Friday, June 25, 2010

210 in 2010: eBird Idaho - Week 25


For those of you checking into the Idaho Birding Blog for the first time, I am hosting a little competition to see who can be the first eBirder in Idaho to see "two-ten in twenty-ten", that is 210 species of birds this year!  That goal has already been reached!  Now we are focusing on the second part of the competition which is to see who can submit the most checklists to eBird by the 210th day of the year (July 29th).  Here are the rules of the game.

The eBird team and KAYTEE have been very supportive of this effort to encourage birders to be eBirders and are donating $210 worth of cash or prizes to the winners!

Here is the current leader board...

Hyperlinked names are those that have been featured in my weekly blog segment called Idaho Birder Profiles where we spotlight one of Idaho's enthusiastic birders!

Checklist Leaders:
2.  Cheryl Huizinga 271
3.  Charles Swift 268
4.  Lew Ulrey 257
5.  J Harry Krueger 179
6.  Terry Gray 167
8.  Jonathan Stoke 137
9.  Lynn Davenport 131
10.  Rohn McKee 117  

Species Leaders:
1.  J Harry Krueger 252 - 1st to reach 210!
1.  Darren Clark 242 - 3rd to reach 210!
3.  Steve Butterworth 238 - 2nd to reach 210!
4.  Cheryl Huizinga 232 - 6th to reach 210!
5.  Heidi Ware 228 - 4th to reach 210!
6.  Jay Carlisle 225 - 5th to reach 210!
7.  Zeke Watkins 217 - 7th to reach 210!
8.  Robert Mortensen 210 - 8th to reach 210!
9.  Cliff Weisse 207
10.  Terry Gray 203


Special thanks to our sponsors:

kaytee.com

Thursday, June 17, 2010

210 in 2010: eBird Idaho - Week 24


For those of you checking into the Idaho Birding Blog for the first time, I am hosting a little competition to see who can be the first eBirder in Idaho to see "two-ten in twenty-ten", that is 210 species of birds this year!  That goal has already been reached!  Now we are focusing on the second part of the competition which is to see who can submit the most checklists to eBird by the 210th day of the year (July 29th).  Here are the rules of the game.

The eBird team and KAYTEE have been very supportive of this effort to encourage birders to be eBirders and are donating $210 worth of cash or prizes to the winners!

Here is the current leader board...

Hyperlinked names are those that have been featured in my weekly blog segment called Idaho Birder Profiles where we spotlight one of Idaho's enthusiastic birders!

Checklist Leaders:
2.  Cheryl Huizinga 263
3.  Lew Ulrey 253
4.  Charles Swift 230
5.  J Harry Krueger 173
6.  Terry Gray 161
8.  Jonathan Stoke 137
9.  Lynn Davenport 131
10.  Rohn McKee 117  

Species Leaders:
1.  J Harry Krueger 250 - 1st to reach 210!
1.  Darren Clark 242 - 3rd to reach 210!
3.  Steve Butterworth 238 - 2nd to reach 210!
4.  Cheryl Huizinga 228 - 6th to reach 210!
5.  Heidi Ware 225 - 4th to reach 210!
6.  Jay Carlisle 223 - 5th to reach 210!
7.  Zeke Watkins 212 - 7th to reach 210!
8.  Robert Mortensen 209
9.  Cliff Weisse 207
10.  Terry Gray 198



Special thanks to our sponsors:

kaytee.com

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Idaho Birding Blog Vacation


I'll be taking a vacation from the birding blog until mid-July or so.  I haven't lost my mind yet and I am far from getting burned out on the blog.  Between family activities, scouting high-adventures, and the need for me to focus on finding some work for my clients, a break is necessary.  I'll still be birding and taking photos during this time so I should come back in late July with tons of stuff to share with you.

To honor my commitment to Idaho eBirders, the eBird Team, and to Kaytee, the 210 in 2010: eBird Idaho leaderboard will still be published each Thursday.

I've been having a blast with this website and have really enjoyed your feedback.  Heartfelt thanks to all my Idaho birding friends, all you wonderful blog readers, and all my Twitter followers.  In the meantime, feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Happy Birding!

