Viewing Dippers

A very interesting bird found near fast moving streams is the American Dipper. Just like the two named constellations in the sky, the Dipper is easy to recognize. I saw my first one last year in a stream outside Capital Reef National Park. This September, while hiking with family along the Crooked River Trail in the Boise National Forest, North of Idaho City, we saw several. They are a relatively plain looking gray bird, but what they lack in color, they make up for in personality. 

American Dipper preparing to enter the water

Just after we began our hike, we heard a loud melodious song and was wondering what it was. As much as we searched, we could not see a bird, even though it kept singing. The Merlin app identified it as an American Dipper. According to the Cornell Lab's All About Birds website, their loud bouts of singing can last up to ten minutes. We kept walking and continued to keep our eyes peeled as a couple we passed coming in the opposite direction said that they had seen several on their walk. It wasn't long before we heard them chirping and then saw several, either flying over the water, or hopping between rocks and logs. We watched in amazement as they continuously entered the freezing cold water in search of food.

Dipper submerged in the water

Their diet consists mainly of aquatic insects which they will catch underwater, along the surface, or will pick off from rocks and tree limbs. They are very adept at clinging to wet rocks and branches and won't lose their balance. It is interesting to observe them as they dive or walk straight into the current. If you are close enough and the water is clear, you can seem them walk along the riverbed with their wings open as they search for food. They can stay submerged for up to 15 seconds, closing a nasal flap to prevent water inhalation.

 

American Dipper exiting the water

Dippers nest along river banks, under trees or in crevices of rock walls. Some nests may be in locations where they are continuously being sprayed by water, but this is not always the case. An informative paper written by Henry Hann in 1950 about Dippers that were observed in 1947 and 1948 in Colorado can be found online here: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/condor/v052n02/p0049-p0062.pdf. One interesting observation Hann made was that shortly after the young leave the nest, the adult will removing its lining. The reason for this is unknown, but one theory is that it may better preserve the nest structure for reuse in subsequent seasons.  

This is one bird which you could literally sit and watch for hours and it was the perfect bird to see on the last day of my sister and brother-in-law's visit from Michigan, as they will not be found east of the Rockies. I am happy that they are common in Idaho, and although they are typically found in the mountains they can be seen at lower elevations, particularly in the winter, including the Boise area.   

Resources:

The Condor, Volume 52 no. 2, March-April 1950

National Wildlife Federation/Educ-Guide/Birds/American-Dipper 

The Cornell Lab-All About Birds 

 Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Camas Prairie and Centennial Marsh

Entrance to Centennial Marsh with Camas flowers in the background.

A week ago we drove about 100 miles southeast of Boise for a day of birding and exploring  around the Camas Prairie - Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This  is a unique and valuable landscape, sitting at approximately 5000 feet. It is high prairie, seasonally flooded wetland which serves multiple ecological functions with the primary purpose to provide wetland and upland habitat for migratory and resident wildlife. It is managed by Idaho Fish and Game. We thought that we might have been too late to see the Camas lilies in bloom, but were pleased to see patches of them still blooming in the fields around the marsh.

Old school house and cliff swallows

 

We entered the area from Schoolhouse Road off Highway 20. A little ways down the road was an old schoolhouse. Upon closer inspection, we could see that it was occupied, not by students, but by hundreds of Cliff swallows. Standing outside, it was reminiscent of a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds. Although harmless, they did not seem to happy with our presence, so we decided to move along quickly and let them be.

I had heard about the Phalaropes that migrate to this area, so I was thrilled to see Wilson Phalaropes, swimming amongst the reeds, in a ditch just along the side of the road.

Wilson's Phalarope

Atypical of most birds, the female Phalarope is more colorful than the male. She takes the lead in courtship and will often mate with more than one male in a season. It is the male who will incubate the eggs and raise the young. In late summer, Wilson's Phalaropes will migrate to South America, gathering in large flocks in salty lakes along the way. 

We saw lots of Brewer's blackbirds, including several that were gathering nesting materials, as in the photo below.

Brewer's blackbird

The male Brewer's blackbird is easy to recognize, with its shiny iridescent colors and bright yellow eyes. The female, on the other hand, is brown and does not have yellow eyes. The colors and yellow eyes are similar to the Common Grackle, which is a larger bird and has a stockier bill.  Their ranges have begun to overlap in the last century as Brewer's have moved east into the Great Lakes Region and Grackles are now increasing in the west.

