West Mountain, Valley Co., Idaho (9/13/09)

Cascade Reservoir from West Mountain, looking northeast

I explored up West Mountain (Valley Co.) a bit on my way home from Boise a couple weeks ago. This is a very attractive area and it seems to me birding could be quite good along the road up to the ridge in breeding season. The road is actually in pretty good shape although narrow in spots due to encroaching vegetation. I only went as far as the main West Mountain ridge but one could continue further west into the mountain range and eventually all the way to Council. There is a lookout on a bald further west that also looks interesting. There was a Dusky Grouse carcass at the saddle/road intersection. Complete eBird list is below.

More photos of area here: http://tinyurl.com/ydhy5qy

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Location: West Mountain Saddle
Observation date: 9/13/09
Notes: This is the first main (West Mountain) ridge line up USFS Road #435 - about 20 minutes from the west side of Cascade Lake (West Mountain Rd.) A nice area of mixed conifers w/ jeep tracks going north and south from the saddle. The road up looks like it could be quite good in the breeding season w/ lot of deciduous understory. Also some great views of Cascade Res. along the way. A Dusky Grouse carcass was near the saddle. There is also a warming hut for snow mobilers.
Number of species: 12

Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Steller's Jay 1
Clark's Nutcracker 3
Common Raven 2
Mountain Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Chipping Sparrow 20
Dark-eyed Junco 2

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

Fwd: eBird Report - Moscow - UI Arboretum and Botanical Gardens , 9/17/09

University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, from north entrance

It was pretty birdy in the UI Arboretum at noon today w/ lots of YR Warblers and Cedar Waxwings and smattering of others. A bunch of waxwings were scattered around feeding and then a flock of ~150 and another of ~50 flew over. Many Yellow-rumps were feeding on the ground and low in an open oak grove and of course doing lots of fly catching. Also of interest were a couple each of both kinglets, a Hermit Thrush (responded to owl imitations, fist alerted to its presence by 'chuk' call notes), and a few juncos. Also a lingering House Wren (same area it's been in for several weeks now) and smattering of migrants other than YRWA. I wonder if it will be cool enough this weekend to clear out some of the lingering breeders?

Complete eBird list is below.

Charles.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Moscow - UI Arboretum and Botanical Gardens , 9/17/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com


Location: Moscow - UI Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Observation date: 9/17/09
Notes: Very birdy lunch hour walk through Arboretum. Most notable large number of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Cedar Waxwing and a smattering of other migrants. Hermit Thrush responded to my owl imitation. Most birds were below the lower pond and in the oak grove. Many Yellow-rumps were feeding on the ground. First RCKI and DEJU of fall locally for me.
Number of species: 26

Canada Goose 8
Mallard 2
Swainson's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 6
Warbling Vireo 1
Black-billed Magpie 3
Common Raven 2
Barn Swallow 5
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Mountain Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 2
Cedar Waxwing 250
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 70
Western Tanager 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 10
Dark-eyed Junco 3
American Goldfinch 1

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

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com

Hatter Creek Rd.

I had a nice mixed flock of up to 100 birds in the field pictured above (complete list below). Included in this flock was a Lark Sparrow, seen initially perched on the barbed wire fence and then later foraging on the ground with Chipping Sparrows etc.. A pretty uncommon species in Idaho north of the Palouse as far as we can tell.

The location was along Hatter Creek Rd. on the north side of Moscow Mountain accessed from ID-6 at the small town of Princeton. The birds were working a weedy field w/ nearby shrub cover and scattered Ponderosa Pines where they would retreat when spooked. I presume these fields are full of insects at this time. This type of habitat seems quite good in fall migration for bluebirds, YR Warblers, and Chippies and other species that may attracted to the gathering.

Location: Hatter Creek Rd.
Observation date: 9/5/09
Notes: A nice mixed flock included a single well seen Lark Sparrow. Distinctive face pattern and white tail corners well seen and larger size than Chipping Sparrows it was found with noted. Probably a fairly uncommon fall migrants in this region.
Number of species: 12

Turkey Vulture 2
American Kestrel 1
Mountain Chickadee 1
Pygmy Nuthatch 2
Western Bluebird 10
American Robin 4
Cedar Waxwing 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Chipping Sparrow 40
Lark Sparrow 1
Red Crossbill 4
Pine Siskin 10

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