Reply-to: "Kristin Purdy" <kristinpurdy at comcast dot net>
Sender: owner-birdtalk@utahbirds.org
What a coincidence! I think I'm in
hyperphasia also, except that I'm going to skip the hybernation
part.
Cassin's Finches visited my feeder in Ogden a
week ago for the first time in 2 years. Their appearance may be
another harbinger for a good irruption year.
Subject: [BirdTalk] Re: [birdnet] R-b
Nuthatches (Fri.) & Blue Jay (Wed.)
On a related note, I recently spent 2 weeks shooting in
Idaho and Yellowstone NP. During that time I saw 7 Grizzly and 7 Black
Bears. One Griz sow and two Black sows had cubs. Last year we
only saw one Black Bear.
The bears seem to have retreated from the high country
early this year - probably due to a drought-related shortage of whitebark
pine nuts and berries. They are now in hyperphasia, consuming vast
amounts of calories directly before hibernation.
As Tim Avery noted yesterday, this may be a good
winter for irruptions... Interested Utah birders may also wish to
subscribe to IBLE (Idaho Birders Linked Electronically). The URL is www.yahoogroups.com/group/ible.