Here is the most recent South Idaho Bird Alert from BIRDWEST. I am
forwarding this for the transcriber, Diane Gettinger, who is not subscribed
to OBOL or Tweeters. The compiler is Charles Trost, professor at Idaho
State University.


South Idaho Bird Alert
December 28, 1998

This is the South Idaho Bird Alert, brought to you by the Idaho Museum
of Natural History. This alert was updated on Monday morning, December 28th.
Highlights for this week include SNOW BUNTINGS near Aberdeen, two HARRIS'
SPARROWS, several flocks of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in the area, and a ROCK WREN
behind the Pocatello cemetery.
A mixed flock of HORNED LARKS and SNOW BUNTINGS were observed Saturday
at the intersection of Boat Dock and Midway Roads, about 2 miles east of
Aberdeen, on the north side of American Falls Reservoir. These flocks are
quite nomadic, so you may have to drive around the area to find the SNOW
BUNTINGS. Be sure to examine large flocks of larks for LAPLAND LONGSPURS.
One was spotted in a flock of larks west of Pocatello last week.
Two separate HARRIS' SPARROWs have been seen recently. One was been
present for over a week by a hay bail along the connecting road between the
Simplot factory and Siphon Rd., about 4 miles NW of Pocatello. There are
several horses in a pasture about a quarter mile east of Siphon Road, and
the hay bail is just on the east side of the road. The second HARRIS'
SPARROW was near Baily Creek, about 5 miles south of Soda Springs. It is
coming to a feeder at Dan Newman's house, at 89 Baily Creek Road. His phone
is (208)-547-4823, and it might be a good idea to call before visiting. To
get there turn south off US 30 at the stop light on the east side of Soda
Springs, and drive about five miles south. Go past the Club House, and take
the left fork. Dan's house is the first house on the left, and his dog's
name is Shasta.
Several small flocks of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS have been spotted in flocks of
CEDAR WAXWINGS in the area. Several were seen Saturday in Russian olives SW
of Sterling, on the north side of American Falls Reservoir. Others were
spotted eating hawthorn berries along the south side of the Portneuf River
in the gap, about 5 miles east of Pocatello.
A wintering ROCK WREN was heard calling from the Red Hill, which is just
behind the Pocatello Cemetery, off 5th Ave, just south of the ISU campus.
Finally, there are many BALD EAGLES in the area. At least 65 were
counted on the ice at the upper end of American Falls Reservoir this past
Saturday. You can view them also in the cemetery below the dam at American
Falls.
For further information, to report a bird sighting, or to reach Chuck
Trost, you can call 208-236-3337 and leave a message at the sound of the
beep. Or you can call Chuck at home at 208-233-4538.
HAVE A BIRD FILLED HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


Deb Beutler
Dept. of Zoology
Washington State University
Pullman, Whitman Co., WA

dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu