~News and Upcoming Events~

• Sign up NOW for the Statewide Milkweed and Monarch Survey! Conduct 1-3 visits to a site between July 1at and August 15th.

• Saturday, June 7th ~ Field Trip ~ Birding by Bicycle in Rock Creek Park (see information below)

• Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Lesser Goldfinch Range Expansion ~ You've observed it, now there is confirmation. Article with link to the study. If you've reported Lesser Goldfinches on any ebird reports, your data are part of the study! Good work!

• Saturday, June 14th ~ ALL DAY (8:00 - 5:00) Birding Camas Prairie - Centennial Marsh WMA (see information below)

• Saturday, June 28th ~ South Hills Big Day (more info soon)

Statewide Milkweed & Monarch Survey

A community scientist driven effort to understand milkweed patch distribution, health, and monarch use in Idaho.

Co-lead by Joel Sauder, Casey McCormack and Tempe Regan

To sign up and get more information

CLICK HERE

Background

The Monarch butterfly is an iconic species. Their migration spans thousands of miles, and it takes 3 generations of monarchs to complete the journey. Historically, there were in excess of 1,000,000 Monarchs in the Western population wintering on the California coast. In recent years, that population has declined to <5,000 individuals. The Eastern population has also undergone large declines. This prompted the proposed listing of all migratory Monarch populations as a Threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. While there are many threats to Monarch populations (i.e. drought, pesticides, winter habitat loss, etc.), loss of summer milkweed habitat is particularly significant as monarch caterpillars are 100% reliant on these plants as their only food source.

In Idaho, the simplest thing we can do to support monarch populations is have healthy, abundant milkweed. In 2016-2017, Idaho Fish & Game conducted the first concerted effort to document and map milkweed across Idaho. This effort documented >2,875 patches of various milkweed species, and over 600 observations of monarch butterflies. In 2022-2024, regional efforts revisited some of these patches. However, to understand the complete picture of monarch habitat in Idaho, we need a statewide effort to assess milkweed patch size, patch persistence over time, and monarch use of those patches. This is where we need the help of committed community scientists.

Project Overview

During the summers of 2025 and 2026, IDFG will be asking volunteers to adopt milkweed patches from 1000 spatially sampled sites across the state and go survey them according to our protocol. A survey entails 1-3 visits to a site from July 1 - August 15. Surveyors will map the patch, count stems, search for monarchs, record patch health metrics, and estimate patch size. All data will be recorded and submitted using a Survey123 app (explained below).

If this project sounds appealing to you, please view the survey protocol by clicking the LINK below and reading pages 1-X for details of what will be asked of you when conducting surveys and collecting data. We will also be hosting a live training webinar that is open to anyone who may be interested in the project.

MILKWEED AND MONARCH PROJECT

FIELD TRIP

Birding by Bicycle along Rock Creek

Saturday, June 7th

8:00 - 10:00 AM

Better Birding by Bike!

Join Prairie Falcon Audubon's third annual Birding by Bicycle field trip! This year we are trying a later date and a new location in hopes that we won't have to contend with rain or wind. We'll pedal off for a morning of springtime bird watching along Rock Creek, on a paved trail, on bicycles — the very best way to go birding! Biking is quiet. The only sounds to compete with birds are the humming of tires on asphalt. When a bird darts across the path or flies overhead, you can just put your feet down and lift your binoculars. There’s no car roof to block out raptors, no curved windshield to distort views. If you want to investigate further, there’s no seat belt to undo, no beeping from the ignition key, no car door to remember not to slam!

We'll slowly ride 5-7 miles, watching and listening for vireos, woodpeckers, orioles, and other spring migrants. In addition, we will see and hear Song Sparrows, Yellow-rumped and Yellow Warblers, and hopefully may more species.

Be ready to leave the parking area at the Blake Street entrance to Old Town Parkway and Rock Creek Trail at 8:00 AM.

• Dress for the weather
• Bring your bike and a helmet (required)
• Bring your binoculars (easiest if you have a harness)
• Bring water, snack, etc. in a day pack.

FIELD TRIP

Camas Prairie - Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Saturday, June 14th

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Travel to Camas Prairie - Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area near Fairfield, ID with Prairie Falcon Audubon for a chance to view a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and other marshland species, including black terns and phalaropes. If we are lucky will also catch fields of Camas lilies in full bloom.

This will be a full day trip. It is mostly driving with stops to get out and bird at specific locations. Our route will take participants through Wendell and Gooding, with a couple short stops along the way. West of Fairfield we will turn south toward Mormon Reservoir. After a quick check for grebes, we’ll head to Centennial Marsh. These roads are dirt but generally in good condition and accessible by passenger cars. We will have a snack, or lunch if you’re hungry, on the “island”, where there are picnic tables and vault toilets. On the return trip we will head south over Monument Springs Pass and drop down to Bliss, via Pioneer Reservoir.

Birding Skill Level: For those having some birding experience.

Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Meeting Place:. Be at the West side of the Barnes and Nobel parking lot, 1239 A Pole Line Rd East, Twin Falls just before 8:00 AM so that we can head out right at 8:00.

This trip will be limited to 5 cars. Must be willing to carpool.

What to Bring: Bring a lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen and have a full tank of gas. If you end up riding in someone else's car, plan to bring some cash to help cover the cost of fuel. Please wear sturdy shoes for hiking and wear layers for weather. Don't forget your binoculars and/or a scope if you have them. No dogs please.

Restroom Availability: Vault toilets at Centennial Marsh, flush toilets in Fairfield.

Contact Information: Please contact trip leader Sarah Harris with any questions: idabirder@gmail.com

State of the Birds 2025

4. Avoid Pesticides

A healthy choice for you, your family, and birds: Consider purchasing organic food. Nearly 70% of produce sold in the U.S. contains pesticides. Don't use pesticides around your home and garden.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. fully supports

National Audubon Society's statement on

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

(www.audubon.org/about/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-audubon).

Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. believes that everyone has the right to enjoy birds, the outdoors, and a healthy and safe environment. In order to fulfill our mission to educate the general public about birds, bird watching, and preservation/improvement of the environment that birds and bird watchers share, we will work to include everyone, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, age, or disability. We are committed to building an equitable, diverse, anti-racist, accessible, fun, and inclusive organization that supports birds, and the people who watch them, in our community.