 2 Song Sparrows hanging out there.
When I walked up on the dike a little later I saw a bird foraging on the ground (just as you get on the dike from the stile) dart into the reeds. Again I had a hunch that could be it. I waited patiently in that area near the stile occasionally walking west down the road 50 yards and then come back and hang at that spot. Hunters with dogs passed along the dike path probably flushing the bird twice before I finally got a brief visual near the road 50 minutes later. I walked up on the dike another time and the same bird was foraging on the ground but dove into the reeds. Mary told me this is where she saw the bird later. I never heard it vocalize. I waited for an hour to get better looks but to no avail.
If I were to go back I’d be real quiet and glass the path on the dike from a distance above the stile. I have a hunch that it was foraging tight along the weeds on the path within feet of getting on the dike.
As I was leaving, I was also told there were 2 Dunlin on one of the islands (I think from the viewing area before dropping down the hill) but I didn’t have time to look for them. I also heard a Sora call when I first arrived and several Virginia Rails.
Good luck!
Jason
On Saturday, November 18, 2017, 12:24:43 PM MST, Stoddard Davenport s_g_davenport@hotmail.com [ible]
The bird is still present, Jay’s coordinates are pretty much right on for where Ellen and I were able to re-find it. Thought there’d be a crowd here but maybe most that would have chased it were already here with the field trip.
Good birding!Stoddard and Ellen DavenportBoise
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——– Original message ——–From: “Jay Carlisle carlislejay@yahoo.com [ible]”
Approximate coordinates according to my phone: 43.0121 -116.1110
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On Nov 18, 2017, at 10:52 AM, Jay Carlisle carlislejay@yahoo.com [ible]
Bryce just found on Audubon field trip along dirt road E of pond, ~1/2 way between wooden fence crossover & 2 trees on either side of road. Seen very well by many … still trying for a pic.
Jay
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