Hi All -
Migrants are greatly reduced in town today after yesterdays nice push of birds. It was quieter around my house this morning and on a walk through the Shattuck Arboretum at noon. Some migrants were noted but in some cases by this date in town it's hard to determine migrant vs. local breeder. Some birds of interest noted this morning and my speculation on their status are listed below. It would be really interesting to study the ebb and flow of migration at a migrant trap like Basset park (Washtucna, Adams Co., WA). There must be a lot of existing Washtucna data - it would be great to get it into eBird and do some analysis.
Charles.
select species - east Moscow & Shattuck Arboretum, 5/21/09
Western Wood-Pewee - 1 calling on 7th St. in shady yard, migrant and local breeder in town
Warbling Vireo - probably migrants but may nest in town and has nested in UI Arboretum
Cassin's Vireo - probably migrant
Hermit Thrush - 1 AM, and 2 at Shattuck, migrants
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 7 found on walk around neighborhood this morning, all singing consistently from a localized area, appearing teritorial, will have to determine local breeding status this year!
Yellow Warbler - a pretty common breeder in town along Paradise Ck. & elsewhere, nested in my lilacs one year, presumed migrants noted in mixed flocks, or not behaving teritorially
Yellow-rumped Warbler - has probably nested in Shattuck Arboretum but also a common migrant w/ some birds coming through
Wilson's Warbler - migrants, typically trickle through until early June, most common migrant warbler after mid-May I'd guess
Western Tanager - probably migrants or non-breeders, commonly seen well into June in town
Black-headed Grosbeak - same as W. Tanager
Lazuli Bunting - migrants
Chipping Sparrow - just a few scattered, mostly migrants but nests around on the edge of town
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1 flew through my yard this AM, migrant
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Fwd: Moscow noon bird report, 5/20/09
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Subject: Moscow noon bird report, 5/20/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Howdy -
Lots of birds still moving through Moscow at noon today. In an apartment parking lot (w/ trees!) in downtown Moscow just before 1:00 PM were BH Grosbeak, multiple Western Tanagers, mutiple Lazuli Buntings, Cassin's & Warbling Vireos, Orange-crowned Warbler, multiple Chipping Sparrows, etc. Also Cedar Waxwings have returned in good numbers just in the past few days (there seems to be a gap between the wintering birds dissapearance and breeders arrival). Also along Paradise Creek were Calliope Hummingbirds, Yellow Warblers, and Song Sparrows and plenty of Barn and Violet-green Swallows on campus. Will try around the house again when I get home!
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Subject: Moscow noon bird report, 5/20/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Howdy -
Lots of birds still moving through Moscow at noon today. In an apartment parking lot (w/ trees!) in downtown Moscow just before 1:00 PM were BH Grosbeak, multiple Western Tanagers, mutiple Lazuli Buntings, Cassin's & Warbling Vireos, Orange-crowned Warbler, multiple Chipping Sparrows, etc. Also Cedar Waxwings have returned in good numbers just in the past few days (there seems to be a gap between the wintering birds dissapearance and breeders arrival). Also along Paradise Creek were Calliope Hummingbirds, Yellow Warblers, and Song Sparrows and plenty of Barn and Violet-green Swallows on campus. Will try around the house again when I get home!
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Moscow White-winged Crossbills, lots of migrants, 5/20/09
Hi All -
This chilly (low 40's) morning was great for migrants around my house and got even better when I found 5 White-winged Crossbills a couple blocks south of my house. There were 2 very nice adult males, 2 females, and a younger, streaky male. They were feeding in a deciduous tree w/ winged seeds (eating new buds I guess) along w/ several Red Crossbills, 3 Western Tanagers and 4 Black-headed Grosbeaks (an interesting combination). They were giving soft chut-chut calls. It was very sastifying to find these after several false alarms back in March and having flocks of crossbills flying over frequently the past few weeks.
As for migrants, warblers, Lazuli Buntings, tanagers, grosbeaks, and Chipping Sparrows (again) were the most common this morning. It's getting harder to get a good count w/ the trees (finally) leafing out but there were about 5 each of Yellow, Townsend's, and Wilson's Warblers, Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Lazuli Buntings. There were about 50 Chipping Sparrows in and around the yard and also about 30 yesterday. There were lesser numbers of Hammond's (3) and Dusky (1) Flycatchers, 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers (all females), Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds, and a couple Ruby-crowned Kinglets. No new arrivals although I thought I heard a pewee at one point.
The continuing cool weather here seems to be keeping a lot of migrants in town. This is the best May for migrants here in Moscow I think I've had in several years.
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
This chilly (low 40's) morning was great for migrants around my house and got even better when I found 5 White-winged Crossbills a couple blocks south of my house. There were 2 very nice adult males, 2 females, and a younger, streaky male. They were feeding in a deciduous tree w/ winged seeds (eating new buds I guess) along w/ several Red Crossbills, 3 Western Tanagers and 4 Black-headed Grosbeaks (an interesting combination). They were giving soft chut-chut calls. It was very sastifying to find these after several false alarms back in March and having flocks of crossbills flying over frequently the past few weeks.
As for migrants, warblers, Lazuli Buntings, tanagers, grosbeaks, and Chipping Sparrows (again) were the most common this morning. It's getting harder to get a good count w/ the trees (finally) leafing out but there were about 5 each of Yellow, Townsend's, and Wilson's Warblers, Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Lazuli Buntings. There were about 50 Chipping Sparrows in and around the yard and also about 30 yesterday. There were lesser numbers of Hammond's (3) and Dusky (1) Flycatchers, 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers (all females), Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds, and a couple Ruby-crowned Kinglets. No new arrivals although I thought I heard a pewee at one point.