We saw many Horned Larks, a first for me. I did not know what they were at first, as I did not see any "horns," which are actually two tufts of hair that will stick up on the top of its head. It is certainly a unique looking bird, especially the male which has a black mask and yellow throat.   We saw them on fence posts and on the ground, where they forage for food.  

Horned lark

Another common prairie-loving bird is the Meadowlark. They are prevalent in open grasslands, including agricultural areas. Oftentimes I will hear them close-by, but never see them. This day they sang out in the open. When in flight, they are easy to identify with their white outer tail feathers being quite visible. Although they are widespread and not uncommon, their population has shown declines in recent decades. This decline may continue as increasing development puts pressure on their habitats. They nest on the ground, and will abandon their eggs if they are disturbed by human interference such as mowing.  

Western Meadowlark

If you have never seen a Sandhill Crane, you will definitely be impressed by their size. They are about the size of a Great Blue Heron, around four feet tall, but seem larger as they walk upright with their necks erect. They are one of the historically oldest bird species. A fossil discovered in Florida was dated at around two and a half million years. Sandhill Cranes start breeding between the ages of two and seven years and will mate for life. They only lay one to three eggs a season and will rear their young for almost a year.

Sandhill Cranes amongst Camas lilies

I am not very good at identifying sparrows, but Vesper sparrows have a couple unique characteristics which makes them easier to identify. In the photo below you can see a very visible white eye-ring and a small rust patch on its shoulder. 

Vesper sparrow

Yellow-headed blackbirds are a cool looking bird, if not a little creepy. They have a large yellow head and breast which makes their black eyes stand out. Their sound is a large honk which you can checkout here.  They breed around marshes in similar habitat as red-winged blackbirds. When they are not nesting, they hang out with other blackbirds in open fields. We saw them in both the fields and the marshlands. 

Yellow-headed and Brewer's blackbirds

By entering the WMA from the west, we ended our visit at Centennial Marsh.  Here, there are picnic tables and an outhouse. There are also paths that lead to the edge of the water. On the pond we saw Gadwalls, Cinnamon Teals, Rudy ducks, Canada geese, American Coots and Eared Grebes.

Centennial Marsh

After stopping for a late lunch in Fairfield, we headed back west on highway 20 toward Mountain Home. But, instead of taking this road directly to I-84, we turned right at the Toll Gate historical marker, and took Immigrant Road which is part of the Oregon Trail Back Country Byway.

Oregon Trail Byway

It was passable, but may prove difficult in early spring, or following a rain storm. Along the way, we saw more Horned Larks, Sandhill Cranes and a couple Long-billed Curlews. The later are an amazing bird to observe with its disproportionately long bill. It breeds in western grasslands and winters along the coast. In 2009, Boise State's Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) began a long-term study of Long-billed Curlew breeding populations to better understand the reasons for their decline. This led to the 2020 publication of an article https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344355529_Illegal_killing_of_nongame_wildlife_and_recreational_shooting_in_conservation_areas which documented the poorly studied problem of illegal killing of non-game wildlife in conservation areas of Idaho. Please visit the link above to learn more about this study and click here to follow the ongoing IBO research on Long-billed Curlews.

Long-billed curlew

I hoped that this blog has piqued your interest to visit Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh, and if you do come, pack some snacks or a lunch and plan on spending several hours in order to fully appreciate both the grassland and wetland habitats.

Spring Raptors in Southwest Idaho

The high desert region of Southwest Idaho is home to a variety of small mammals and amphibians, which means that food is plentiful for raptors. Here are some that I have seen so far this spring.

Kestrel with mouse.

The American kestrel, also known as a sparrow hawk, has always been one of my favorite birds.  They are easy to spot, as they like to perch high up in a tree or on telephone poles and wires. They are small, only about 12 inches in length, about the same size as a Flicker or Mourning dove. From a distance, I sometimes misidentify these birds them as they like to hang out in the same places. Up close, the distinctive markings and colors of a male kestrel are magnificent. The female has similar markings, but is a duller brown. Kestrels are of the family Falconidae, commonly known as falcons.  Falcons have pointed wings and can move very fast in flight. They eat insects as well as small birds and mammals. 