Oh....if you live within 3 hours of the Boise area and have any needs for new home construction, remodeling, landscaping (commercial and residential installation and maintenance, even landscaping make-overs) please let me know.  I provide marketing and project management for both companies with the top two logo-links in the right column of this website.  We'd be happy to provide you a free estimate and do this work for you and your friends!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Birding Laughs: Binoculars and little boys

While living in Mesa, Arizona when I was just really starting to get into birding, I thought it would be nice if I could build some enthusiasm for birding in my then three-year-old son by getting him a little pair of binoculars.  I knew he wouldn't really know how to use them, but being able to pretend to be like daddy, and to be with daddy on outdoor adventures was all that really mattered.  So off to Target we went to find some toy binoculars.

Holding his hand while walking in the front doors, Kyle looked up at me with his big brown adoring eyes and said in his innocent but loud little three-year-old voice, "Dad, you like big knockers and I like little knockers, huh?!"

"Yes, son.  I do."

You should have seen the crusty looks the two ladies walking in front of us turned around and gave me!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Western Scrub-Jay


My wife's extended family didn't really know that I was into birds.  Sure they knew my father-in-law was a nutso bird-brain, but in their ignorance, my character was still held with some level of esteem.  On a recent there-and-back trip to Utah for a friend's wedding, we stayed with my wife's grandmother in Sandy, Utah.  We were delighted that her favorite Aunt and Uncle and a cousin's family were there visiting from California.  Somehow during the delightful conversation, my wife mentioned that we had to stop and look for birds at the Juniper Rest Area.  Like a bird on the wing, there went my reputation with her family!

Grandma started telling me about how upset she was that a 'blue jay' had been terrorizing her precious robin's nest in her tree, even to the point where the nest appeared to be abandoned and she had found blue shell fragments on the ground.  I was not all moved with compassion by her tragic tale of bird death, but I was rather excited about the possibility of seeing a first-of-year jay of some kind.  "Blue Jay?" I thought, "Now that would be a good bird in Utah!"

"How often do you see them?" I asked.

"Every day for the last couple of weeks at least." they reported.

Further destroying the image I had spent that last 11 years building with my wife's family, I immediately rushed to the family wagon and retrieved a pair of field guides and opened up to the section on jays and asked them to point out what they were seeing.  Grandma immediately pointed to the Western Scrub-Jay while Aunt pointed to the Blue Jay.  I was so excited for the morning to come to see these mysterious killer jays for myself that I went to bed by midnight while my wife stayed up 'til the wee hours of the morning chatting with her relatives.  Again, further proving my strangeness to her now suspect family.

I woke up with the sunrise and as I usually do, I lay there for some time listening to the birds outside the window, trying to identify each one that I heard: robins, doves, starlings, house sparrows, a western tanager, lots of California Quail, and then...some kind of Jay!

Out the door I flew with binoculars and camera in hand, while all the family slumbered.  It was only 6:30 in the morning.  I quickly discovered three Western Scrub-Jays terrorizing the neighborhood birds and starting taking picture after picture.  The jay mystery was solved, but Grandma still insists on calling them 'blue jays'.


The first Western-Scrub Jay I ever saw was in Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Arizona.  What a beautiful scenic area and a really cool place to see birds.  I have now only seen them five times.  In Idaho, City of Rocks National Reserve is a pretty reliable spot to see them.




This last photo is of me getting dive-bombed.  They were pretty aggressive buggers and didn't much like me around.  They often darted within a couple feet of my head while the scolded me.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

210 in 2010: eBird Idaho - Week 23


For those of you checking into the Idaho Birding Blog for the first time, I am hosting a little competition to see who can be the first eBirder in Idaho to see "two-ten in twenty-ten", that is 210 species of birds this year!  That goal has already been reached!  Now we are focusing on the second part of the competition which is to see who can submit the most checklists to eBird by the 210th day of the year (July 29th).  Here are the rules of the game.

The eBird team and KAYTEE have been very supportive of this effort to encourage birders to be eBirders and are donating $210 worth of cash or prizes to the winners!

Here is the current leader board...

Hyperlinked names are those that have been featured in my weekly blog segment called Idaho Birder Profiles where we spotlight one of Idaho's enthusiastic birders!