The continuing cool weather here seems to be keeping a lot of migrants in town. This is the best May for migrants here in Moscow I think I've had in several years.
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Benewah Co. report part #1 - Desmet Sewage Ponds , 5/17/09
I just noticed on Google Maps there are also sewage ponds in Tensed just a bit to the north although I can't tell if they are accessible. This area of southwestern Benewah Co. is very much like western Latah Co. w/ rolling Palouse hills merging into the "Hoo Doo" Range (as it's known locally).
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Desmet Sewage Ponds
Observation date: 5/17/09
Notes: The ponds were mostly scoped from the cemetery to the west (and some birds from that location are included). A group of 7 Ring-billed Gulls came in for a look just as I was leaving - about 4 of the 7 were 2nd year birds (hatched last year).
Number of species: 17
Gadwall 4
Cinnamon Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 5
Ruddy Duck 1
American Coot 8
Wilson's Phalarope 7
Ring-billed Gull 7
Northern Flicker 1
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 1
American Robin 1
European Starling 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Western Meadowlark 2
Yellow-headed Blackbird 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Observation date: 5/17/09
Notes: The ponds were mostly scoped from the cemetery to the west (and some birds from that location are included). A group of 7 Ring-billed Gulls came in for a look just as I was leaving - about 4 of the 7 were 2nd year birds (hatched last year).
Number of species: 17
Gadwall 4
Cinnamon Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 5
Ruddy Duck 1
American Coot 8
Wilson's Phalarope 7
Ring-billed Gull 7
Northern Flicker 1
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 1
American Robin 1
European Starling 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Western Meadowlark 2
Yellow-headed Blackbird 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Moscow area birds, 5/16/09
With this warm weather most of the migrants moved out of my neighborhood (and probably most of Moscow) overnight. I had loads of Chippings Sparrows as well as a smattering of vireos and warblers through yesterday afternoon right around my yard but it was pretty quiet this morning.
Sara de la Rue and I checked out Heron's Hideout and Bring Park in southeast Moscow this morning and had several interesting finds. The first is a restored natural area along Paradise Creek that I've been mostly checking in the fall for migrants. This morning we had a Wilson's Snipe displaying as if on territory and a couple of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in wet meadows & a small patch cattails. Also present were Yellow Warblers and Song Sparrows in the Willows and brush along Paradise Creek as they are elsewhere in town. The suprising find was a Lincoln's Sparrow singing from a yard on the edge of the wet meadow. Move this meadow a couple thousand feet higher and this would be fine breeding habitat for the species. We ended up w/ 27 species - not bad for right in town.
Later this afternoon I ventured north of Moscow (Iris suggested a car nap which was fine by me). A 15 mintute stop at the Viola Sewage Ponds yielded 22 species including a couple Spotted Sandipers (FOY), 2 Wilson's and 1 Red-necked Phalaropes among others. Like Syringa this spot can be virtually dead on some visits (although in mid May most stops are likely to produce something of interes!). From there we went north to Palouse, WA and the east back into Idaho and along the Palouse River. There were loads of swallows over the Palouse R. floodplain and a another likely singing Lincoln's Sparrow - surprising again to hear in migration (presumably).
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Sara de la Rue and I checked out Heron's Hideout and Bring Park in southeast Moscow this morning and had several interesting finds. The first is a restored natural area along Paradise Creek that I've been mostly checking in the fall for migrants. This morning we had a Wilson's Snipe displaying as if on territory and a couple of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in wet meadows & a small patch cattails. Also present were Yellow Warblers and Song Sparrows in the Willows and brush along Paradise Creek as they are elsewhere in town. The suprising find was a Lincoln's Sparrow singing from a yard on the edge of the wet meadow. Move this meadow a couple thousand feet higher and this would be fine breeding habitat for the species. We ended up w/ 27 species - not bad for right in town.
Later this afternoon I ventured north of Moscow (Iris suggested a car nap which was fine by me). A 15 mintute stop at the Viola Sewage Ponds yielded 22 species including a couple Spotted Sandipers (FOY), 2 Wilson's and 1 Red-necked Phalaropes among others. Like Syringa this spot can be virtually dead on some visits (although in mid May most stops are likely to produce something of interes!). From there we went north to Palouse, WA and the east back into Idaho and along the Palouse River. There were loads of swallows over the Palouse R. floodplain and a another likely singing Lincoln's Sparrow - surprising again to hear in migration (presumably).
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
Fwd: eBird Report - Spring Valley Reservoir , 5/15/09
A quick afternoon trip to Spring Valley Res. east of Moscow produced a California Gull - uncommon in the county but seemingly regular at this location at least in June and perhaps earlier in spring. Also a breeding plumage Horned Grebe and the usual suspects listed below. Syringa just on the eastern edge of Moscow failed to produce phalaropes but did have 7 species of waterfowl plus a bunch of coots (full list below). This small pair of ponds is often virtually devoid of waterbirds but at other times can be quite busy.
good bird'n!
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
good bird'n!
Charles.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Spring Valley Reservoir , 5/15/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Spring Valley Reservoir
Observation date: 5/15/09
Notes: Quick trip to res. so Iris can nap in car. Despite time and lots of fisherfolk around lake a fair number of birds around incl. several year birds.
Number of species: 22
Canada Goose 25
Mallard 2
Northern Shoveler 2
Ruddy Duck 8
Horned Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Osprey 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 11
Killdeer 1
California Gull 1
Vaux's Swift 2
Calliope Hummingbird 1
Common Raven 2
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 5
Yellow Warbler 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Location: Syringa Ponds
Observation date: 5/15/09
Number of species: 11
Canada Goose 2
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 2
Mallard 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck 9
American Coot 11
Tree Swallow 2
Black-headed Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Spring Valley Reservoir , 5/15/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Spring Valley Reservoir
Observation date: 5/15/09
Notes: Quick trip to res. so Iris can nap in car. Despite time and lots of fisherfolk around lake a fair number of birds around incl. several year birds.
