IBRC #5-B-12

CBC Rare Bird Documentation Form

X Unusual Species X Unusual Date Unusual Habitat

1. Count Name: Bonners Ferry Count Code: IDBF

2. Species: Wilson's Warbler Age: 1st Year Sex: female

3. Date(s) of observation: Dec. 28, 2011 Time: 9:00AM to 9:20 AM

(Earlier/later dates by others, if known) Dec. 29, 2011 from 10 AM to 12:30PM

4. Place: Residential area next to the Kootenai River - weedy empty lot, dike with willows, yard with conifers, deciduous shrubs, elderberry bush, buildings, in Bonners Ferry near downtown

Nearest Town: Bonners Ferry County: Boundary

5. Observer(s): Jan Rose on 12/28/11//Allen Rose, Jan Rose on 12/29/11

Address: Allen & Jan Rose, 808 Wolverine Rd., Moyie Springs, ID 83845

Telephone/Email: 208-267-7791 aljanrose@hotmail.com

6. Observation Details: see page 2

Other Observers: Roger Doucet on Dec. 28, 2011 Distance from Bird: varied from 8 - 150 ft.

Optics Used: Pentax 8 x 42 binoculars, Swarovski scope Viewing Conditions: clearing, no precip.

Weather, sky cover, etc. : Dec. 28 AM was slightly overcast, 42 degrees, clearing/rainbow came out

Dec. 29th, sunny and clear, 48 degrees, could observe flying insects

Photos taken?: Yes Video?: Sound recording?: Specimen?:

7. Past Experience: With this or similar species? Yes - for all observers, common in summer

8: References or Advice Consulted: Sibley FG to Birds of Western North America

9. Was this report done from notes made during or after observation or from memory? all 3

10. Most Important: On Page 2 of this form (or on the back) give complete details of this observation. Use additional sheets as needed. Include information on the bird's plumage, shape, size, vocalizations, habitat, behavior, etc. Describe exactly what you saw: include photocopies of your original notes and sketches. Name the species that you considered ID contenders: explain why you eliminated them.

Signature: Jan M. Rose Date: Jan. 14, 2012

Observers please give this form to your compiler. Compilers please send all rare bird forms directly to your regional editor.

http://birds.audubon.org/programs/cbc/regional-editors

Page 2

Observation Details for CBC Rare Bird Documentation Form

Count Name: Bonners Ferry Observer(s): Roger Doucet, Allen & Jan Rose

Species: Wilson's Warbler Date: Dec. 28 & 29, 2011

Our group consisted of 5 people doing a section of the Bonners Ferry count. We were 2 blocks from downtown walking up and down the streets and checking out yards in a residential area located next to the dike and Kootenai River. There was a very weedy empty lot - Roger went up onto the dike which was covered in willows, other riparian shrubs, weeds. Jan was checking out the weedy patches of the lot. The other 3 were focusing on 2 large shrubs with a Song Sparrow and one other bird in it......which they identified as a Yellow-rumped Warbler. Before this Roger called out - "bright yellow and it's not a Goldfinch!." Jan went up on the dike and sure enough there was a very small 4-5", bright yellow breasted bird flitting around in the willow, then to the ground, up onto other bushes. It's behavior was shy, quick, and both of us said "Warbler?" We couldn't believe it. It took us about 20 minutes of careful watching and waiting to get glimpses....Roger said "blue-gray" wings, we both saw the bright yellow breast and olive-green head and back, then Jan saw it lean over and she could see the cap and said "Wilson's..." The cap was just darker olive-green, not black, but had a very distinct line at the front of the cap and showed a yellow line between the cap and bill. Roger tried to get a photo with his phone but no luck and bird soon disappeared farther down the dike and was inaccessible.

Roger and Jan then tried to help the other 3 positively ID the Yellow-rumped Warbler that they thought they had seen in the bush with the Song Sparrow but it too was gone.

On Dec. 29th the weather was even warmer, completely clear and sunny. Allen & Jan returned to this spot in town with the scope and camera. It was 48 degrees and sunny at 10 AM. We walked, watched, and waited. Jan - up on the dike, saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler fly up into the top of a 20 ft. willow and sit in the sun. Seeing the yellow on sides of breast, streaks on breast itself, lighter belly, small bill, there was no doubt about its ID. It flew down into thickets and could not be coaxed out. We waited quietly for 1/2 hour.....and then we saw movement against the building, below the dike in the side yard. There were insects flying and the Yellow-rumped was "hawking" insects out of the air. We stayed put and watched and waited. After awhile a 2nd Warbler showed up doing the same behavior. We identified it as a Wilson's Warbler. So we repositioned, set up the scope for positive ID's and were able to get pictures with the camera through the scope.