Checklist Leaders:
2.  Cheryl Huizinga 256
3.  Lew Ulrey 244
4.  Charles Swift 230
5.  J Harry Krueger 165
6.  Terry Gray 158
8.  Jonathan Stoke 132
9.  Lynn Davenport 131
10.  Rohn McKee 117  

Species Leaders:
1.  J Harry Krueger 246 - 1st to reach 210!
1.  Darren Clark 240 - 3rd to reach 210!
3.  Steve Butterworth 235 - 2nd to reach 210!
4.  Cheryl Huizinga 225 - 6th to reach 210!
5.  Heidi Ware 216 - 4th to reach 210!
6.  Jay Carlisle 215 - 5th to reach 210!
7.  Cliff Weisse 207
8.  Zeke Watkins 206
9.  Robert Mortensen 203
10.  Terry Gray 198

Special thanks to our sponsors:

kaytee.com

Black-necked Stilt - maybe some things you didn't know


Black-necked Stilts are eye-catching birds with their contrasting black and white on those long bubble-gum red legs!  I look forward to their arrival every year.  The first one I ever saw was at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon back in July of 2005 when I was really just starting to get passionate about birding.  I used to see several dozen at each visit to the Gilbert Water Ranch in Arizona.  There they can be seen pretty much year round.  According to my eBird records, I once saw around 100 on one day there.  In Idaho, I see them regularly in the right habitat from April through about mid-September.  My highest tally in Idaho is around 30 birds at one location.


Prior to taking these photos, I never noticed the red eye or the brown back on some Black-necked Stilts.  These last couple of weeks I had been assuming that the stilt pictured above was a first-year bird that had not yet turned completely black, but I was wrong.  Females have the brown backs and males have black backs as shown in the photo below.  I must have been photographing a breeding pair.

Reading Paulson's Shorebirds of North America (which features a handsome male Black-necked Stilt on the cover) and the field guide Birds of Western North America: a Photographic Guide I also read that males during breeding season may acquire a pinkish tinge to the breast...and looking at the photo below, I can kind of see that.  Now I regret not paying more attention to them in the field.  Alone, or with a group, it has always been "oh, there's a Black-necked Stilt" and I neglected to enjoy the finer details.  Well, that is one thing photography is helping me do is to look harder and longer at even my common birds.


I did a post awhile back on Black-necked Stilt migration patterns using eBird sighting maps.  Click here if you are interested.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Long-eared Owlets


It had been 16 days since I had checked on the Long-eared Owls, so early this morning I scrambled up the hill to see how they were doing.  As I approached the rock outcropping from which I typically view the nest, my heart sank...the nest was empty.  

Had the recent storms blown the chicks out of the nest? Had the parents moved on?  I stood there mourning the loss for several minutes.  I slowly approached the hackberry grove expecting to find decomposing owlets on the ground.  At the same time I was looking on each branch for momma and papa.  To my utmost delight I spied an owlet on a branch and took some photos.  Then I noticed some movement to my left and just a few feet from my head...another Long-eared Owlet! (close-up photo above)

They didn't appear too disturbed by my being there.  I watched as the closest one casually hopped and kinda flew from branch to branch to put a little more comfortable distance between us.  This one seemed more developed in plumage as well as in activity as compared to the first owlet I spied.  I suppose this isn't all that unusual that one chick begs more and gets more food and therefore grows up more quickly.  Amazing how quickly they went from being helpless white fluff-balls into branchers.  I figured momma and papa were nearby.  I checked all the usual perches for papa, but the parents weren't near the owlets.

The sky started to let fall some sprinkles, so I started back down the trail.  Suddenly, the two adult Long-eared Owls shot out of the tree which minutes ago I had just walked under.  They circled back up to the grove of hackberry trees were the owlets were.  Boy oh boy, they sure are majestic in flight! 

Then the rain really started to come down and I got out of there with a huge grin on my face and some shots in my camera; happy to see all four of my Long-eared Owls doing well.




Idaho Bird Photos

Here are just some more random photos that I wanted to share:

House Wren at Merrill Park, Eagle, ID - two or three young ones were chasing each other around the trunk.  I love the lichen color on the tree.


Great Blue Heron - auditioning for reindeer duties?  - Star, Idaho (Pinewood Lakes community)

Northern Rough-winged Swallow on vinyl post  (Joplin Rd in Star, Idaho)

Bank Swallow soaring above nesting site at Avimor - the white-shirt and tie make this swallow easy to tell from other swallows.

Baby Killdeer at Avimor - it was kind of sad-funny watching it try to jump over the curb to join its mother and siblings, but it eventually made it.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Common Nighthawk - a bump on a log


"Jessica!  Come check out this really cool bird."  I called to my wife.  She slowly approached where I stood partially concealed by the trunk of another tree.

"It would sure help if you would tell me where it is." she whispered.

