Friday, April 20, 2007

Camas NWR spring update (Harris's Sparrow)

Hi Folks

We started our spring migration study on Monday, April 16 and we will go until June 15. As expected (based on info from local birders and our experience last year), it's been quite slow so far but highlights have included a singing Winter Wren (yesterday) and Lincoln's Sparrows have been present since day 1 whereas we didn't see any until April 23 last year. Migrants so far mostly include RC Kinglets, DE Juncos, and WC Sparrows and we banded our first Hermit Thrush yesterday. Diversity should pick up over the next couple weeks and May 10 thru June 5 should be great!

This morning, while conducting a standardized point count survey, I heard and then saw a singing Harris's Sparrow at the very N end of the 'Dogleg' (N of headquarters) at Camas NWR. It was perched up in a group of shrubs across the creek from the last trees in this stretch. Only my 2nd for the state & the first I've seen here since I began working out here.

Today Bob Davis (a local Idaho Falls birder) saw a Marbled Godwit among other shorebirds along the refuge loop ....

Happy birding!

Jay

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