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Modified
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Archived bird sightings: May 2003 Return to main bird sightings page Compiled by Bill Fenimore Box Elder County 05/29 — Betsy Beneke while scouting the Snowville Breeding Bird Survey Route, found a pair of northern mockingbirds. The area where the birds were observed is called Salt Hills Flats and can be found in the Utah DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer, on page 59. The specific site is on the west side of this area, as it's before the terrain flattens out. The birds were 17.7 miles SE of the Locomotive Springs Wildlife Management Area main intersection (top middle of the DeLorme page 59) and approximately 3 miles NW of the large, brown, BLM sign that says "Salt Wells" with accompanying text. There were hills and a ridge along the north side of this area and the birds were between the main gravel road and the old railroad bed. Betsy also watched a young golden eagle capture, kill and start to eat a large snake. In the flats of Salt Wells there were about 20 snowy plovers. 05/16 — Pomera Fronce, birding the Willard Bay camp ground area observed Bullock's Oriole, yellow warblers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western and Eastern Kingbirds. In the pond north of the campground were six Black Terns mixed in with a number of Forster's. At the Harold Crane WMA, there were six Snowy Plovers. After you cross the river and start going west (with the dike on your right side), look for the plovers on your left. They were quite hard to see as they blended right in with the sand and short brown vegetation. 05/15 — Betsy Beneke went birding at Dale Young Nature Park in Perry where she observed a White-faced Ibis, Sora Rail, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, Willow Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting and Bullock's Oriole 05/10 — Kris Purdy recommends birding around the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I-15 exit. Pull off the northbound exit ramp, in the pond east of the ramp she saw six resting Caspian Terns, a Spotted Sandpiper, American Avocet, Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Redhead, and Canada Geese. In the pond between the ramp, the interstate, and the overpass to the refuge, she saw incredible numbers of Cliff Swallows and some Barn Swallows swooping over the grassy pond, Black-necked Stilts and two Wilson's Phalarope. The Cliff Swallows are nesting on the overpass on the southwest side. On the refuge road about two hundred feet west of the southbound exit ramp, a flooded field on the north side gave up White-faced Ibis, Cattle and Snowy Egret, Willet, Sandhill Crane flying overhead, Cinnamon Teal and Blue-Winged Teal. South of the road and east of the visitor's center construction site, I saw a Long-Billed Curlew. At Willard Bay between the farm pond north of the state park, the bay, and the Nature Trail, Kris reported Bullock's Orioles, Yellow Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, MacGillivray's Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, a Myrtle Yellow-rumped, Horned Grebe, Hammond's Flycatcher. Davis County 05/30 — Julie, Kent Lewis and Pomera Fronce made a quick run to Antelope Island today. At the first bridge on the North side of the causeway was a Red Knot and a Semipalmated Sandpiper. We found a Grasshopper Sparrow about a half mile before reaching the ranch. There was virtually nothing moving at the ranch. Our best bird there was a Willow Flycatcher. 05/25 — Ray Smith and Gina Bear reported a Ruddy Turnstone on the Antelope Island Causeway on the North side at the first bridge. They observed an Eastern Kingbird at the Fielding-Garr Ranch adjacent to the pond South of the Ranch House. 05/23 — Lou Giddings and Dennis Shirley birding Fielding-Garr Ranch at Antelope Island State Park reported the Northern Waterthrush was still to be found at the spring area. Additional-first of the year-species included a Gray Catbird and a Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, both in the cottonwoods at the ranch. Grasshopper Sparrow's were singing approximately 1/2 mile north of the ranch. 05/17 — Tuula Rose and Leena Rogers birded Antelope Island Causeway and observed Sanderlings, Dunlin and several Red-necked Phalaropes. They also reported Grasshopper Sparrows and Sage Thrashers on the way to Fielding-Garr Ranch. At Fielding-Garr Ranch they observed Orange-crowned, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Plumbeous Vireo, as well as a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Great to have the warblers back! 05/18 — Joel & Kathy Beyer reported observing 3 Barn Owls in the barn at the Antelope Island Causeway. On the Causeway they saw one Dunlin and one Black Tern along with many Red-necked Phalaropes and Sanderlings. At Fielding-Garr Ranch, they reported a Northern Waterthrush along the stream from the Spring House, and a male "Myrtle" Warbler was seen in the trees nearby. A Burrowing Owl and a Long-billed Curlew were south of the Park Visitor Center. 05/18 — Jim Danzenbaker of Brunton Optics and Bill Fenimore of the Layton Wild Bird Center reported five Dunlin on the North Side of Antelope Island Causeway between mile markers 3 and 4, mixed in with the thousands of Sanderlings. A Semipalmated Sandpiper was on the South side of the Causeway between mile marker 2 and 1 and a Red-breasted Merganser just off shore on the South side of the causeway between mile marker 2 and 1. There were many Red-necked Phalaropes staging in the area. At Fielding-Garr Ranch they observed Wilson's, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers. 05/16 — Bill Fenimore of the Wild Bird Center and Jim Danzenbaker of Brunton Optics birding the Antelope Island Causeway this afternoon observed Black-bellied Plovers, Baird's and White-rumped Sandpipers. The Sandpipers were between mile markers 3 & 4 or more precisely at GPS coordinates 4105.363 N and 11210.940 W. There were three Dunlin in the same vicinity as the Sandpipers. There were literally 30,000 Red-necked Phalaropes staging on the North side of the Causeway, along with 20,000 Sanderlings. A Whimbrel, Willet, Wilson Phalaropes and Long-billed Curlew rounded out the afternoon. 