"It's right there in front of us!" I exclaimed. "See...on the horizontal branch right there."

"Oh my goodness! It's just like a bump on a log!" she announced, accurately describing it's camouflage and parallel-to-the-branch perching habit.

I think all goatsuckers (nightjars) are cool birds.  I've only seen Lesser Nighthawks and Common Nighthawks in my birding life so far.  I most often see them in flight, and the long wings with the white-wing patch makes them easy to identify.  Even their calls are pretty recognizable once you have heard them a time or two.  In my experience, Lesser Nighthawks seem to be a bit more solitary or paired while Common Nighthawks are often found in larger densities.  I've been fortunate enough to find a couple Nighthawk roosting areas and it seems you can find them on almost every branch of every tree!



These photos were taken of a couple of Common Nighthawks at Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park, not too far from Mountain Home, Idaho.  Its a great place to take kids to play on the dunes and it is a bit of an oasis in the desert for birds.

They have relatively large eyes and very small bill.  The bill has little whiskers all around it.  These are terrific bug-eatin' machines.



During mating season they will often fly up high then dive down at break-neck speeds, then suddenly pull out of the dive creating a booming whurr sound as the air rushes through their feathers.  I've had them do this right over my head before.  It is an awesome experience.

Just catching some zzz's.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Idaho Birder: Leon Powers

Leon Powers
Nampa, ID

What can you tell us about your forthcoming book?

            The Forgotten Expedition is the true story of the most fascinating Idaho pioneer scientific expedition you’ve never heard of. That is, a previously unreported 1907 biological expedition in a horse-drawn wagon from Robie Creek through the back country of Idaho City, Centerville, Placerville, Horseshoe Bend, and north to Payette Lake – collecting birds all along the way. Many of the 153 birds, 35 mammals and 22 sets of bird eggs collected were from the area of present-day Ponderosa State Park. If you’d enjoy a peek at Idaho’s wildlife 103 years ago, The Forgotten Expedition provides that and much more. For me, playing history detective to sleuth out the phantom-like lost records of this old, forgotten trek was an adventure in itself!

(Please visit leonpowers.com for more info on his books.  I've read and reviewed Dead Owls Flying, and I can't wait to read his others.)

How did you become “Doc Hawk” with the Boy Scout’s Boy’s Life magazine?

Newly retired and growing increasingly disturbed by the huge disconnect between today’s youth and nature (the “nature deficit syndrome”), I was seeking a means by which I might communicate to young people my own passion about nature and wildlife adventures. Recalling how my love of nature was partly inspired by my boyhood involvement in Boy Scouts, and, also noting a comment by Edward O. Wilson that we need more youth organizations like Boy & Girl Scouts to foster care for our ailing environment, I wrote the editor of Boys’ Life and inquired about their possible interest in some of my wildlife/nature stories. The editor was receptive, and when I sent in sample stories, he liked them well enough to invite me to become a regular contributor with some sort of appropriate moniker. We soon agreed on “Doc Hawk”. Naturally, I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to occasionally address nearly 6 million readers with my stories.

Any upcoming speaking engagements where Idaho birders may come to learn more?

In the final push to complete the writing and publication of my new book, I’ve not yet set up any speaking/Book signing engagements for the coming months. But rest assured that early this summer, with my new book in hand, I’ll be enlisting opportunities to acquaint the public with the Idaho’s forgotten expedition of 1907! (Visit leonpowers.com for updates)

How did you get into birding?  Did you or do you have a birding mentor and can you tell us about that person?  Did you have a “spark bird”?

Since childhood I’ve been fascinated by wildlife.  Growing up on the creek banks along Canyon Creek at the edge of Glenns Ferry, Idaho (lived there form age 3 to college years) no doubt fostered that interest.  Regrettably, I had no mentor in my youth to nurture that interest. Instead, my childhood friend and I would sit and draw pictures of birds out of his huge old bird book.  I do recall the magical spell baby owls seemed to cast on my young mind as I viewed N. Saw-whet, Long-eared and Great Horned Owl “branchers” among the creek bank willows.
           
How long have you been birding in Idaho?

I’ve been noticing birds in Idaho since childhood, but as an “informed” birder (with some training – after taking an Ornithology class), since 1963.

How often do you go birding? And where do you regularly go birding?

