UI Dairy (over the past week) & misc. Moscow sightings

Hi All - 

I've been checking the UI Dairy ponds (behind the Palouse Mall on the west side of Moscow) for water/shorebirds every few days over the past week. There is decent mud here although not as good as last summer when a leaky pipe created an attractive muddy area above one of the ponds. It's not Mann Lake but is < 10 minutes from my house so fits into my schedule (and importantly my family's schedule!). A scope is very helpful here.

I've listed below species of interest (mostly waterbirds) and not including the regular group of Mallards and Canada Geese. The Aug. 12 Cliff Swallow, a presumed migrant, gets me up to 100 species for the year for my eBird Moscow "Patch List".

On the migrant front I've continued to have a few Yellow Warblers around my yard (perhaps the same ones lingering) and this morning a couple of Wilson's Warblers. There were also a few Wilson's Warblers at the UI Arboretum late this morning and a Belted Kingfisher departing the Arboretum going north perhaps headed for Paradise Ck. just the other side of campus.

thanks, Charles.

U. of Idaho Dairy ponds:

August 6

Killdeer 36 (highest of several careful counts, many resting on mud in the heat)

Spotted Sandpiper 2

Semipalmated Sandpiper 1

Western Sandpiper 1

August 8

Cinnamon Teal 8 

Killdeer 1

Spotted Sandpiper 4

Long-billed Dowitcher 1 (worn breeding plumage)

Western Sandpiper 2

Least Sandpiper 1

August 10

Northern Pintail 1

Cinnamon Teal 10 

Killdeer 4

Spotted Sandpiper 1

Greater Yellowlegs 1 

Baird's Sandpiper 1

Western Sandpiper 1

Least Sandpiper 1

August 12

Northern Shoveler 9

Cinnamon Teal 10 

Killdeer 5

Spotted Sandpiper 2

Greater Yellowlegs 2 

Baird's Sandpiper 1

Western Sandpiper 1

Cliff Swallow 1

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com

Joel BBS route (Nez Perce & Latah Cos.), 6/24/12

Hi All - 

I ran the Joel Breeding Bird Survey Sunday morning which is a bit later in the month than I usually run it but there was still plenty of bird song (which accounts for the bulk of observations on most BBS routes). BBS's are comprised of 50 3 minute point counts at .5 mile intervals along a 25 mile route.The Joel BBS starts down on the Clearwater R. and comes up Coyote Grade then proceeding east on Genesee-Julietta Rd. and north on Lenville Rd. up on to the Palouse. Traversing this elevation gradient and its variety of habitats results in a nice diversity of species despite a number of stops in agricultural areas. I usually start at ~4:30 AM (was a bit late today) with nighthawks, Rock Wrens, Western Kingbirds, etc. in the canyon and end at ~9:30 AM (again a bit later today) with Eastern Kingbirds, Tree Swallows, etc. on the grassland. Interesting birds found at various stops include Willow Flycatcher, Western Flycatcher, Veery, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole among others. 

Every year is a bit different and I usually find a few uncommon species (for the route) along with the regulars. The only trend I've noticed in ~10 years of doing this is the increase in Lesser Goldfinches although there is a fair amount of inter-annual variation especially in the small forest patches. In addition to all the birds I almost always have some cool experiences in the way of mammals, weather, and scenery, etc. such as a cow Moose (Alces alces) Sunday along Genesee-Julietta Rd. which is a first in ~10 years of doing this BBS. (Just as a side note I saw a cow and calf moose at the upper end of Payette Lake just this morning.)   

Of interest on Sunday were 2 different Brewer's Sparrows (a first for the route I think) in somewhat atypical habitat. They were in shrubby areas at the edge of wheat fields along Lenville Rd. and Genesee-Juliaetta Rd. They sang short songs so after the I finished the point count I played my iPod which elicited a response from each. (No coaxing allowed on point counts but can be used post-count to confirm an individual identity.) It seems to me Brewer's have showed up in atypical habitat later in June some years perhaps as a result of drought(?) elsewhere so could be worth keeping an eye/ear open for them. I wish I could post a route summary but will have to wait until the data are processed and ready for final review (something the BBS folks could probably improve if they had the time/money to do so!).

thanks, Charles.

