Pocatello is described as one of the best birding spots in Idaho
- Michelle Wood: SWCD
- August 31, 2017
- 1723
Several weeks ago our daughter Kristi accepted a teaching position at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. It was a last-minute opening, and she only had a week to get ready to move to Idaho.
I volunteered to help her move. We packed her car and my car and drove 1,575 miles in two days, arriving in Southeastern Idaho after a beautiful drive through Wyoming. The last several hours we followed U.S. Route 30 as it angled through low mountains and along a lovely river until we reached Idaho. This is the same coast-to-coast highway I lived by while growing up on the east side of Wooster.
The day after we arrived, Kristi met people from the fine arts department, where she would be teaching introductory and advanced metals as well as introduction to art. Meanwhile I searched the area for an apartment, knowing it would not be easy this late in the summer. We eventually found a place up on a hill with a view over the city and with mountains in the background. Because it was unfurnished, the next task was to visit thrift shops and other stores each day.
Meanwhile I bought a copy of "The Idaho Bird Guide" by Dan Svingen and Kas Dumroese. This excellent book describes birding sites all over Idaho including 32 different places in Southeastern Idaho. I was delighted to see the Mink Creek area just south of Pocatello is described as one of the best birding spots in the state.
Once classes started, Kristi was busy teaching during the day, so I spent one morning along Mink Creek and a second morning in the American Falls/Aberdeen area. Pocatello is located at approximately 4,500 feet above sea level, but the nicely paved road along Mink Creek eventually reaches 6,500 feet at a U.S. Forest Service campground.
The campground is located at the base of Scout Mountain, which tops out at 8,500 feet. The vegetation changes from very dry and almost desert-like at Pocatello to cool and heavily forested at Scout Mountain.
My birding started at Cherry Springs, located along Mink Creek at 5,100 feet. A mile of trails through what used to be a Forest Service campground follow the stream, which is surrounded by dense riparian vegetation.
This is ideal for birds, insects and animals. Although it was often quiet this time of year, I did find a mixed flock of birds that included lazuli bunting, Wilson’s warbler, yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, orange-crowned warbler and MacGillivray’s warbler.
Gray catbirds called from the undergrowth while both spotted and green-tailed towhees also were present. Other birds included warbling vireo, cedar waxwing, Lincoln’s and song sparrows, and a lone female mallard. In the area I saw a number of Swainson’s and red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and a Cooper’s hawk.
At the Scout Mountain campground, the birds were different. Mountain chickadees, red-breasted nuthatches and pine siskins were joined by a red-naped sapsucker, hairy woodpecker, northern flicker and a migrant Townsend’s warbler. Common ravens called overhead.
It was a lot of fun to explore a new part of the country, and I’ve always loved the western mountains. Next week I’ll share a bit about the trip to the Snake River area.
Good birding!
Reach Bruce at birderbruce@yahoo.com or 330-317-7798.