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Birders enjoy successful 117th Audubon bird
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December 9, 2017 |
By Kathy Konek
Photos by Mary Rumple
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Pygmy Owl |
On Wednesday, December 28, 12 birders (bird
watchers) from as far away as Boise wandered a 7
½ mile radius from downtown Bonners Ferry to
join in the 117th Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
Their goal was to count as many birds they could
see or hear within the given area.
This year they received additional help from
four individuals who counted the birds at their
home bird feeders or reported additional
sightings in their yard.
Starting at the break of dawn and going until
just before sunset, the birders covered 286
miles looking and listening. They searched not
just bird feeders and bushes, but also tree tops
and open water areas. Their efforts located
4,032 birds representing 62 species.
The most counted birds were mallard ducks at the
Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, followed by the common
raven. The birders did find the count of
dark-eyed juncos had increased this year, with
the group locating 383 more than last year.
However, the lonely blue jay, pileated
woodpecker, and northern pintail were not passed
up.
The northern goshawk is not a rare bird for this
area, but is a rare sight. One group was lucky
enough to capture a glimpse of one as it sat in
a tree spanning the field for a snack.
Surprisingly, a flock of 25 western meadowlark
are wintering at the refuge. Also spotted was a
red-breasted nuthatch trying to get a pygmy owl
to move out of its territory.
Its method was not working.
Even though the day was sunny, the wind and cold
kept the birds in hiding. Yet every bird counted
helps the scientists, who use the data
collected, track the birds change in winter
range.
Thank you to everyone who participated. We look
forward to more folks joining the group next
year. Email
bfbirdcount@gmail.com if you would like to
be added to the list and notified when the next
count happens.
Until then, please keep your feeders filled to
help our feathered friends through the winter
snows. |
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Hairy Woodpecker |
Dark-Eyed Junco |
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| Red
Breasted Nuthatch |
Northern Goshawk |
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| Great
Blue Heron |
Varied Thrush |
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