Number of species: 22
Canada Goose 25
Mallard 2
Northern Shoveler 2
Ruddy Duck 8
Horned Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Osprey 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 11
Killdeer 1
California Gull 1
Vaux's Swift 2
Calliope Hummingbird 1
Common Raven 2
Tree Swallow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 5
Yellow Warbler 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Location: Syringa Ponds
Observation date: 5/15/09
Number of species: 11
Canada Goose 2
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 2
Mallard 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck 9
American Coot 11
Tree Swallow 2
Black-headed Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Fwd: eBird Report - Foothill Rd. ponds , 5/14/09
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Foothill Rd. ponds , 5/14/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
I hit several wetlands north of Moscow yesterday afternoon. A few new species included Wilson's Phalarope and Common Yellowthroat at Foothill Rd. ponds (compete list below for that location) and several Soras calling spontaneously at the "Sora Spot" wetlands on Mountainview Rd. Also personal FOYs were Bank Swallow (a couple migrants at the Sora spot) and Blue-winged Teal. I've added 22 species to my Latah Co. year list just this week - there's nothing like spring migration and new arrivals!
The Red-tailed Hawks mentioned below are on nest just south of the ponds.
thanks. Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Foothill Rd. ponds , 5/14/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
I hit several wetlands north of Moscow yesterday afternoon. A few new species included Wilson's Phalarope and Common Yellowthroat at Foothill Rd. ponds (compete list below for that location) and several Soras calling spontaneously at the "Sora Spot" wetlands on Mountainview Rd. Also personal FOYs were Bank Swallow (a couple migrants at the Sora spot) and Blue-winged Teal. I've added 22 species to my Latah Co. year list just this week - there's nothing like spring migration and new arrivals!
The Red-tailed Hawks mentioned below are on nest just south of the ponds.
thanks. Charles.
Location: Foothill Rd. ponds
Observation date: 5/14/09
Notes: A nice variety of birds in 15 minutes in between rain showers including a few FOYs.
Number of species: 18
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 2
Cinnamon Teal 2
Green-winged Teal 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Wilson's Phalarope 3
Tree Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 1
American Robin 1
European Starling 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Yellow-headed Blackbird 2
Brewer's Blackbird 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Observation date: 5/14/09
Notes: A nice variety of birds in 15 minutes in between rain showers including a few FOYs.
Number of species: 18
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 2
Cinnamon Teal 2
Green-winged Teal 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Wilson's Phalarope 3
Tree Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 1
American Robin 1
European Starling 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Yellow-headed Blackbird 2
Brewer's Blackbird 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Fwd: eBird Report - Moscow - East Side (My Home) , 5/15/09
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Moscow - East Side (My Home) , 5/15/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Good Morning -
Another good morning for migrants here on the east side of Moscow- complete list below. Fewer birds in number and diversity and no new species with the most numerous being Hammond's Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Chipping Sparrows. The House Wrens are gone (although there was one in the yard through the afternoon yesterday) so presumably were migrants. Only 1 unidentified hummingbird this morning so they seem to have moved on (only Black-chinned nests in my immediate vicinity). No Western Wood-Pewees yet which are normally expected by now - perhaps they are late as well. Hermit Thrushes (2-3) were singing in my yard this morning - nice!
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Moscow - East Side (My Home) , 5/15/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Good Morning -
Another good morning for migrants here on the east side of Moscow- complete list below. Fewer birds in number and diversity and no new species with the most numerous being Hammond's Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Chipping Sparrows. The House Wrens are gone (although there was one in the yard through the afternoon yesterday) so presumably were migrants. Only 1 unidentified hummingbird this morning so they seem to have moved on (only Black-chinned nests in my immediate vicinity). No Western Wood-Pewees yet which are normally expected by now - perhaps they are late as well. Hermit Thrushes (2-3) were singing in my yard this morning - nice!
thanks, Charles.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Moscow - East Side (My Home) , 5/15/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Moscow - East Side (My Home)
Observation date: 5/15/09
Notes: A good number of migrants again this morning but somewhat fewer in number and diversity and nothing new. Hermit Thrushes were in the yard, singing and calling. Most Chipping Sparrows were again at Apt. complex a block east of the house.
Number of species: 29
Ring-necked Pheasant 2
California Quail 1
Mourning Dove 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Hammond's Flycatcher 7
Dusky Flycatcher 2
Cassin's Vireo 3
Warbling Vireo 4
American Crow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 10
European Starling 9
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Townsend's Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 60
Lazuli Bunting 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 5
Red Crossbill 2
Pine Siskin 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Moscow - East Side (My Home) , 5/15/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Moscow - East Side (My Home)
Observation date: 5/15/09
Notes: A good number of migrants again this morning but somewhat fewer in number and diversity and nothing new. Hermit Thrushes were in the yard, singing and calling. Most Chipping Sparrows were again at Apt. complex a block east of the house.
Number of species: 29
Ring-necked Pheasant 2
California Quail 1
Mourning Dove 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Hammond's Flycatcher 7
Dusky Flycatcher 2
Cassin's Vireo 3
Warbling Vireo 4
American Crow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 10
European Starling 9
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Townsend's Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 60
Lazuli Bunting 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 5
Red Crossbill 2
Pine Siskin 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Moscow, 5/14/09, big migrant movement, esp. Chipping Sparrows
Hi All -
Lots of migrants moving through Moscow this morning stalled out presumably by this strong front after favorable migration conditions overnight (and birds bottled up to our south). I had 34 species in an hour this morning in a couple blocks around my house (complete list below) w/ several new arrivals such Wilson's and MacGillivray's Warbler.
