Not only the fishing at Henrys Lake draws me there several times each week. The abundance of birds there also excites me. Mountain Bluebirds, Song sparrows and swallows line the roads and utilize many of the nest boxes placed along the road. The other day I had a young Tree swallow land on my fly rod while I was fishing. I let it rest awhile before it flew back toward the shore. For several years I have been doing a count on adult Red-necked grebes as their population continues to increase on the lake. With only four to six recognized breeding spots in Idaho, the Red-neckeds are booming on Henrys.
Last year I did four counts and the most I saw in one day was 62 adults. This year I have only made two counts and the high so far has been 87 adults and 36 pairs had chicks with them.
While fishing in the A-Frame Bay, I had several pairs swim very close to me with their chicks. Close enough for some fairly good pictures.
In 2005 there were an estimated 100 breeding pair in Idaho with the first pair showing up on Henrys Lake in 1986.
They are an interesting bird that prefer the sculpin that live in Henrys Lake. It is interesting to watch the adults dive for food and then feed it to the young. Or to watch the young chicks ride on the backs of the adults.
A chick grabs an adults feather to climb up on the back for a piggy-back ride as the adult shouts its displeasure.
I will be writing an article for the Rexburg Standard Journal newspaper in the next few weeks on them. They are a fun bird to watch.
1 comment:
Wow, you really did get some really nice and close pictures of those grebes!! I love photos of birds doing their thing..pulling on Mom's feather to get up on her back!! Very nice! I can see why you favor this bird..very animated and who wouldn't fall in love with those striped babies!! I am happy to hear they have increased in population since 86!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment! Do hope you have a nice weekend..:)
Post a Comment