Retired computer scientist in school to become a biologist - Focus ecology, birds, and mammals.
- http://wolf21m.blogspot.com/Website
- Boise, ID (United States) Location
Recent Updates and Sightings
Season record was 34 broadwings back in 1998. We had 31 today plus at least 20 more over the past week.
On hawk watch today I saw a single kettle of 21 Broad-winged Hawks! That's more than was seen all last season. Very rare in the west.
Hawkwatch had strong flight of N. Harriers (they like the wind), Redtailed Hawks, and Cooper's Hawks. We trapped one Merlin! Photos later.
Very slow songbirds banding day at IBO Monday. 29 birds. My research predicted it would be higher than 37. Statistics aren't perfect.
Captured Song Sparrow that was first banded at IBO in 2006 and a Spotted Towhee banded last year.Cool stuff. Tomorrow-Songbirds & hawkwatch.
Today at IBO we only had 35 birds. This is consistent with my research finding for the day before a cold front=low numbers.
On Thursday(without me) IBO banded 168 birds in 5 hours including 108 Western Tanagers! Unbelievable.
Completed my 1st official day of hawkwatch. Among non-migrants watched 1 SSHA and 2 AMKE in aerial fighting for over 30 minutes. Cool stuff.
IBO Hawkwatch: 66 migrating raptors - 29 SS, 9 CH, 6 RT, 3 SW, 2 NH, 11 AK, 1 GE, and 5 Unidentified.
@mfulton Is there a hawkwatch or banding station nearby that you can visit. It's a great way to learn for you and them.
Spent the day yesterday banding and photographing raptors. It was a great experience! Story with photos - http://bit.ly/YZWSf
Banded my first raptors yesterday - 3 juv American Kestrels and 1 juv Sharp-shinned Hawk. Also held my first Red-tailed Hawk. Photos soon.