Especially evident this morning was a large number of Chipping Sparrows including a *huge* flock in the Heritage Grove in front of the UI Administration conservatively estimated at 250. I also had 60+ near my house and another ~80 in the Shattuck Arboretum. Also in the Shattuck were 3 more Hermit Thrushes, a Lincoln's Sparrow, and a smattering of other migrants.
I expect this wind may drop some shorebird as well. I'd be getting out to sheltered locations and shorebird spots to see what's around (just wish I could be out all morning!).
Charles.
Location: Moscow - East Side (My Home)
Observation date: 5/14/09
Notes: Great movement of migrants this morning. House Wrens (2) were new yard birds (somewhat amazingly). Hermit Thrushes were singing and 1 gave interesting towhee-like (zwhee) call and chuk notes.
Number of species: 34
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Rufous Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Hammond's Flycatcher 4
Dusky Flycatcher 2
Cassin's Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 1
American Crow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 8
European Starling 15
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Townsend's Warbler 4
MacGillivray's Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler 3
Western Tanager 4
Chipping Sparrow 60
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Black-headed Grosbeak 2
Lazuli Bunting 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Cassin's Finch 1
House Finch 8
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Lots of migrants moving through Moscow this morning stalled out presumably by this strong front after favorable migration conditions overnight (and birds bottled up to our south). I had 34 species in an hour this morning in a couple blocks around my house (complete list below) w/ several new arrivals such Wilson's and MacGillivray's Warbler.
Especially evident this morning was a large number of Chipping Sparrows including a *huge* flock in the Heritage Grove in front of the UI Administration conservatively estimated at 250. I also had 60+ near my house and another ~80 in the Shattuck Arboretum. Also in the Shattuck were 3 more Hermit Thrushes, a Lincoln's Sparrow, and a smattering of other migrants.
I expect this wind may drop some shorebird as well. I'd be getting out to sheltered locations and shorebird spots to see what's around (just wish I could be out all morning!).
Charles.
Location: Moscow - East Side (My Home)
Observation date: 5/14/09
Notes: Great movement of migrants this morning. House Wrens (2) were new yard birds (somewhat amazingly). Hermit Thrushes were singing and 1 gave interesting towhee-like (zwhee) call and chuk notes.
Number of species: 34
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Rufous Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Hammond's Flycatcher 4
Dusky Flycatcher 2
Cassin's Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 1
American Crow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 8
European Starling 15
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Townsend's Warbler 4
MacGillivray's Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler 3
Western Tanager 4
Chipping Sparrow 60
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Black-headed Grosbeak 2
Lazuli Bunting 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Cassin's Finch 1
House Finch 8
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Moscow Lewis's Woodpecker, etc., 5/13/09
Hi All -
I had a Lewis's Woodpecker in one of the large Maple trees around my yard this yard this morning. Unfortunately when I ran into the house for the camera it disappeared. This is the second for my yard, also had one down the street in 2006. I think the Hoff's (a couple blocks away) get them from time to time in spring and they've showed up on campus before. Always nice to see.
[Another showed up in the yard on 5/22 and this time I had the camera at the ready and was able to get this image.]
Not much else in the way of migrants except 1 each Hammond's and Dusky Flycatchers (both vocalizing), 1 each Cassin's and Warbling Vireos, and a Townsend's Warbler singing somewhere nearby. A Rufous Humminbird has been in the lilacs since yesterday - attracted probably by the blooming Oregon Grape. I put a couple feeders up yesterday and saw him at it in the evening.
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Not much else in the way of migrants except 1 each Hammond's and Dusky Flycatchers (both vocalizing), 1 each Cassin's and Warbling Vireos, and a Townsend's Warbler singing somewhere nearby. A Rufous Humminbird has been in the lilacs since yesterday - attracted probably by the blooming Oregon Grape. I put a couple feeders up yesterday and saw him at it in the evening.
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Fwd: eBird Report - Wakodahatchee Wetlands , 5/6/09
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Thu, May 7, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Wakodahatchee Wetlands , 5/6/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Wakodahatchee Wetlands
Observation date: 5/6/09
Notes: With Sam Hunter, Tshering Tsherpa, Deb, and Iris. A nice walk around the wetlands - first visit for me. Hot (mid 80's) but good cloud cover and nice breeze plus low humidity made it reasonable. Loads of birds - most Anhingas I've seen in one place! Only sort of miss was Little Ble Heron (where are they - nesting??) and generally low numbers of herons except for the few that were nesting there. The fairly low number of species made up by the high quality including a couple Least Bitterns and Purple Gallinules.
Number of species: 33
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 5
Mottled Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Anhinga 120 on nest w/ young
Least Bittern 2
Great Blue Heron 15 on nest w/ young
Great Egret 5 on nest
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 25 on nest w/ downy young
Cattle Egret 5 on nest
Green Heron 5
White Ibis 7
Glossy Ibis 3
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Purple Gallinule 2
Common Moorhen 70 many young including some downy young
Black-necked Stilt 4
Least Tern 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 25
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 1
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Boat-tailed Grackle 80
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Thu, May 7, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Wakodahatchee Wetlands , 5/6/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Wakodahatchee Wetlands
Observation date: 5/6/09
Notes: With Sam Hunter, Tshering Tsherpa, Deb, and Iris. A nice walk around the wetlands - first visit for me. Hot (mid 80's) but good cloud cover and nice breeze plus low humidity made it reasonable. Loads of birds - most Anhingas I've seen in one place! Only sort of miss was Little Ble Heron (where are they - nesting??) and generally low numbers of herons except for the few that were nesting there. The fairly low number of species made up by the high quality including a couple Least Bitterns and Purple Gallinules.