Prairie Falcon

 

 

Another member of the Falconidae family is the Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus.) They are native only to North America and can be found in the western United States, Canada and Mexico. I saw my first one at Dedication Point in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. It is claimed that over 200 Prairie Falcons nest within this unique geographic area in Idaho.

Cooper's Hawk

Cooper's hawks are handsome birds found throughout the United States. with their sleek silver back, they look regal perched in a tree. They measure from 14 to 20 inches with the males being smaller, as is typical with hawks. Cooper's look very similar to the Sharp-shinned hawk, which are slightly smaller, from 9 to 15 inches in length. They are easier to identify in flight, with the wing beats of the Sharp-shinned being much quicker than the Cooper's shorter, more deliberate movements. Both birds have adapted to suburban environments and will take advantage of easy prey found around bird feeders. I recommend bringing feeders inside if you see these birds hanging around your yard.

Red-tailed Hawk  

 

Perhaps the most common hawk around here is the Red-tailed. It is very easy to recognize in flight with its distinctive and clearly visible red tail. They are commonly seen perched on utility poles along highways. They are large birds, measuring over two feet in length and wing spans over four feet.  Their loud screeching call is also unmistakable. 

Merlin

Merlins are another small falcon. They are similar in size to Kestrels, but do not have the colorful and distinctive facial markings. They feed primarily on small birds, but will also catch large insects and small mammals or reptiles. Historically, they were called "pigeon hawks," not because they eat pigeons, but because they resemble a pigeon when flying. 

Turkey Vulture

Turkey vultures have an acute sense of smell, which is why they know when something has died. Vultures serve a useful purpose in nature, as carrion feeders help cleanup the environment through their consumption of dead and rotting animals. They may not be considered an attractive bird, but they are very distinctive looking and are easy to identify with their bald red head. The featherless head helps keep the bird clean when it is consuming a carcass, since it will often stick its head into a soft opening of a dead animal to access the meat, which can be a messy endeavor.

Osprey in flight.

Unlike vultures, Ospreys are beautiful birds and are amazing to watch as they soar around open waters in search of fish which account for ninety-nine percent of their diet.  They will hoover over shallow water and when they spot a fish, will descend quickly, sometimes submerging themselves in the water, and grab the fish with  its talons. They will position the fish face forward, for better aerodynamics, before flying away.  Sometimes, after a great deal of effort to capture its prey, a bald eagle will intercept the osprey, forcing it to drop its fish and thus, providing the eagle with an easy meal. 

Great Horned Owl

A post about birds of prey in Idaho would not be complete without a picture of at least one owl. It took me several months, but I finally saw my first Great Horned Owl, with the assistance of a few experienced birders who knew where to look.  Since they camouflage themselves so well, I probably would have walked right past this one without noticing him sleeping on a tree branch. In spite of the increasing population of the Boise metropolitan area, the Great Horned owls seem to have adapted quite well being around so many people, which is probably due to the fact that they can still find plenty of food, which unfortunately can include cats and small dogs.  

I am still waiting to capture a photo of an eagle in Idaho, but when I do, I will certainly share it on this blog. .

Early Spring at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve

 

Geese flying over Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve, Boise

On the West Bench the City of Boise has created a small haven for birds, especially during migration. A combination stormwater treatment facility and environmental education center, the 53-acre site provides public access for people of all ages and abilities. The wetlands reserve was created through a private land donation from the Hyatt family and federal and local funding. In addition to being an oasis for birds and other wildlife, the site is providing important information pertaining to capturing and filtering stormwater to improve water quality.

This time of year, the birds are abundant. The first sound you will most likely hear as you enter the reserve from the parking lot is that of Red-winged blackbirds.

Male Red-winged blackbird calling and displaying his colorful wings

Female Red-winged blackbirds look very different and more easily blend into their surroundings

There were numerous American Coots. Coots are present year-round in Idaho. It is not classified as a duck as it does not have webbed feet, those that are more like a chicken's, but lobed. To take off, it needs space to scrambles atop of the water while flapping its wings. 

