FLOW Survey near Ashton, Idaho

Our survey near Ashton, Idaho, was indeed delayed one night due to bad weather, mainly wind.  The wind died down over the next day, and we spent most of the day birding at nearby Chester Dam and the riparian area that leads to it.  It turned out to be one of our best warbler days in Idaho, including lots of Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers, a few Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers, and a single MacGillivray's Warbler.  We also picked up a new state bird (for me!), Eastern Kingbird.

Yellow Warbler

Pine Siskins were the most abundant species, moving around in small flocks from 20 to 50 individuals.  A lot of flycatchers were out, too, including Cordilleran, Dusky, and Hammond's. A single male Bobolink was also in the riparian area.

Pine Siskin

Dusky Flycatcher

Bobolink - male

Bobolink - male

Eastern Kingbird

With the weather looking better, we were able to complete our Flammulated Owl survey that night.  Before dark, we heard Ruffed Grouse and Hermit Thrush, and spotted a few Calliope Hummingbirds during our vegetation surveys.  We didn't hea any Flammulated Owls during our survey, but we did flush a Great Horned Owl on the way to our last point.  We finished the survey in record time since the elevation change was not very drastic and we were able to start very close to our points with only a short walk in.  Just as we set up our tent for the night, the wind picked up, and we were treated to another night of the tent wall smacking us in the face.  The rain persisted through most of the morning, but we made a quick stop at a marsh where we called out a Sora, and finally got a great look at a species that has been avoiding us for a long time!  Check out Alex's post about the Sora for more photos.

Sora

On our way home in the rain, we didn't make many stops for birds, but found these Cliff and Bank Swallows lined up together on barbed wire near American Falls Dam.

Cliff and Bank Swallows

Later this week I will head out with our new co-worker Morgan to continue owl surveys where Alex and I left off.

Birding Update for Boise, ID parks

I've been staying fairly close to Boise over the last few days for birding.  There are a few species out right now that you are pretty much guaranteed to see if you visit any of Boise's parks, especially Foote Park and Discovery Park.  Bullock's Orioles are very numerous and have begun nesting, and are the most numerous yard bird we have at the moment.  They devour about 5 oranges a day up at our camper.

Bullock's Oriole - immature male

Bullock's Oriole - male

Black-headed Grosbeaks are also everywhere, and seem to jump around in flocks with orioles and Western Tanagers.  No one really touched the suet feeder in our yard the first few weeks we had it out, but the Black-headed Grosbeaks surprisingly love it!

Black-headed Grosbeak - male

Black-headed Grosbeak - male at suet feeder

Western Tanagers are also here in full force, and we noticed a surge of them with a storm two nights ago.  Surprisingly, they also really like the oranges at our feeders, but are easily bullied by the Bullock's Orioles that dominate the oranges.  House Wrens and Magpies also visit our oranges throughout the day.

Western Tanager - female

Western Tanager - male

If you've been birding in the foothills near Boise, you've likely come across huge flocks of Chipping Sparrows in the past week and a half or so.  There were hundreds on the hillsides by Foote Park a week ago, and the numbers seem to be dropping off just slightly.

Chipping Sparrow

While birding with local birder "RL" at Foote Park a few days ago, we came across our FOY Wilson's Warbler and Warbling Vireo!!!  Both species are pretty much a guarantee this week at Foote and Discovery Parks.

Wilson's Warbler

RL and I also found about 6 different Dusky Flycatchers.  Gray flycatchers have been reported here, but we haven't yet been able to spot one.

Dusky Flycatcher

And although they've been around for awhile, I still enjoy seeing Lewis's Woodpeckers in our yard and at Discovery Park.  They may be turning into my new favorite woodpecker species!

Lewis's Woodpecker

Yesterday, while birding with Alex and our new co-worker Morgan, we found our first MacGillivrays Warbler at Foote Park.  We didn't get photos, but we are sure we will come across more.  Yellow Warblers are still packed in as well, and are now busy nest-building at Foote Park. 

Another guarantee is now Lazuli Bunting, which are one of the most common birds at Foote Park and are easily spotted foraging low in the willows.

Lazuli Bunting - male

Yellow-breasted Chats are now on territories as well, and are chatting their little hearts out at Foote Park.  They are a lot more visible and less sneaky now that they are defending territories, and can be easily spotted when they do their crazy displays.

Yellow-breasted Chat - male