I am forwarding the South Idaho Bird Alert for some one who is not
subscribed to the list.
Cheers
Deb

South Idaho Bird Alert
January 4, 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, January 4th.
Highlights for this week include two sightings of FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, HOODED
MERGANSERS below American Falls Dam, and a HARRIS' SPARROWS south of Soda
Springs. An escaped RED-CRESTED POCHARD was seen near Hagerman and a GREAT
GRAY OWL was spotted near Tetonia.
FERRUGINOUS HAWKS were spotted at two locations this past week. One was
a juvenile just north of I-86 about three miles east of American Falls. It
was harrasing a young RED-TAILED HAWK along a west facing bench. The other
was spotted from the River Road in the McTucker Springs area, north of the
Snake River, near where it enters American Falls Reservoir.
A male and several female HOODED MERGANSERS have been frequenting the
north shore of the Snake River just below American Falls Dam. There are also
both BARROW'S and COMMON GOLDENYES, as well as DOUBLE-CRESTED COMORANTS
feeding in the Snake River. You can get there by taking Falls Avenue north
at the Circle-K opn the west side of town, and following the Sportsman's
Access signs to the boat launch area.
A HARRIS' SPARROWs has been seen regularly 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.
A male RED-CRESTED POCHARD was spotted this weekend on the large pond at
the Idaho Fish and Game fish hatchery south of Hagerman. This bird was
present last winter and is thought to be an escapee from the Twin Falls
Cemetary pond. This is near C-3 on page 26 of the Idaho DeLorme Atlas.
Finally, one GREAT GRAY OWL was spotted on Sunday at dusk in the
cottonwoods near Tetonia, which is on US 33 between Rexburg and Driggs. You
can call Mike DeLate at (208) 456-2231 for the latest information on their
sightings.
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.



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

dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu