South Idaho
August 24, 1998

This is the South Idaho Bird Alert for Monday, August 24th, brought
to you by the Idaho Museum of Natural History. To report a sighting call
(208) 236-3337.
Highlights for this week include several shorebird concentrations in
the area, and a LEAST FLYCATCHER at Camas NWR. Many landbirds are migrating
at Lucky Peak, just north of Boise.
Eleven species of shorebirds were seen Saturday, the 22nd around
American Falls Reservoir. These included SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, several
GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, as well as SOLITARY, BAIRD'S, LEAST and
WESTERN SANDPIPERS. These birds are concentrated at several locations on
the reservoir. A good place to look is at the northeastern end, in from
Springfield, which is at about B-6 on page 29 of the Idaho DeLorme Atlas.
About two miles west of Springfield on Idaho 39 take Sterling North Road to
the south, and just before crossing the railroad tracks take a left on Bower
Road. In about a quarter mile you will come to some bluffs overlooking
mudflats, where a SANDERLING was seen Friday, Stay on Bower Road to Vambaur
Road, take a right, then another right in about a mile and go to the parking
area near the waterfalls of Danielson Creek. Several shorebirds were seen
here Saturday, as well as a female HOODED MERGANSER.
Another good place to look is near the dam at American Falls. To
get there take Marina Drive off the Bypass on the wast side of town and turn
left onto Pacific Drive immediately after crossing the railroad tracks.
Follow Pacific Road past the drying pond, then turn left and drive to where
the road goes into some willows. Park there and walk about a quarter mile
along the road to the mud flats near the dam. Several SOLITARY and BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS were seen here, as well as two GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES on Friday.
A LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen and heard near the refuge Headquarters
of Camas NWR, about 30 miles of north of Idaho Falls. Get off I-15 at the
Hamer exit, then follow the signs about 5 miles out to the refuge. The
flycatcher was about a quarter mile west of the headquarters buildings,
calling from a willow tree on the right. Last week an AMERICAN REDSTART was
seen here, and other rare fall migrants should be looked for.
Many warblers (including NASHVILLE and TOWNSEND'S) and sparrows
(CHIPPING and BREWER'S) are migrating at Lucky Peak just above Boise. An
average of 50 birds of 14 species are being captured and banded daily by
members of the Idaho Bird Observatory. You can find out how to get there and
help with the banding by calling Greg Kaltenecker at (208) 377-1440.
Deborah K. Beutler
Department of Zoology
Washington State University
Pullman, WA

dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu