Subject: Birding Trip
Date: Feb 15 22:36:22 1997
From: "Dan Stephens" - dstephen at ctc.ctc.edu




Tweeters,

Gary Kuiper and I just returned from a 1310 mile birding trip, primarily for
the
Siberian Accentor. We observed 71 species in 4 days (12-15 Feb). The roads
were
great, the weather unseasonably warm, and the birds as enlightening as ever.
Hits: Northern Hawk Owl, Siberian Accentor, Gyrfalcon. Misses: Black Rosy
Finch, Tufted Duck, Great-tailed Grackle.

Cheney: Observed N. Hawk Owl at 4:45 PM on Wed. at the top of a pine tree
about
10 m SW of the gray, round dorm at the corner of Elm and Washington Streets.
Very tame, allowed close approach for photos. At 5:15 it flew to the top of
a
bank of lights at the football statium. Hill City to Fairfield Idaho: Flocks
of
Snow Buntings 5, 2, 20 about 3:00 PM on Thur. Hailey Idaho (4 mi. north):
Waited for about an hour when a flock of about 12 Juncos arrived with the
Siberian Accentor, observed Accentor for only about 30 seconds in the brush
and
at a feeder at the large brown house. Returned at 8:00 AM on Fri and
observed
the Accentor from about 8:15 to 8:30 at the log house and the large brown
house.
Seen very well, great light, photos taken, again with Juncos. Goldfinches
and Pine Siskins also present on Friday morning and not Thur. afternoon. More
on
the Accentor later. We observed a russet and a red Pine Grosbeak with many
Bohemian Waxwings in Ketchum, looked for Rosy Finches at Triumph (not seen).
We next observed the adult gray phase Gyrfalcon about 1/2 mile east of
Gannett,
it allowed close approach for photos, did not fly. A female Prairie Falcon
was
seen on Hwy 20 near Gannett and a male Prairie seen a 1/2 mile north of
Shoshone, with a very red rufous-phase Red-tailed Hawk at the same time.
Hagerman Fish Hatchery: 36 species seen, no Tuffed Duck, only about 35 total
Ring-necked Ducks. Other interesting observations at Hagerman included over
40 Wood Ducks, over 40 Black-crowned Night-Herons, Northern Shoveler breeding
behavior (pairs spinning), over 60 Ruddy Ducks in various stages of molt, and
a Thayer's Gull (uncommon in Idaho). Marsing Park: great looks at a male,
winter plumage Oldsquaw (also uncommon in Idaho) in the pool between the park
and town, no Grackles seen. Stay tuned for more on the Siberian Accentor.
Cheers,
Dan

Dan Stephens (509) 664-2503
Dept. of Biology fax: (509) 664-2538
Wenatchee Valley College e-mail: dstephen at ctc.edu
1300 Fifth Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801


Dan Stephens (509) 664-2503
Dept. of Biology fax: (509) 664-2538
Wenatchee Valley College e-mail: dstephen at ctc.edu
1300 Fifth Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801