South Idaho
November 20, 1998

This is the South Idaho Bird Alert, brought to you by the Idaho
Museum of Natural History. This alert was updated on Friday morning,
November 20th.
Highlights for this week include a LITTLE GULL, BUSHTITS, HARRIS'
and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and WHITE-WINGED and BLACK SCOTERS.
The last confirmed sighting on most of the above species was
Saturday, Nov. 14th. The BLACK SCOTER was observed Monday, Nov. 16th. If
you have any information regarding the above species please call the Bird
Alert at (208) 236-3337.
Your best bet for observing the LITTLE GULL (in juvenile plumage) is
at Eagle Rock between 11:00am and 3:15pm. The BUSHTITS and WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER were seen along the same road. To get there get off I-86 at the
Neeley Exit (just west of American Falls), go north only 10 meters, then
turn left (west) on Eagle Rock Rd. Head about a mile west to Pipeline
Recreational Area on your right. To observe the WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, turn
right here and travel down until it meets the river. A HARRIS' SPARROW was
observed in some bushes just before the road meets the river. Look for the
SCOTER and other waterfowl above or below the pipeline crossing the river.
To observe the BUSHTITS and the LITTLE GULL, pass Pipeline
Recreational area and continue for about another mile. The road comes to a
Y, take the right fork marked Eagle Rock Road. Continue for about another
mile, on your right, just off the road, will be a 4 foot tall stone
monument. Seventeen BUSHTITS were observed in the junipers 200 meters to
the right, last Saturday. They are foraging with BLACK-CAPPED and MOUNTAIN
CHICKADEEs. If you don't observe them here, walk both up and down river
examing draws and listening for chickadees. They were not observed on
Sunday, the 15th. It is possible they may have crossed the river.
To observe the LITTLE GULL, continue past the stone monument for
another 100-150 meters and turn right on a gravel road (it is marked Eagle
Rock) before the last farm house. Stay on the gravel road, in less than a
mile it becomes dirt, for about 1.5 miles, or until it begins to drop off.
Park your car and walk down to the river unless you have a high clearance
vehicle. The LITTLE GULL is still in juvenile plumage. It is very small,
has a dark back and a dark "M" pattern on top of its wings, a dark neck
collar, and a smudge of dark on its head. It is feeding alongside a flock
of 100-200 BONAPART'S GULLS that are roosting on American Falls Reservoir.
The best time to observe the LITTLE GULL is between 11:00 am and 3:15pm.
Both WHITE-THROATED SPARROWs and a HARRIS' SPARROW were seen at the trout
farm along the north side of the Snake River below the dam. To get there
cross the dam, take the first left, and then left again and follow the
Sportsman's Access signs to the trout farm.
The BLACK SCOTER was observed on the the southwest end of American
Falls Reservoir. Cross the Dam and continue north on Hwy. 39 for 2 to 2.5
miles. The highway passes over an obvious slough. Continue past the slough
for 200 meters or so and turn right on the first dirt road. After a few
meters the road forks, sty right and follow around the borrow pit to the
cliff. The road is a bit sandy. The scoter was observed below the cliff
along the west end.
Deborah K. Beutler
Department of Zoology
Washington State University
Pullman, WA

dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu