Subject: Fwd: South Idaho Bird Alert 8/3/98
Date: Aug 10 15:28:35 1998
From: Deb Beutler - dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu


South Idaho Bird Alert
August 3, 1998

Highlights for this week include a pair of BLUE GROSBEAKS west of
the town of Weston. Many shorebirds are moving through the area. And both
Aberdeen's Big Hole and Market Lake should be watched. CATTLE EGRETS are
along Yuma Road west of Sterling. Finally, BUSHTITS can be seen at City of
Rocks.
A pair of BLUE GROSBEAKS were seen a week ago Saturday about six
miles west of Weston, which is southwest of Preston. To find them, drive
into the canyon on Route 36 and stop when you first reach the cliffs on the
right. This is near C-2 on pg 22 of the Idaho Atlas. The Grosbeaks were in
the riparian vegetation to the south of the road. Several PLUMBEOUS VIREOS
were singing in the area also. The pair of Grosbeaks west of Pocatello have
not been seen for over two weeks.
Shorebirds are being seen wherever mudflats are exposed on American
Falls Reservoir. Eleven species were seem Sunday, including over 50
WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 2 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS
on the mud flats near Aberdeen's Sportsman's Park. To get there follow the
Sportsman's Access signs east for about 4 miles out of Aberdeen, then turn
right and head out toward the beacon on the edge of the reservoir. This is
near C-5 on pg 29 of the Idaho Atlas. Be careful not to drive too far out,
as the mud is almost bottomless.
The second pond from the north end of Market Lake WMA is being
drained and should be watched for shorebirds. This is near B-2 on page 40
of the Idaho Atlas. To get there take the Roberts exit off of I-15 about 15
miles north of Idaho Falls. Turn right to the stop sign. Then drive north
out of town. Follow the right branch just north of Roberts, and then drive
about 3 miles out to the marsh. You can park along the dike between ponds 3
and 4, then walk along the inner dike and look at birds in the shallows of
Pond 3.
Several groups of CATTLE EGRETS are with cattle along Yuma Road.
which is about a mile west of Sterling along the north side of American
Falls Reservoir. This is at about B-5 on page 29 of the Idaho Atlas.
Finally, a flock of BUSHTITS has been found at City of Rocks National
Reserve, which is at about C-2 on page 20 of the Idaho Atlas. To find them
look in the aspens in the valley behind campsites 46-49.
Deborah K. Beutler
Department of Zoology
Washington State University
Pullman, WA

dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu