From year-round endemic Cassia Crossbills to waterfowl passing through during the winter, countless bird species can be identified in and around southern Idaho’s Snake River watershed. The steep black basalt canyon walls provide shelter, the water supports plants and a nesting habitat for waterfowl, and the surrounding forests and sagebrush steppe offer sustenance for many species. Hidden amongst the reeds, willows, sagebrush sea, and thick timbered forests, you’ll find birders with binoculars glued to their eyes and spotting scopes in tow. Unlike many other recreational activities along the Snake, birdwatching requires people to slow down, be present, and pay attention to the minute details as they put the visual puzzle pieces together to positively identify the birds before them. Read more here.