Hyatt Wetlands
Located on Maple Grove, between Chinden and McMillan in Boise, the Hyatt Wetlands is an old gravel pit turned riparian oasis. Watch for various types of grebes and ducks. Also watch for Virginia Rails, even in the dead of winter. I've seen them there on New Year's day.
View Hyatt Wetlands, Boise Idaho in a larger map
Kathryn Albertson & Ann Morrison Parks
Two adjacent parks near downtown Boise near the Boise River. Wood Ducks are normally abundant at Kathryn Albertson Park, along with Mergansers, and all the other ducks. Varied Thrushes have also been known to winter here. After you've exhausted all the winter birds here, cross the street to Ann Morrison Park. Here you can see a variety of gulls too, but pay special attention to the flocks of American Wigeons feeding on the grass. If one sticks out having red heads you've found yourself a Eurasian Wigeon.
Two Rivers community, Eagle
This neighborhood has 23 huge ponds surrounded by wonderful dense landscaping. I like to drive to the westernmost sections to look for Hooded Mergansers, Tundra Swans, Goldeneye, and Ring-necked Ducks.
Dry Lakes, South of Nampa
This is where I had my first lessons in Tundra & Trumpeter Swan identification. There are also lots of Pintail, Lesser Scaup, and a dozen others.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge - Lake Lowell, Nampa
Look for Loons and all of the other waterfowl. One New Year's day we saw two dozen Bald Eagles feeding on ducks out on the ice.
Hidden Hollow Landfill (Ada Co) and Pickle Butte (Canyon County)
The dump is actually a great place to hone your gull identification skills. Last winter I believe eight or more species of gulls were identified at local landfills, including some rarities.
Where are your favorite places for winter birdwatching?
It is time for me to get out and viewing the birds. I will start earnestly in Dec after all the hunts are over for us.
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