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com

McCall, New Meadows, and vicinity sightings

Hi All -

I'm staying in McCall at the UI McCall Campus & Outdoor Science School (MOSS) while doing field work and have finally had a chance to do some birding around town.

A couple evenings ago (5/30) I heard (but didn't see) a loon out on the lake and there was an impressive group (120+) of Western Grebes across the lake from here. There are still a number of grebes on the lake as of today but much diminished. 

I'd noted on eBird that E. Collared-Doves are now in town and indeed saw a pair on the south side of town last evening. (I suspect every town between here and Moscow and perhaps south to Boise as well now have this species).

This morning I checked the city beach and vicinity and had a Say's Phoebe, a Wilson's Warbler, and 2 Brewer's Sparrows. These were all obvious migrants w/ the phoebe and sparrows being of particular interest. I suspect the beach/Brown's Park area of McCall (& perhaps elsewhere in town) may have potential as a migrant trap due to its location on the lake and habitat oasis characteristic (not in the sense that it's good habitat but that it's different from the surrounding extensive conifer forest).

It's nice to have 4 species of swallows seemingly nesting right on the lake shore in town (Tree, Violet-green, Barn, and Cliff w/ Rough-winged also a possibility). Also fun to have Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers seemingly omnipresent in town! The sewage ponds on the south side of McCall had among other waterfowl RN Ducks and 5 Barrow's Goldeneye (New Meadows also had BAGO a few days ago) - I guess a few must nest around here (RNDU likely nest at Ponderosa SP). Also had the final 2 swallow species - Rough-winged and Bank here as well as a Wilson's Phalarope.

Field work has been good and we've found 8 woodpecker nests including a Pileated yesterday (also 4 Hairy & 3 Flicker so far). We're using Tree Top Peepers to view inside the nest cavities and are finding the nests are at various stages (e.g. HAWO range from 0 eggs - 4 young) and the PIWO had 2 lanky young along w/ Mama all crammed into the cavity! We have localized a White-headed Woodpecker pair but just can't find the nest. Also yesterday w/ found a White-breasted Nuthatch nest w/ 4 young and our most numerous cavity nester so far Red-breasted Nuthatch w/ ~10 identified nest trees and more likely. One of my crew is really into owls and has found a good number of Flammulated Owls in the area we are working south of New Meadows. We are hoping to eventually locate 1 or 2 Flam. nests. I will post updates and eventually some photos as I have time.

thanks, Charles.

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com

Fwd: eBird Report - Tolo Lake, May 25, 2012

Hi All - 

I stopped at Tolo Lk on my way home from McCall last evening and found a nice variety of (mostly) waterbirds. Highlights 6 each Eared Grebes and Red-necked Phalaropes and a single Black Tern. A pair of Ospreys are using the the platform. There were several hundred swallows foraging in the cool breezy conditions - all Tree and Bank as far as I could tell.

I also noted a Eurasian Collared-Doves along US 95 at Cottonwood and Whitebird (they are also now apparently in McCall  not surprisingly).

thanks, Charles.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Sat, May 26, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Tolo Lake, May 25, 2012
To: chaetura@gmail.com


Tolo Lake, Idaho, US-ID
May 25, 2012 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments:     Nice variety of mostly waterbirds - 24 spp total. Highlights Eared Grebe, Red-neck Phalarope, Black Tern, hundreds of swallows.
24 species

Wood Duck  1
Gadwall  2
Mallard  5
Blue-winged Teal  1
Cinnamon Teal  1
Green-winged Teal  2
Ring-necked Duck  5
Bufflehead  2
Ruddy Duck  10
Eared Grebe  6
Western Grebe  5
Osprey  2     Individual on platform (female?) and 2nd bird in area attending (male?).
American Coot  150
Red-necked Phalarope  6
Black Tern  1
Black-billed Magpie  1
American Crow  1
Common Raven  1
Tree Swallow  100
Bank Swallow  150
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3
Song Sparrow  2
Western Meadowlark  1
Yellow-headed Blackbird  4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com

Fwd: eBird Report - *Moscow - UI Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, May 1, 2012

Howdy - 

A follow-up to my report yesterday I was able to get back over and check the Arboretum more thoroughly but not much in addition to report (eBird list below). I did end up finding 3 empidonax flycatchers, 2 Hammond's and a Dusky. I also realized I had muffed the one reported earlier (was Hammond's not Dusky) totally expected for the first empid of the season! My handy iPod helped me sort out the calls - highly recommend these for simply refreshing one's memory on vocalizations in the field (and as the occasional attractant). There was also a nice "Myrtle" Warbler mixed in the flock of "Audubon's" - nice to find here in the spring. I missed Terry's Brewer's which would have been a nice add to my Moscow patch list (~175 species).

