I had a unique experience today while fishing at Dworshak Reservoir. The morning was very still except for the many birds singing. While waiting for fish to bite I relaxed and listened to the sounds of nature and tried to discern the names of the singers. Suddenly I heard a sharp, clear two note call and immediately snapped to attention. The call was a clear whistled "bob white!" It called again after a bit, then a third time, but never frequently enough to get a recording. Now, I know that these quail are not common to our area and I am also very familiar with their call as my father raised them in our backyard when I was a child, but I have to admit I thought I was hallucinating. My husband couldn't hear it so he can't corroborate my story. Then the calls stopped and I was left wondering. A few hours later I heard it call again, just twice, so again no recording and I couldn't see any bird on the hillside. We were fishing in the Canyon Creek bay if anyone is familiar with the area. I checked with eBird to see if someone may have reported one either recently or in the past and couldn't find anything there. My guess is that perhaps someone was raising them and released them, otherwise the little guy was extremely lost. Anyone know if that might be the case or perhaps you've heard one in the area?
I'm not really sure what else to do with my interesting discovery, but thought I would share with fellow birders who may be interested or crazy enough to go look for it. I'm pretty sure it was not a person up there whistling as that area is pretty inaccessible except by boat. I thought about reporting to eBird, but I have very little evidence to present beyond a few calls I recognized from childhood. Anyway, I just thought I'd share and maybe someone has some thoughts on it. Otherwise, hope you all are enjoying the beautiful sounds of nature somewhere! Catherine Temple
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*Catherine Temple*
*Pet Portrait and Wildlife Artist*
*Clarkston, WA.(208) 791-7052* <ctemple99...>
www.catherinetemple.com www.flickr.com/photos/ctemple/ _______________________________________________ Inland-nw-birders mailing list send email to: <Inland-nw-birders...> manage subscription: https://mailmanlists.us/mailman/listinfo/inland-nw-birders