Number of species: 33
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 5
Mottled Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Anhinga 120 on nest w/ young
Least Bittern 2
Great Blue Heron 15 on nest w/ young
Great Egret 5 on nest
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 25 on nest w/ downy young
Cattle Egret 5 on nest
Green Heron 5
White Ibis 7
Glossy Ibis 3
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Purple Gallinule 2
Common Moorhen 70 many young including some downy young
Black-necked Stilt 4
Least Tern 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 25
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 1
Fish Crow 10
Purple Martin 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Boat-tailed Grackle 80
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Fwd: Moscow birds, 4/30/09
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Subject: Moscow birds, 4/30/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
Not much going on migrant-wise in Moscow as it's been most of April. The UI Arboreta were fairly quiet today as they've been most days that I visited the past few weeks - just a few kinglets of both species, WC Sparrows, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler or 2. I did have a couple singing Nashville Warblers on the way in to work this morning and have had a few Cassin's Vireos, RC Kinglets, and YR Warblers around my house fairly regularly in the past couple of weeks.
This morning I had a flock of some 25 Red Crossbills in my yard which was pretty exciting. They were initially picking at buds on Maple and Apple trees and then later coming in to the feeders. Also w/ the crossbills at the feeders was at least 1 Cassin's Finches, a siskin, and a number of goldfinches, not to mention the ever-present House Finches - a very finchy morning at our place. Red Crossbills are pretty regular fly overs here but they don't often stop in the yard and have only visited the feeders a few times while we've lived in Moscow. I was able to stufy the crossbills pretty carefully and there were no juveniles w/ female types out numbering males. The adult (or near adult) males varied in intesnsity of red and some had yellow in a few places. My early morning yard surveys are paying off!
Good bird'n,
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Subject: Moscow birds, 4/30/09
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
Not much going on migrant-wise in Moscow as it's been most of April. The UI Arboreta were fairly quiet today as they've been most days that I visited the past few weeks - just a few kinglets of both species, WC Sparrows, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler or 2. I did have a couple singing Nashville Warblers on the way in to work this morning and have had a few Cassin's Vireos, RC Kinglets, and YR Warblers around my house fairly regularly in the past couple of weeks.
This morning I had a flock of some 25 Red Crossbills in my yard which was pretty exciting. They were initially picking at buds on Maple and Apple trees and then later coming in to the feeders. Also w/ the crossbills at the feeders was at least 1 Cassin's Finches, a siskin, and a number of goldfinches, not to mention the ever-present House Finches - a very finchy morning at our place. Red Crossbills are pretty regular fly overs here but they don't often stop in the yard and have only visited the feeders a few times while we've lived in Moscow. I was able to stufy the crossbills pretty carefully and there were no juveniles w/ female types out numbering males. The adult (or near adult) males varied in intesnsity of red and some had yellow in a few places. My early morning yard surveys are paying off!
Good bird'n,
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Moscow yard birds and eBird import tool
Hi All -
I had a Lincoln's Sparrow in my backyard lilac hedge this morning and it was still skulking around just a few minutes ago when I stepped out the back door. I put some bird seed down a few days ago so perhaps that is keeping it around. It's not the first for my yard but it's been quite a while so was nice to see (and I never get tired of seeing Lincoln's Sparrows).
Not coincidentally I started doing 5-15 minute morning bird surveys (species list below) a few weeks ago - it's a nice way to start the day. I'm recording all birds seen or heard from right around the yard and recording them in an excel spread sheet. Then every couple weeks I will import them into eBird using the import tool. It's much easier and quicker than submitting a checklist to eBird. I'm also doing this for some of the water spots around Moscow that I check somewhat regularly keeping those data in a separate excel file. (This is also a good way to import sightings from Avisys or other listing programs.) Complete instructions and record formats are on the eBird web site here: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/using-the-ebird-data-import-tool
good bird'n,
Charles.
birds species seen/heard on morning bird surveys near my east Moscow yard since 4/20/09
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
I had a Lincoln's Sparrow in my backyard lilac hedge this morning and it was still skulking around just a few minutes ago when I stepped out the back door. I put some bird seed down a few days ago so perhaps that is keeping it around. It's not the first for my yard but it's been quite a while so was nice to see (and I never get tired of seeing Lincoln's Sparrows).
Not coincidentally I started doing 5-15 minute morning bird surveys (species list below) a few weeks ago - it's a nice way to start the day. I'm recording all birds seen or heard from right around the yard and recording them in an excel spread sheet. Then every couple weeks I will import them into eBird using the import tool. It's much easier and quicker than submitting a checklist to eBird. I'm also doing this for some of the water spots around Moscow that I check somewhat regularly keeping those data in a separate excel file. (This is also a good way to import sightings from Avisys or other listing programs.) Complete instructions and record formats are on the eBird web site here: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/using-the-ebird-data-import-tool
good bird'n,
Charles.
birds species seen/heard on morning bird surveys near my east Moscow yard since 4/20/09
| Canada Goose |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk |
| Ring-necked Pheasant |
| California Quail |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove |
| Common Raven |
| American Crow |
| Varied Thrush |
| American Robin |
| Downy Woodpecker |
| Northern Flicker |
| Cassin's Vireo |
| Black-capped Chickadee |
| Mountain Chickadee |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet |
| European Starling |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
| Lincoln's Sparrow |
| White-crowned Sparrow |
| House Finch |
| Pine Siskin |
| American Goldfinch |
| Pine Grosbeak |
| Red Crossbill |
| Brown-headed Cowbird |
| House Sparrow |
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Monday, April 20, 2009
Fwd: Moscow birds, 4/20/09
First off I had a single Pine Grosbeak calling and then flying over my house this morning around 0700 on the east side of Moscow.