Also finally a hummer in our yard last evening, female Calliope and ~40 noisy White-crowned Sparrows in the yard this morning in chilly Moscow (37 F now w/ some occasional light sleet and snow showers).

We are off to southeast Florida on Saturday which will provide a nice change of scenery, weather, and avifauna!

thanks, Charles.

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Wed, May 2, 2012 at 8:52 AM
Subject: eBird Report - *Moscow - UI Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, May 1, 2012
To: chaetura@gmail.com


*Moscow - UI Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Latah, US-ID
May 1, 2012 10:50 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
23 species

Canada Goose  16
Mallard  2
California Quail  6
Ring-necked Pheasant  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Swainson's Hawk  1
Rock Pigeon  11
Vaux's Swift  3
Calliope Hummingbird  2
Northern Flicker  2
Hammond's Flycatcher  2
Dusky Flycatcher  1
Common Raven  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  10
American Robin  10
European Starling  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  1     Clean white throat wrapping under auriculars.
Song Sparrow  1
White-crowned Sparrow  10
Red-winged Blackbird  2
House Finch  10
Pine Siskin  6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com

Moscow area birds 4/21-22/12 (& eBird breeding codes)

Good morning - 

I had nice walks around my east Moscow neighborhood this and yesterday mornings w/ ~20 spp. on each thus netting me my "20 bird minimum daily requirement" for each day (see: http://tinyurl.com/7pbmaxf). Links to my eBird lists are below. 

Notables included American Kestrel (nesting several blocks away), Red-naped Sapsucker (foy), Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned Warbler (foy), White-crowned sparrows, Evening Grosbeak (foy). We now have at least 2 territorial Eurasian Collared-Doves within calling distance of our house (not sure what to think about that!). 

Last evening I spent several hours owling in the Kendrick-Juliaetta area (se Latah Co.) along the Potlatch R. Only Great Horned Owl to show for my efforts but enjoyed the warm evening and choruses of Pacific Tree Frogs which were widespread and calling loudly. On the way I stopped at to check the Syringa wasterwater ponds east of Moscow and had a bunch of waterfowl - 100+ individuals of 8 spp.

I've been adding breeding codes to my eBird checklists as I find evidence for breeding this spring. This is a fairly new feature in eBird and has potential to generate lots of useful information. Many states have conducted Breeding Bird Atlases (e.g. Oregon about 10 years ago) but Idaho and Washington have not. You should be able to see the breeding codes and description in my checklists. I've included a link to the eBird tutorial on breeding codes below that.

thanks, Charles.

eBird lists:

4/21 Neighborhood: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10509952

4/21 Syringa Wastewater Ponds: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10514594

4/22 Neighborhood: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10514560

eBird breeding code tutorial here:

http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/breeding-codes 

--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com

eBird google gadget (shows recent report and rarities)

If you use Google's iGoogle web portal (handy if you use gmail and other Google apps) you might want to check out this useful eBird gadget written by an avid young eBirder from MI
- described on his blog here: http://birdventure.blogspot.com/p/ebird-recent-sightings-gadget.html

You can get it directly from Google here: http://www.google.com/ig/directory?url=hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/101708404408406792358/Recent_Bird_Sightings.xml

eBird has it's own Google gadget available here (but this functionality is included in the above gadget): http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/Google_Gadget.html

You will need to enter some information such as the latilong coordinates of your home town (e.g. Moscow = 46.7300,-117.0000) which are easily attainable from the Web and the area you are interested in (I'd start w/ something like 30 km and alter as needed, too big an area may produce many records that may not be of interest).

Even if you don't use gmail etc. you can get a free Google account and run the iGoogle portal on one of your web browser tabs. There are lots of other useful gadgets that can be installed such as weather, news, Facebook, etc.


--
Charles Swift
Moscow, Idaho
46°43′54″ N, 116°59′50″ W
email: chaetura@gmail.com