I've been enjoying the kestrel stories. I thought I'd offer this account of
the other bird of the week. We were hiking the Yellow Aster Butte Trail when
we saw an American Pipet foraging near a snow bank .It was gathering
insects, both winged and non-winged. To us it appeared to place a partial
bill full of insects on the snow. It continued to forage in the
Partridgefoot and heather within a few feet of the snow before returning
and gathering up a full load of insects. It flew away, presumably to feed
it's young. I know pipets and Horned Larks feed on insects found on snow
but this one appeared to be using the bank as a temporary cache. We waited
and waited but the bird didn't reappear and the sun was beating down on us
(no shade!) so we left. Is temporary caching something pipets are noted for?
Had this bird discovered refrigeration?
Curious.......
Steve Ellis
sellis at coup.wednet.edu