Later in the morning I took a hike across campus through the old arboretum, the new arboretum/botanical gardens, down to the Sand Rd. wetlands at the south end of the arb and then back to my office. It was about 65 F by 10:30 and on warm days like this birding can be kind of slow on campus.
Out of about 25 species total I only had a handful of migrants - Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6), Golden-crowned Kinglet (2) and a couple White-crowned Sparrows (and another small flock of WCSP on the way into work this AM). I also had a local FOY Barn Swallow along Sand Rd. that is perhaps a few days earlier than normal up here at 2500'. Also of interest a Say's Phoebe on Sand Rd., a snipe calling in the wetlands, a coot eating the rapidly growing aquatic veg. in the upper arboretum pond, and a single light morph Swainson's Hawk cruising around the general area. I was hoping for a hummingbird but there are no trees or shrubs blooming in the arboretum yet.
I've seen very few reports of the usual mid-April neo-trpoical migrants so far - Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, Nashville Warbler, Cassin's Vireo, etc. Are they just passing through quickly w/ the fair weather??
thanks,
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Fwd: eBird Report - Moscow - East City Area (centered on E. City Park) , 4/12/09
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Moscow - East City Area (centered on E. City Park) , 4/12/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Moscow - East City Area (centered on E. City Park)
Observation date: 4/12/09
Notes: AM walk w/ Sarah de la Rue around the Ft. Russel and over to Seventh in search of finches etc. Pine Grosbeak was at E. City Park, GH Owl at Moore & Homestead, a few migrants detected.
Number of species: 21
Ring-necked Pheasant 3
California Quail 6
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 3
Great Horned Owl 1
Northern Flicker 6
American Crow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 30
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Pine Grosbeak 1
House Finch 30
Red Crossbill 5
Pine Siskin 20
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Moscow - East City Area (centered on E. City Park) , 4/12/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Moscow - East City Area (centered on E. City Park)
Observation date: 4/12/09
Notes: AM walk w/ Sarah de la Rue around the Ft. Russel and over to Seventh in search of finches etc. Pine Grosbeak was at E. City Park, GH Owl at Moore & Homestead, a few migrants detected.
Number of species: 21
Ring-necked Pheasant 3
California Quail 6
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 3
Great Horned Owl 1
Northern Flicker 6
American Crow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 30
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Pine Grosbeak 1
House Finch 30
Red Crossbill 5
Pine Siskin 20
House Sparrow X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Fwd: crossbill vocalizations
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Subject: crossbill vocalizations
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
I tracked down a Red Crossbill near my house this morning which I initially thought might be a White-winged giving a series of notes (essentially a song I'd say) including some chet-chet notes . In retrospect it was a typical Red Crossbill "song" but the interspersed call notes were more subdued than the typical sharp, high jip notes of Red Crossbills. It was a first year male so perhaps this had something to do with it but I suppose one should be careful with anything that sounds like a jip-jip (or chip-chip, chet-chet, etc.), subdued or otherwise. I'm sure in the past I've always erred on the side of assuming any crossbill like call was most likely a Red Crossbill but have become a bit complacent this early spring with the White-winged Crossbill invasion.
In any case I'm feeling less confident about some of the birds I've been hearing since March that I'd thought were White-winged (although I don't doubt there were (are?) some still around since the January-February time frame). The White-winged Crossbill flocks give a distinctive harsh chatter (described as static by some and similar to redpoll flock chatter). It's the individual fly-over birds that seem to be more problematic and I haven't quite nailed down the "cheit-cheit-cheit " call described below.
Here is how BNA descirbes White-winged Crossbill calls:
"One, a distinctive call often given in flight, described as "a very dry, rapid chut-chut-chut-chut " (Russell 1976), similar to the chatter of redpolls. Another flight call "a nasal, querulous cheit-cheit-cheit " (Russell 1976). Distinctive alarm calls made when disturbed; one described as a rough and burry " tchet, tchet, tchet " (Austin 1968). Also, a call given by solitary birds to attract other crossbills (Fig. 3 bottom). Juveniles give a distinct single note begging call (chit; Groth 1992)."
I'd be interested to hear impressions of others who had a chance to study the White-winged Crossbill vocalizations this winter or from other experience.
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Subject: crossbill vocalizations
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
I tracked down a Red Crossbill near my house this morning which I initially thought might be a White-winged giving a series of notes (essentially a song I'd say) including some chet-chet notes . In retrospect it was a typical Red Crossbill "song" but the interspersed call notes were more subdued than the typical sharp, high jip notes of Red Crossbills. It was a first year male so perhaps this had something to do with it but I suppose one should be careful with anything that sounds like a jip-jip (or chip-chip, chet-chet, etc.), subdued or otherwise. I'm sure in the past I've always erred on the side of assuming any crossbill like call was most likely a Red Crossbill but have become a bit complacent this early spring with the White-winged Crossbill invasion.
In any case I'm feeling less confident about some of the birds I've been hearing since March that I'd thought were White-winged (although I don't doubt there were (are?) some still around since the January-February time frame). The White-winged Crossbill flocks give a distinctive harsh chatter (described as static by some and similar to redpoll flock chatter). It's the individual fly-over birds that seem to be more problematic and I haven't quite nailed down the "cheit-cheit-cheit " call described below.