As in my youth I’m still “noticing” birds all the time (around my yard & neighborhood; driving about (examples: saw a Cooper’s Hawk flying overhead at my Niece’s outdoor Wedding [no one else noticed], saw a Merlin flying overhead at my mother-in-law’s graveside service [no one else noticed]). “Birding”? I don’t much care for the term. However, I am an incurable watcher of wildlife (not just birds). I prefer the term “look-about” (noticing all wildlife).

Where is your favorite place to "notice birds" in Idaho? In the U.S.? in the world?

(Idaho) My favorite “look-about” trek is a mid-June travel from Montour Wildlife Management Area to Sweet, Ola, up the Ola grade, through High Valley and down to Smiths Ferry (including the pond on the east side of the Smiths Ferry bridge over the Payette River).

(U.S.) I haven’t birded widely in the U.S. but I have many fond memories birding Malheur NWR in Oregon.

(World) Australia still captures my fancy for birds and wildlife.

Do you have any local birding hotspots that may be yet unknown to Idaho birders that you would be willing to share with us?

As many avid birders as there are these days, I can’t think of any places that have not already been discovered and visited by birders (but note the response below on the next question).

Where in Idaho would you say is the most under-birded place that may have great untapped potential?

The Sublett Mountains of southcentral Idaho (SE of Burley, 30 miles or so), where I did 7 summers of Flammulated Owl research (my book #4, which I’ve already begun). In all those years of field work there, I don’t recall ever seeing anyone else in the area looking at birds (outside of my own group). I think it is one of Idaho’s best kept secrets.

How would you describe yourself as a birder? A “watcher”, a “lister”, a “chaser”, all of the above, or something else?

As discussed above, I am a “watcher” who occasionally keeps lists of birds if it serves some useful purpose.

What kind of birding equipment do you use?

Not being wealthy nor concerned about the latest and greatest gadgetry, my equipment is minimal but adequate (10X50 Nikon binoculars, camera w/ telephoto, couple bird guides, and a borrowed spotting scope (Bausch & Lomb Discoverer Zoom). Oh…and a knapsack on my back!

How do you keep track of your bird observations? And why?

For many years I collected data in various technical ways for research projects. But basically, I simply pen lists and notes (behavioral, ecological) that interest me. Those notes lie around in files and in old, beat-up field journals. I keep these incidental notes to satisfy my curiosity – remember…I am a curious watcher. 

What is your favorite bird sighting and what is the story behind it?

One June day while strolling the creek banks of Canyon Creek north of Glenns Ferry, I noticed an unusual bird that I didn’t immediately recognize.  I soon figured out that it was a beautiful male Blue Grosbeak singing and courting a nearby female. Being several hundred miles north of its known breeding range, that bird sparked a quest that sent me muddling into a professional arena I knew nothing about. Curious, I did my first ever exhaustive literature search (in those days the hard way – without the crutch of the internet). My findings prompted my return to the same spot a year later, where I again found the birds, way out of their range. That led to a contact with Richard C. Banks of the U.S, National Museum, Wash, D.C., who put me in touch with Alexander Wetmore of the Smithsonian Institute, who verified my sightings for Thomas D. Burleigh (who wanted the info for his upcoming Birds of Idaho). Eventually, that led to my first scientific publication, which in turn led me to Dr. Chuck Trost at Idaho State University, resulting in my becoming a Ph.D. graduate student under his tutelage. So…you can see how that vagabond Blue Grosbeak coincidentally kick-started the launching of my career.

Which birding publications and websites do you read and recommend?

I poke into Birding and  Audubon some; don’t visit websites much (I’m not addicted to the internet), except to read newsletters from local birding groups (SWIBA & Golden Eagle Chapter). Now that I’m aware of this Birder’s Profile website, I’ll be a regular visitor – I do enjoy reading about other bird enthusiasts (some whom I already know).

Which is your favorite field guide and why?

National Geographic’s Field Guide to North America & National Audubon’s the Sibley Guide to birds seems to serve my “non-rabid” observational needs – both have good illustrations and useful maps.

Beside the books you have authored, which five must-read books from your personal birding library would you recommend?

I don’t often seek out “birding” books per se, although I own and have read from Pete Dunne (good writer), Kenn Kaufman, etc. – rather, I like to read and re-read writings of several favorite authors (for their writing style and rich and timeless content): Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac, about anything E.O. Wilson writes, Hal Borland’s Sundial of the Seasons, Scott Weidensaul’s Of a Feather, and Robert Michael Pyle’s Wintergreen and Sky Time in Gray’s River.  I still like Dayton O. Hyde’s Don Coyote. These writers help to place one’s finger on the pulse of the landscape.

