Birding Miscellanea

From my patch along the Jordan River in Salt Lake:  The river bends in this area and has created the steep bank shown here.  As I approached this area I could hear a Belted Kingfisher's rattle, so I worked to be more stealthy in order to get a photo of this awesome bird which has continued to eluded me.  Suddenly a Kingfisher bolted out of a hole in the dirt bank and second Kingfisher joined it in a raucous flight.  I had discovered a Belted Kingfisher nesting burrow in my patch!  I never got that Kingfisher picture, but I am excited to observe whatever I can at this nest site.  It is right next to a walking/biking trail, so I am hopeful that they are accustomed to regular passers-by.

Black-billed Magpies are prolific nest engineers.  They build a secure bed of twigs and even create a domed roof for protection from weather and predators.  It is always worthwhile to check out every Magpie nest you see. I have seen both Great Horned Owls and Long-eared Owls using old Magpie nests, often removing most of the dome roof.  Below is a Long-eared Owl I discovered nesting on a Magpie nest in my old neighborhood in the Boise foothills.  I have also seen Raccoons in winter huddled up in these Magpie-built hotels.