Weekend birding around Latah County, ID

A few sightings of interest from the long weekend and select eBird lists below (photo: Grasshopper Sparrow, Paradise Ridge):

5/22 - I hiked the 1 mile paved trail along the upper Potlatch R. (near USFS LIttle Boulder Creek CG southeast of Deary, ID) w/ Iris where we found many of the typical breeding species for this locale. Had an FOY Cordilleran Flycatcher right at the bridge. A briefly seen Western Skink in the parking area was pretty cool. White Pelican and 2 Bald Eagles (adult & near adult) among others at Spring Valley Res. in the PM. Belted Kingfisher along Little Bear Ck. just east of Troy, ID at likely cut bank nesting area (also here last year).

5/24 - Family hike around Spring Valley Reservoir had most expected breeders for this locale incl. FOY Willow Flycatcher and loudly calling Sora. Afternoon nap drive farther east to East Fork Potlatch R. (east of Bovil, ID) where I found 2 American Redstarts, a Northern Waterthrush, and another Willow Flycatcher (which will be common here within the next few days) among others along this willow lined creek. This is probably the best location in Latah Co. for Redstarts and N. Waterthrush (at least the best known to date although Redstarts can be found elsewhere).

5/25 - Hiked w/ Kas Dumroese around his "back 40" on Paradise Ridge south of Moscow where we found the following sparrows - 1 Grasshopper, 2 Clay-colored, 1 Brewer's, and 2 Vesper along w/ many of the typical Palouse prairie species such as E. Kingbird, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, etc. A Rock Wren was a nice find here as well although Kas gets them annually at least in migration (although breeding seems possible at this location higher up on the ridge). The Clay-colored Sparrows were in the draw beyond the pines to the north of his house. I believe visitors are welcome, just contact Kas ahead of time at kas.dumroese@gmail.com.

thanks,

Charles.

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Location: Little Boulder Ck Trail - Potkatch R.
Observation date: 5/22/09
Notes: Walk along paved trail w/ Iris is stroller most of the time. Also saw a Western Skink at the trailhead parking lot.
Number of species: 24

Ruffed Grouse 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Red-naped Sapsucker 1
Hammond's Flycatcher 12
Cordilleran Flycatcher 1
Cassin's Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 3
Common Raven 1
Violet-green Swallow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Townsend's Warbler 2
MacGillivray's Warbler 1
Wilson's Warbler 1
Western Tanager 2
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 7
Dark-eyed Junco 1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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Location: Spring Valley Reservoir
Observation date: 5/24/09
Notes: Family hike around west side of lake. Muddy and buggy in places. Iris walked almost the entire trail except I carried her across the muddy parts. A nice variety of birds despite large # of holiday weekend visitors.
Number of species: 36

Canada Goose 25
Mallard 1
Ruddy Duck 4
Ruffed Grouse 1
Horned Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 2
Spotted Sandpiper 4
California Gull 2
Hammond's Flycatcher 14
Dusky Flycatcher 5
Cassin's Vireo 5
Common Raven 3
Tree Swallow X
Violet-green Swallow X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Mountain Chickadee 1
Brown Creeper 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 12
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Townsend's Warbler 3
Western Tanager 5
Spotted Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 8
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Black-headed Grosbeak 6
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Pine Siskin 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

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Location: Paradise Ridge West
Observation date: 5/25/09
Notes: Hiked w/ Kas around his back 40 to check out sparrows situation and inspect Palouse prairie remnants. CC Sparrows were fairly close to the his in the draw, heard & seen w/ some video.
Number of species: 40

Ring-necked Pheasant 2
California Quail 5
Great Blue Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 5
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Western Wood-Pewee 3
Eastern Kingbird 4
Black-billed Magpie 6
Tree Swallow 1
Violet-green Swallow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Pygmy Nuthatch X
Rock Wren 1
House Wren 4
Western Bluebird 2
Mountain Bluebird 2
American Robin 5
European Starling 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Wilson's Warbler 3
Spotted Towhee 4
Clay-colored Sparrow 2
Brewer's Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Black-headed Grosbeak 8
Lazuli Bunting 5
Western Meadowlark 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Bullock's Oriole 5
Cassin's Finch 1
House Finch X
Red Crossbill 5
American Goldfinch 5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)