Here is how BNA descirbes White-winged Crossbill calls:
"One, a distinctive call often given in flight, described as "a very dry, rapid chut-chut-chut-chut " (Russell 1976), similar to the chatter of redpolls. Another flight call "a nasal, querulous cheit-cheit-cheit " (Russell 1976). Distinctive alarm calls made when disturbed; one described as a rough and burry " tchet, tchet, tchet " (Austin 1968). Also, a call given by solitary birds to attract other crossbills (Fig. 3 bottom). Juveniles give a distinct single note begging call (chit; Groth 1992)."
I'd be interested to hear impressions of others who had a chance to study the White-winged Crossbill vocalizations this winter or from other experience.
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Moscow area sightings, 4/10-11/09
Great to see all the posts of spring arrivals around the region. Yesterday I had a few hours in the PM to drive around a bit north of Moscow.
Black-necked Stilts - still present at the lower Foothill Rd pond as Terry mentioned - I counted 6 around 3 PM.
Wilson's Snipe - 1 calling at the Sora spot
Northern Harrier - a nice male ("gray ghost") near Potlatch just south of the bridge over the Potlatch River (also interestingly I watched a Red-tailed Hawk fly under this bridge to join its mate on the other side) any male at this date might be suspected of breeding nearby
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - first of spring for me singing along Pine Crest Rd.
also of interest around my east Moscow house today & yesterday -
Eurasian Collared-Dove - heard one nearby this morning, no doubt its origin is the group that has been hanging near Ray & Bettie Hoff's, a new yard bird (gets me close to 100 species heard or seen from or in the yard), briefly made me think I was in Florida!
possible (probable??) Bohemian Waxwing flyby, typical low trilling call, plenty of starlings in the area although I'm not sure this call could be readily mimiced
Varried Thrush - an individual has been singing on and off near our house for a couple of weeks now, nice to have one even though we haven't seen it yet
Pine Siskins - seem to be a lot around town now and they are very noisy!
White-winged Crossbills - I've continued to hear small flocks and individual birds flying over almost daily that I presumed were these but figured I better check some out and managed to track down a male and female near the house atop tall spruces, they appear to be still in the lowlands and breeding should be watched for (not unusual after irruption years), have been giving a variety of calls incl. harsh flight calls
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Black-necked Stilts - still present at the lower Foothill Rd pond as Terry mentioned - I counted 6 around 3 PM.
Wilson's Snipe - 1 calling at the Sora spot
Northern Harrier - a nice male ("gray ghost") near Potlatch just south of the bridge over the Potlatch River (also interestingly I watched a Red-tailed Hawk fly under this bridge to join its mate on the other side) any male at this date might be suspected of breeding nearby
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - first of spring for me singing along Pine Crest Rd.
also of interest around my east Moscow house today & yesterday -
Eurasian Collared-Dove - heard one nearby this morning, no doubt its origin is the group that has been hanging near Ray & Bettie Hoff's, a new yard bird (gets me close to 100 species heard or seen from or in the yard), briefly made me think I was in Florida!
possible (probable??) Bohemian Waxwing flyby, typical low trilling call, plenty of starlings in the area although I'm not sure this call could be readily mimiced
Varried Thrush - an individual has been singing on and off near our house for a couple of weeks now, nice to have one even though we haven't seen it yet
Pine Siskins - seem to be a lot around town now and they are very noisy!
White-winged Crossbills - I've continued to hear small flocks and individual birds flying over almost daily that I presumed were these but figured I better check some out and managed to track down a male and female near the house atop tall spruces, they appear to be still in the lowlands and breeding should be watched for (not unusual after irruption years), have been giving a variety of calls incl. harsh flight calls
thanks, Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Fwd: eBird Report - Moscow - U. of Idaho Main Campus , 4/7/09
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Moscow - U. of Idaho Main Campus , 4/7/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Moscow - U. of Idaho Main Campus
Observation date: 4/7/09
Notes: First walk of spring through the Arboretum on a warm (almost too warm) early April day. Ran into Terry and chatted for 15 minutes or so.
Number of species: 13
Canada Goose 1
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
California Quail 6
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Mountain Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Dark-eyed Junco 20
House Finch X
Pine Siskin 15
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
From: <do-not-reply@ebird.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Moscow - U. of Idaho Main Campus , 4/7/09
To: chaetura@gmail.com
Location: Moscow - U. of Idaho Main Campus
Observation date: 4/7/09
Notes: First walk of spring through the Arboretum on a warm (almost too warm) early April day. Ran into Terry and chatted for 15 minutes or so.
Number of species: 13
Canada Goose 1
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
California Quail 6
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Mountain Chickadee 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Dark-eyed Junco 20
House Finch X
Pine Siskin 15
This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Fwd: eBird Google gadget
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Subject: eBird Google gadget
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
With the increasing use of eBird folks might want to check out the eBird google gadget. This is a "feed" from eBird that shows review species that have been submitted to eBird in recent days, the review status of the sighting, the observer, and a link to a google map w/ the exact location of the sighting. The google map also can generate directions to the location fairly easily. The only caveat is that the location might be misleading if it is for a travelling count or the observer does not specify an exact location (for example uses only the county in which case the observation will show up in the geographical center of the county - something the Cornell eBird folks have been trying to discourage).
There are other ways to explore eBird data and generate distribution maps and bar charts showing seasonal abundance that are available to anyone who has a (free) eBird user account. The Google gadget is available regardless.
More information here - http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/Google_Gadget.html. You do need a (free) google account to create an iGoogle home page where you can install the gadget.
thanks,
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Subject: eBird Google gadget
To: inland birders <inland-nw-birders@uidaho.edu>
Hi All -
With the increasing use of eBird folks might want to check out the eBird google gadget. This is a "feed" from eBird that shows review species that have been submitted to eBird in recent days, the review status of the sighting, the observer, and a link to a google map w/ the exact location of the sighting. The google map also can generate directions to the location fairly easily. The only caveat is that the location might be misleading if it is for a travelling count or the observer does not specify an exact location (for example uses only the county in which case the observation will show up in the geographical center of the county - something the Cornell eBird folks have been trying to discourage).
