Lifers and other sightings 04-26-2011

This last week I got a call from Darren Clark and was told about a little bird that had lost its way, a Yellow-throated Warbler. The Yellow-throated Warbler is most commonly found in the Easter United States and migrates into Mexico. Somehow one of these birds made its way to Idaho and it was recorded as the fourth one in Idaho. I went up to the Ashton, ID fish hatchery where it was first seen and was given some direction as to where it had been seen. After waiting and looking for not to long I first heard it then found it, it came out close and jumped around for awhile then disappeared for a few minutes and soon came back. In total I watched it for about 45 min before I had to go. I came back again the next day 4-24-2011 and found and watched it for another 20 min before I went and talked with the new manager of the hatchery while our families hung out together. The yellow throat is a pretty distinguishing mark on this bird you will also notice the black and white stripes in its wing.

Yellow-throated Warbler, 4-23-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Yellow-throated Warbler, 4-23-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Yellow-throated Warbler, 4-23-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Yellow-throated Warbler, 4-23-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Yellow-throated Warbler, 4-23-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Don’t mistake this next one for the Yellow-throated Warbler, when I first saw this bird buzzing around I saw the yellow and thought I was looking at the warbling.  I was told that this is actually a pretty common bird in the area also a warbler, a Yellow-rumped Warbler a lifer.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, 4-23-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

This night heron hung out in the tree while we were searching for the Yellow-throated Warbler another lifer.

Night Heron, 4-23-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

While I was visiting the Fish Hatchery I saw a few other birds not all I got picture of. Some of them were lifers and other I had seen before, including Evening Grosbeak, Crossbill, Cassin’s Finch, Goldfinch, Junco, Mallards, Cinnamon Teal, and others.

Dark-eyes Junco, 4-24-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Both days that I was at the fish hatchery I saw a Muskrat, the manager latter told me that there is 5 or 6 of them around as well as a beaver, otter sign and he was told that there has been mink in the area.

Muskrat, 4-24-2011, Ashton Fish Hatchery, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

After I visited the hatchery I went on a nice hike through the Cartier Slough, there was not a lot around compared to past visits probably due to the shotguns going off. I still saw a good variety of birds though at one time I thought I saw some sort of Ibis. After walking a half mile I came across a couple of Willets hanging out with a Wilson’s Snipe.

Wilson’s Snipe, 4-23-2011, Cartier Slough, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Willet, 4-23-2011, Cartier Slough, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Willet, 4-23-2011, Cartier Slough, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

These two American Kestrels below I had a lot of chances to take pictures of. Every time they would fly away they would always come and land at the same place. I think that they probably had a nest in the area, at one time I startled a Red-tailed Hawk from its nest and the two Kestrels started dive bombing it trying to drive it away.

American Kestrel, Cartier Slough, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

American Kestrel, 4-23-2011, Cartier Slough, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

This is the Red-tailed Hawk that sat calmly in the tree as two upset Kestrels tried to drive it off.

Red-tailed Hawk, 4-23-2011, Cartier Slough, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.

Sunday Morning I also found a couple hoping around in my year also a lifer.

White-crowned Sparrows , 4-24-2011, Rexburg, ID. Canon 60D, 500mm.