I awoke to an inch of fresh snow on the ground and it has been snowing lightly, but not really accumulating. The Oregon Junco's are busy feeding out of my bird feeder and up on the hill in the bunch grass, sage and bitterbrush. Every few days I see small flocks of Robins and sometimes a few Starlings seem to accompany them. A Northern Flicker has also been hanging around the upper part of my yard and up on the ridge, and seems to be feeding on the ground.
Several Mourning Doves feed on the ground under my bird feeder every other day. I usually don't see so many doves but this year I have. There was a recent article in the local newspaper talking about Mourning Doves and how more of them are wintering in southern Idaho, perhaps due to more bird feeders in the area or a milder winter. Sibley's Guide to Birds does show the winter range of the Mourning Dove extending into southern Idaho.
Two nights ago I saw a Mule Deer Buck, feeding in the bitterbrush above the house. I first spotted his rack because it was so large and it was silhouetted against the sky. The Buck had 4 points on each side, with very long tines, and wide spread, and he was a beauty.
