Date: 6/4/25 9:16 pm From: Doug Ward via Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders...> Subject: [inland-NW-birders] Canyon Wren Kids & Other Stuff-Bayview, ID
We've had what I thought was a single CANYON WREN around our place off of Cape Horn Rd just east of Bayview, ID (Kootenai Co.) since early March, however, today (Weds., 4 Jun'25) heard what sounded like more than one down in the rocks by the lake shore. It turned out to be a family of at least two (2) kids and an adult feeding them insects it was finding way back in a rock wall - pretty fun and a rare breeding record for this part of the World! While not regionally uncommon, these guys don't have much habitat in North Idaho so are fairly scarce locally (same with Rock Wrens). The exception is out on Cape Horn Road where a fire back in 2015 cleared the forest and has left behind a hillside of exposed large rocks and early succession scrub (ninebark, elderberry, snowberry, Oregon grape, .) at the base of a cliff, excellent habitat for both Canyon and Rock Wrens, as well as.COMMON POORWILL!!
First heard at least one Poorwill out there on May 12th, then again last night (Tues., 3 Jun'25) around 9pm. We had probably two (2) birds in the same spot last summer, so thinking they have moved in to this now "improved" habitat post fire. Also returning to the remaining snags in this spot is a small group of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERs, the fourth year these rare (locally) and enigmatic birds have returned. In addition to these rarities, other species that prefer the new open scrub are having big years recently including NASHVILLE WARBLERs and LAZULI BUNTINGs. So it's a fun time out on Cape Horn currently and if you'd like more information, please let me know separately.
