Hummingbird Banding at Bogus Basin
If you have nectar producing flowers or hummingbird feeders in your yard, you may have noticed an increase in hummingbird activity lately! During the summer months, a variety of hummingbird species zip around in the valley, and at Bogus Basin, prepare for fall migration with their babies. While they’re here, Bogus Basin and Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) are collaborating to collect hummingbird data for research. Keep reading to learn more!
Every other Monday, Bogus Basin invites the community to the mountain to watch a hummingbird banding event with the professionals at IBO. Participants watch as trained biologists band, measure, and release hummingbirds to collect data on their populations. Participants may also visit information booths hosted by IBO and the Bogus Basin Environmental Education team to learn more about these little pollinators.
During the hummingbird banding event, a representative from Bogus Basin guides a leisurely walk, sharing knowledge and fun facts about the native plants growing at our mountain playground.
Upcoming Hummingbird Banding Events at Bogus Basin:
- August 10th
- August 24th
Tickets are currently sold out, but you can join a waitlist on IBO’s event page. Follow IBO on Eventbrite to be the first to hear about 2027 hummingbird banding dates.
Research
Heidi Ware Carlisle, Education Director at Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO), is currently investigating the relationship between hummingbirds and winter recreation areas, like Bogus Basin. Her team hypothesizes that delayed snow melt rates on the ski runs at Bogus Basin may delay bloom timing for the flowers that hummingbirds eat. This might be a positive change: flowers will bloom closer to the nesting season, which is when hummingbirds need them most.
You can Help!
We are recruiting community scientists to help with these projects! Keep an eye out for new signage around the mountain with details about how to help collect valuable data while you’re out enjoying the mountain!
BluMorpho Project
Help IBO scientists track hummingbirds at Bogus Basin! The biologists use lightweight solar-powered tags that connect to cellular devices. All you need to do is enable Bluetooth and location services on your phone, and your device will automatically detect nearby bird tags and send their map coordinates to the research team.
Hummingbird locations won’t display on your personal screen, but your phone is collecting valuable data in the background!
iNaturalist Project
In addition to tracking hummingbirds, the Intermountain Bird Observatory is collecting data on wildflowers, a significant part of hummingbirds’ diet. IBO is studying when and where flowers are blooming, specifically looking for changes in blooms on established ski and snowboard runs. If you want to help us collect this data, and get involved in community science, download the iNaturalist app and submit photos of the wildflowers you find around on the mountain! Every photo helps us learn more about a hummingbird’s world!
About Bogus Basin Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the community to provide accessible, affordable, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education. Opened in 1942, Bogus Basin offers 2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain and 200 acres for night skiing, seven chairlifts and three conveyor lifts, and an 800-foot tubing hill. The Nordic Center offers 37 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Environmental education and community outreach programs, primarily youth, serve over 20,000 individuals annually. Summer activities include The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, The Mine Shaft Challenge Course, mountain biking, events, hiking and chairlift service for hike and bike transport. Bogus Basin is located 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest. www.bogusbasin.org