American Coot with noticeable red patch on its forehead

Many of the ducks were paired with their mates. Most males will stay with the female until the eggs are laid and will leave the incubation and rearing to the female.

Male and female Mallard

After the Mallard ducklings hatch, they will be ready to swim within a few hours. The mother and young will remain as a family until the young can fend for themselves in 50 to 60 days. The males will typically select a new mate in the fall.

Similar to many ducks, Gadwalls pair up in the fall and leave the female to rear the brood in the spring.

Female Gadwall

The mottled coloring of the female Gadwall resembles a female Mallard, while the male's coloring is more smooth. They are both attractive birds.

Male Gadwall

The Northern Shoveler is named for its large bill which resembles a shovel and is used to scoop and filter food before consumption. They are large, beautiful ducks and were plentiful in the pond. They form pairs in the fall/winter and during spring migration. They often will stay with their mate through incubation. According to the Cornell Lab's breeding map, they migrate through most of Idaho, settling slightly further north and east, although some may stay year round in the southwest corner of the state.

This Northern Shoveler pair appeared to be dancing together.

The photo below shows what I believe is a Lesser Scaup pair, although my skills are not yet adept enough to distinguish the difference between Lesser and Greater Scaups. The greater scaup is slightly larger and is supposed to have a more rounded head, but I would need to see two together to decipher the differences. Unlike the ducks described above, which are dabbling ducks, Scaups are diving ducks, meaning they dive underwater to search for food. Lesser Scaups are the most abundant diving duck in North America and migrate as far south as Central America. They may stay here in Idaho to breed. In the fall they will migrate to the west coast or continue further south.

Male and female Scaup

There were at least three Great Blue herons the day I was there and I was fortunate to witness one hunting and catching a fish.

Great Blue heron after capturing its dinner

In addition to the water birds, The Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve supports upland species of birds and mammals.  It is an amazing place, within a relative urban area, for people to go and appreciate nature.

Mushroom Stroganoff

 

Mushroom Stroganoff

When all you want is a simple meal that is warm and comforting.

Ingredients:

1 pound pasta of choice. 

3 Tablespoons butter

1/2 cup diced onion

3 cloves garlic minced

1 pound mushrooms of choice ( I used baby bella and shiitake)

1/2 cup white wine 

 1/4 teaspoon thyme and 1/2 teaspoon parsley

1 1/2 cup vegetable broth 

Fresh spinach or kale

3 Tablespoons flour

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Melt 1 T butter and saute onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add 2 T butter and when melted, add garlic and mushrooms, stir and cook until mushrooms are done. Add white wine. Stir and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Stir in spices and a handful or more of chopped spinach or kale.

In a bowl, whisk together broth and flour, then gradually add to mushroom mixture. Cook over low heat. Once the mixture begins to thicken, stir in yogurt. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over cooked pasta.

 

Not Quite Spring

Life has been busy, but I am surprised that it has been four months since my last post! Even though it is still February, I am starting to see signs of spring. This past Saturday the temperatures climbed into the sixties, so my husband and I took the opportunity to walk along the Boise River on the Garden City Greenbelt Riverside Pedestrian Path. Although there were other walkers and runners, it was relatively quite and and wildlife were abundant.

Canada Geese Reflections

I'm not a fan of Canada Geese, but when there are only two they are actually quite handsome. 

Barrows Goldeneye

The walking path cuts between the river and a side canal. Most of the water birds that we saw, were on the canal, like the Barrow's goldeneye (above) and the American Wigeon (below.) I was surprised to find out that my Life List did not include an American Wigeon, so I was excited to add this duck sighting.

American Wigeon

This flicker and its mate were seen flying in and out of the hole in this dead tree. This could be a new cavity, or they might be using one made by a different bird last year. 

Flicker nesting cavity

From a distance, I saw a large bird in a tree and thought that it was an owl.  Since I have yet to see an owl since moving to Idaho, I was disappointed that it turned out to be a Great Blue Heron. My attitude changed as we stood marveling at what a cool looking bird a heron is, whether it be in the water or on a branch in a tree.

Great Blue heron

 We ended our nature walk with a sighting of a muskrat enjoying a swim in the cool water.

Muskrat

Although the temperatures are back to below freezing, I take comfort in knowing that March is just a few days away, which means that soon, these warmer days will be here to stay.