What future plans birding or otherwise do you have?

No big plans…if I go somewhere, I’ll be watching. I’ll probably do a number of local Idaho trips with my grandson Wesley, who is my “little naturalist” side-kick. 

Are you involved with any local or national birding organizations?

I used to belong to the big professional ornithological organizations (Cooper’s, A.O.U., Raptor Research, etc.) but now stick mainly with the SWIBA and Golden Eagle Audubon Chapter.

What is your nemesis bird?

Long ago, the Great Gray Owl fit that category, but anymore I don’t really think much about such a bird, I’m content to take what new birds come my way.  Now, there more of a anticipation of the next “serendipity” bird – the unexpected surprise. Plus, I find too much intrigue and pleasure in simply enjoying the “regulars”, to chase after new or exotic birds. 

Anything about your family you’d like to share with us?

I have young grand children who I enjoy immensely – we do lots of outdoor activities together. I don’t rub their noses in it…but we have lots of fun NOTICING the birds, butterflies, dragonflies, wildflowers, snakes, frogs, lizards, etc. etc.

Any funny birding experiences you could tell us?

Hmmm…you’ll have to read my books to learn those! :o)


Anything else that you would like share with us?

I just taught (with my colleagues, Tim & Erica Craig) our 28th summer Birds of Prey class at Northwest Nazarene University (6-day, all day-long part lecture, part field trip combo). This class predates the World Center for Birds of Prey and the BSU Raptor Biology Program. (Where were you in 1983, when we first taught this class?)

Total life list?

I don’t know, but I keep thinking that since I am now retired (more or less), I will dig out my records and total-up the list.

Most exotic place you’ve gone birding?

I’ve enjoyed three visits to various parts of Australia…and would love to go back one day soon. 

Your mission in life as a birder?

Help others learn about nature and to look around. The more we learn, the more we see (with understanding and appreciation).  Thus, I encourage learning and looking around. Hopefully, that lets us live in the moment and maximizes our daily experience.


Sunday, June 6, 2010

Black-billed Magpie


Black-billed Magpie chicks are leaving their nests and cackling up a storm in just about all the birding locations I have been visiting in the last couple of weeks.  Growing up here in Idaho, we all thought of them as disgusting carrion birds as they were often seen eating roadkill on the side of the highway.  I have since come to enjoy their beauty.  The photo above catches a little bit of blue reflecting of the black wings.  Check out that blue eye!  It must be that juveniles have the blue eyes as photos of mature magpies all seem to have dark eyes.  A recent post from the Birdchick about her visit to Utah and seeing magpies also reminded me that even Black-billed Magpies are special birds.

Magpie nests are also very important for owls.  I have Great Horned Owls and Long-eared Owls using old Magpie nests right here in my community.  Their large twiggy nests are pretty cool too.  Good ones will have a stick roof over the top of them for a little extra protection from the elements and predators.

Black-billed Magpies were once severely persecuted by game-bird hunters and ranchers in Idaho.  Apparently they were accused of destroying upland game bird nests and of keeping the wounds on cattle open as they nipped at the exposed flesh, which may have some truth to it.  While doing some history research at the Boise Public Library, I came across a 1927 article in the Idaho Daily Statesman.  It was announcing the winners of a Magpie killing contest in a nearby town along the Snake River. The object was to kill as many magpies in one day as possible and to prove it by bringing in the heads. Magpie eggs removed from the nest even counted as a kill. I was dismayed that the winner had “taken” over 3400 magpies with the runners-up taking 2500+ birds each.  The winners were awarded of course with nifty new rifles with which to kill more magpies. It amazes me that mankind didn't exterminate magpies 100 years ago. Must be hardy critters..and smart too.  I'm glad they are still around.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Sora

Can you see it?

Often this is about as good as glimpse as you'll get in the field.

This sneaky fella was seen and photographed by me recently at a little-explored birding hot-spot in the marshy area along Joplin Road in Star, Idaho.  


