Welcome Migrants

Birdwatching

The trickle of birds flying into the Inland Northwest for the nesting season has given way to a flood.

North Idaho is host to male mountain bluebirds, with their bright blue backs and pale blue fronts, as well as the Western bluebirds, which are less brightly colored with rust on their breasts.

“The bluebird’s bill is not suited for creating nest cavities,” notes Phil Cooper of the Idaho Fish and Game Department, “so they make their nests in existing cavities excavated by woodpeckers and other animals.”

Since potential nesting trees have been cut for firewood or development, volunteers have built more than 250 bluebird nest boxes which are available at the department’s regional office in Coeur d’Alene for a donation of $3.

The department also has plans for people who’d like to build their own nest boxes.

Hot birding spots this week include Freezeout Lake Wildlife Area near Great Falls, Mont., where about 10,000 tundra swans, 35 endangered trumpeter swans and 50,000 snow geese have congregated. Updates: (406) 467-2646.

On the Oregon Coast, Yaquina Head in Newport is a top West Coast location to view nesting seabirds. Info: (800) 262-7844.