There are other ways to explore eBird data and generate distribution maps and bar charts showing seasonal abundance that are available to anyone who has a (free) eBird user account. The Google gadget is available regardless.
More information here - http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/Google_Gadget.html. You do need a (free) google account to create an iGoogle home page where you can install the gadget.
thanks,
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
Friday, April 03, 2009
Idaho Mountain Quail
This was in response to an RFI posted on the Idaho birders email list.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: [IBLE] Mountain Quail RFI
To: ible@yahoogroups.com
Jay & all -
You might check w/ Rita Dixon at the IDFG conservation data center (or whatever it's called now) for recent sightings. Although there have not been any recent reports from birders from the Rapid River area (probably mostly because nobody looks very much) that population had been fairly stable and likely persists. Actually a bit upstream on either side of the Little Salmon R. near Pollock and the Pinehurst Resort is probably the better place to check. The Birder's Guide to Idaho (pp. 110-111) mentions a number of roads worth checking in this area - FR 624 and Denny Creek Rd. in particular (FR 624 also has White-headed Woodpeckers). A house on the west side of the Little Salmon R. near Pinehurst used to have a flock of M. Quail that wintered in their yard which is where I saw them in April about 7 or 8 years ago. (It's an adobe style house visible from US95 - might be worth asking permission to look around there.)
Otherwise Mountain Quail has probably been more or less extirpated from other parts of their former range in Idaho except the following. There are occasional reports from the area near the confluence of the Salmon & Snake Rivers (which is pretty difficult to access) and some recent reintroduction efforts near here at Craig Mountain (which have been more or less unsuccessful due to high initial predation rates). There may also be some recent reports from deeper in Hells Canyon (Rita would know) but of course access is a problem there as well. There are also occasional reports from eastern Latah Co. Tantalizing but unconfirmed and California Quail occasionally show up in odd places away from human habitation. So all in all I'd say Rigins/Pollock area is about the only place that one would actually have a chance of looking for and seeing (or hearing) Mountain Quail.
BTW there is some debate as to whether Mountain Quail are actually native to Idaho or were introduced at some time in the past. I think most authorities consider it likely that they are native to parts of Idaho but there is enough doubt about WA (Blue Mountains) populations that the USFWS has cited this as one reason for not listing the interior populations (it's also not clear if the interior populations represent a distinct subspecies).
Here is a link to the USFWS decision - http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/03-1283.html
Here's a link to a fact sheet from USFWS Oregon office - http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/MountainQuail/default.asp
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
From: Charles Swift <chaetura@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: [IBLE] Mountain Quail RFI
To: ible@yahoogroups.com
Jay & all -
You might check w/ Rita Dixon at the IDFG conservation data center (or whatever it's called now) for recent sightings. Although there have not been any recent reports from birders from the Rapid River area (probably mostly because nobody looks very much) that population had been fairly stable and likely persists. Actually a bit upstream on either side of the Little Salmon R. near Pollock and the Pinehurst Resort is probably the better place to check. The Birder's Guide to Idaho (pp. 110-111) mentions a number of roads worth checking in this area - FR 624 and Denny Creek Rd. in particular (FR 624 also has White-headed Woodpeckers). A house on the west side of the Little Salmon R. near Pinehurst used to have a flock of M. Quail that wintered in their yard which is where I saw them in April about 7 or 8 years ago. (It's an adobe style house visible from US95 - might be worth asking permission to look around there.)
Otherwise Mountain Quail has probably been more or less extirpated from other parts of their former range in Idaho except the following. There are occasional reports from the area near the confluence of the Salmon & Snake Rivers (which is pretty difficult to access) and some recent reintroduction efforts near here at Craig Mountain (which have been more or less unsuccessful due to high initial predation rates). There may also be some recent reports from deeper in Hells Canyon (Rita would know) but of course access is a problem there as well. There are also occasional reports from eastern Latah Co. Tantalizing but unconfirmed and California Quail occasionally show up in odd places away from human habitation. So all in all I'd say Rigins/Pollock area is about the only place that one would actually have a chance of looking for and seeing (or hearing) Mountain Quail.
BTW there is some debate as to whether Mountain Quail are actually native to Idaho or were introduced at some time in the past. I think most authorities consider it likely that they are native to parts of Idaho but there is enough doubt about WA (Blue Mountains) populations that the USFWS has cited this as one reason for not listing the interior populations (it's also not clear if the interior populations represent a distinct subspecies).
Here is a link to the USFWS decision - http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/03-1283.html
Here's a link to a fact sheet from USFWS Oregon office - http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/MountainQuail/default.asp
Charles.
--
Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
On Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 8:50 PM, carlislejay <carlislejay@yahoo.com> wrote:
I'll admit up front that this e-mail is partly (mostly?) motivated purely by selfish reasoning (i.e., my birding pleasure) ... but I also continue to be concerned for the status of this species in the region (still common in coast ranges but apparently still nose-diving inland - including Idaho).
I'm wondering of anyone has searched for (successfully or not) Mountain Quail in the last year or two and if anyone has any suggestions for where a crazy birder might try to hear one singing at this time of year. Aside from reintroduction efforts in a couple places in the state, the last sightings I'd heard about (2 yrs ago) were in the Rapid River drainage ...
Thanks in advance and please feel free to reply to me only (so as not to clutter IBLE).
Cheers,
Jay
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Charles Swift
Moscow, ID
chaetura@gmail.com
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