According to Pete "Zimo" Zimowsky of the Idaho Statesman in a January, 2010 article, "the Boise River is a magnet for birds in the winter, which makes it one of the best bird-watching areas in the Treasure Valley. You have a chance to see everything from bald eagles to wigeons to woodpeckers."

"The open water attracts a lot of waterfowl," said Pam Conley, president of the Golden Eagle Chapter of the National Audubon Society. "They find water, food and shelter," she said, because other waters and natural areas are frozen.

To read more of Zimo's article and top check out his blog click here.

The Ray Neef, MD Boise River Recreation park will do much to mitigate years of neglect along this stretch of river making it more hospitable to birds.

Idaho Birding Trail

With the completion of the Bernadine Quinn, Ray Neef, MD Boise River Recreation Park - Esther Simplot - Veteran's Memorial Park complex, Boise's Greenbelt and parks will nearly double the opportunites for riparian and bird habitat.

A Description of Boise River Bird Watching from the "Idaho Birding Trail"

The Boise River, which winds through the heart of the city of Boise, includes open water and adjacent riparian habitat. Bald Eagle winter in the area and nesting has occurred nearby in recent years. Large flocks of waterfowl (Canada Goose, Mallard, and American Wigeon, but also Wood Duck, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneye), and gulls (California and Ring-billed) also use the river during the winter months. Osprey can be seen on the river throughout the spring and summer, as well as waterfowl (Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Hooded and Common Mergansers), waterbirds (Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Coot), shorebirds (Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper), songbirds (Song Sparrow, Western Tanager, Black-capped Chickadee), Downy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker, raptors (American Kestrel, Western Screech-Owl, Merlin). A Great Blue Heron rookery is also located within this IBA just E of the greenbelt entrance at the E end of Park Center Blvd (west of Barber Park).

For more about the Idaho Birding Trail click here.