When I lived in Mesa, Arizona, it seemed like I'd see Sora all the time.  They'd just be walking along the edge of the Salt River at Granite Reef Recreation Area, out in the open.  I was very new into birding and I was too blissfully ignorant to realize that what I was seeing was special.  Then I moved to Idaho and it took me three years before I'd see one again.  I've now seen and heard a few in the last couple of months.  Turns out that Soras may be more common in Idaho that most folks realize.  You just have to know the right habitat and it helps to know its sound.  Generally, if its Virginia Rail country, than it should work for Sora too.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Western Tanager - Discovered in Idaho by Lewis & Clark


Here in Idaho we are enjoying a huge wave of Western Tanagers coming through.  Two years ago we had a similar fantastic irruption, but this year it seems even bigger!  Even all my non-birding friends and family are calling and e-mailing me asking "What are those beautiful yellow birds with orange faces and black wings?"  They really are being seen just about everywhere in the area.


It is also fun to note that the Western Tanager was discovered in Idaho by Meriwether Lewis of the historically famous Lewis & Clark expedition on June 6th, 1806.  Almost 204 years ago to the date!

Here is Lewis' journal entry on the matter:

"we meet with a beautifull little bird in this neighbourhood about the size and somewhat the shape of the large sparrow.    it is reather longer in proportion to it's bulk than the sparrow.    it measures 7 inches from the extremity of the beek to that of the tail, the latter occupying 2½ inches.    the beak is reather more than half an inch in length, and is formed much like the virginia nitingale;  it is thick and large for a bird of it's size; wide at the base, both chaps convex, and pointed, the uper exceeds the under chap a little is somewhat curved and of a brown colour; the lower chap of a greenish yellow.    the eye full reather large and of a black colour both puple and iris.    the plumage is remarkably delicate; that of the neck and head is of a fine orrange yellow and red, the latter predominates on the top of the head and arround the base of the beak from whence it graduly deminishes & towards the lower part of the neck, the orrange yellow prevails most; the red has the appearance of being laid over a ground of yellow.    the breast, the sides, rump and some long feathers which lie between the legs and extend underneath the tail are of a fine orrange yellow.    the tail, back and wings are black, ecept a small stripe of yellow on the outer part of the middle joint of the wing, ¼ of an inch wide and an inch in length.    the tail is composed of twelve feathers of which those in the center are reather shortest, and the plumage of all the feathers of the tail is longest on that side of the quill next the center of the tail.    the legs and feet are black, nails long and sharp; it has four toes on each foot, of which three are forward and one behind; that behind is as long as the two outer of the three toes in front."  Courtesy of http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/read/?_xmlsrc=1806-06-06.xml&_xslsrc=LCstyles.xsl

There was even a brief campaign around 1930 to make the Western Tanager the State Bird of Idaho by a lady who recognized the historical merit of the Lewis & Clark discovery in Idaho.  Unfortunately, not many Idahoans at the time recognized the bird and the school children voted instead for the Mountain Bluebird (see the rest of the story here).  

Many Idahoans are finally getting familiar with our Western Tanager!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

210 in 2010: eBird Idaho - Week 22


For those of you checking into the Idaho Birding Blog for the first time, I am hosting a little competition to see who can be the first eBirder in Idaho to see "two-ten in twenty-ten", that is 210 species of birds this year!  That goal has already been reached!  Now we are focusing on the second part of the competition which is to see who can submit the most checklists to eBird by the 210th day of the year (July 29th).  Here are the rules of the game.

The eBird team and KAYTEE have been very supportive of this effort to encourage birders to be eBirders and are donating $210 worth of cash or prizes to the winners!

Here is the current leader board...

Hyperlinked names are those that have been featured in my weekly blog segment called Idaho Birder Profiles where we spotlight one of Idaho's enthusiastic birders!

Checklist Leaders:
2.  Cheryl Huizinga 250
3.  Lew Ulrey 236
4.  Charles Swift 222
5.  J Harry Krueger 159
6.  Terry Gray 149
8.  Lynn Davenport 131
9.  Jonathan Stoke 129
10.  Rohn McKee 117  

Species Leaders:
1.  J Harry Krueger 242 - 1st to reach 210!
1.  Darren Clark 238 - 3rd to reach 210!
3.  Steve Butterworth 234 - 2nd to reach 210!
4.  Cheryl Huizinga 221 - 6th to reach 210!
5.  Heidi Ware 216 - 4th to reach 210!
6.  Jay Carlisle 215 - 5th to reach 210!
7.  Cliff Weisse 207
8.  Zeke Watkins 201
9.  Robert Mortensen 198
10.  Terry Gray 193

Special thanks to our sponsors:

kaytee.com