05/12 — David Lord has two Ringed Turtle-Doves visiting his backyard feeders regularly in Bountiful. 05/11 — Pomera Fronce birding at Antelope Island Causeway reported Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Wilson's Phalaropes, Long-billed Dowitchers and two Red Knots, as well as three Semipalmated Sandpipers. At Fielding-Garr Ranch Pomera observed Orange-crowned, Virginia's, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, MacGillivray's and Wilson's Warblers. There were Chipping and Lark Sparrows, Lazuli Buntings, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bullock's Orioles, Dusky Flycatcher and Hermit Thrush. Emery County 05/29 — an adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler was observed in a narrow leaf poplar grove along the Muddy River about 2 miles west of Moore Junction in Emery County. Moore Junction is 5 miles north of Emery on Highway 10. This area is on private ranch land. Permission to trespass must be obtained from Jim Fauver at (435) 749-0508. Juab County 05/13 — Eric Huish relocated the Red Knot reported earlier at the North end of Chicken Creek Reservoir among many Dowitchers and a Black-bellied Plover. 05/12 — Joel & Kathy Beyer observed a Ruddy Turnstone on May 10 and a Red Knot on May 12 at the North end of Chicken Creek Reservoir in Juab County. Millard County 05/27 — David Allan observed a pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves on 5/27 and again on 5/28 in Delta. The doves were observed both days perched on utility wires and poles along 100 West, between 100 North and 300 North, in Delta. Salt Lake County 05/18 — Joel and Kathy Beyer reported Gray Catbirds along Mountain Dell stream. Fox Sparrow and Red-naped Sapsucker were seen at George Washington Park. Summit Park produced Evening Grosbeaks and Red Crossbills. 05/15 — Bruce Robinson observed a Least Tern at the Lee Kay Ponds. Lee Kay Ponds, are across from the Salt Lake County Landfill, about 6000 West and California Avenue. 05/08 — Ed Conrad saw an Ovenbird in the same park that where he saw the Eastern Phoebe reported yesterday. It was along the Jordan River close to where 800 South crosses the Jordan River. Other warblers observed were Black-throated Gray Warblers, Orange-crowned, Virginia's, Wilson's, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers including one "Myrtle" type. Also seen were a Warbling Vireo and one Gray Flycatcher. 05/07 — Ed Conrad reported an Eastern Phoebe along the Jordan River Parkway at 840 South. To get there take 840 South (Genese Ave.) from 900 West and follow it to the end of the road. The Eastern Phoebe was in a Russian Olive just north of a bridge that crosses the river. There were also Yellow, Yellow Rumped, Orange-crowned, Wilson's, and Virginia's Warblers. There was also a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Bullock's Orioles, and a Hermit Thrush. San Juan County 05/27 — Nathan Pieplow and Andrew Spencer found a White-rumped Sandpiper and a molting female Red Phalarope at the sewage ponds just south of Blanding. 05/09 — Brian D Maxfield, Sensitive Species Biologist for Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Northeastern Region observed a Common Black-Hawk along Verdure Creek southeast of Monticello. It was perched along the creek near a small pond (UTM Coordinates 639788 4183160). The Acorn Woodpecker was seen in the usual spot where US 191 crosses Devil Canyon. Tooele County 05/11 — Bruce Robinson birded Butterfield Canyon and reported: Orange Crowned, Virginia's, and Yellow Rumped Warblers; Lazuli Bunting; Mountain Bluebirds; Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers; Loggerhead Shrike; Merlin; Chipping and Song Sparrows; Western Kingbird; and a Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Uintah County 05/25 — Joel & Kathy Beyer birding at Ouray NWR reported American Bittern, Indigo Bunting and Green Heron. The Indigo Bunting was seen along the road to Leola Bottoms (in the first group of trees and marsh past the end of the auto tour loop). The Green Heron was near the end of the auto tour loop, on an island in the Green River. From the top of the observation tower the Bittern could be seen and heard calling. Also seen on the refuge were Blue-winged Teal, Yellow-breasted Chats, Black Terns, Eastern Kingbirds (everywhere), Prairie Falcon, Blue Grosbeak and Willow Flycatcher. Utah County 05/25 — Alton Thygerson reported a Common Yellowthroat was seen at the end of Skipper Bay Trail (north of Utah Lake State Park) and two pairs of Eastern Kingbirds. At Provo Canyon's trail near Vivian Park, two Gray Catbirds were seen. To locate park in the Vivian Park's parking lot, walk down the trail, cross the wooden bridge, and for the next 25 to 75 yards look and listen for the bird. The second bird is further down the trail (estimated 400+ yards). 05/26 — Reed Stone and Robert Brown observed a Least Tern where the North west part of the South extension of the Provo airport dike connects with the original dike. 05/22 — Kelley Holtman reported birding the Great Western Trail and observed several Plumbeous Vireos. In Provo Canyon take 189 toward Sundance; approximately 1/2 mile SW of Sundance Hwy. 92 turn SE into Vivian Park; follow South Fork Road to the end for trailheads Big Springs & Shingle Mill (Great Western Trail). 05/13 — Eric Huish reported a Northern Waterthrush at Burriston Ponds. It was along a wooded trail between the two ponds on the North end, at the waters edge under some fallen logs. Other birds of note at Burriston were Lewis's Woodpecker and Great-tailed Grackle. Wasatch County 05/26 — Sharon Gander birded the Bureau of Reclamation area today below the Jordanelle Dam and saw a male American Redstart. Directions: walk downstream, around the metal gate looking for a weathered 1 inch square marking stick with a ribbon tied to it. The bird was seen in the dead trees right across from this marker. 05/26 — Carol Gwynn reported Bobolinks in the fields about a mile west, past the Other End bar in Heber. 05/25 — Joel & Kathy Beyer reported a male Common Grackle at Charleston Park (Heber Valley). 05/20 — Pomera and Dana Green reported Bobolinks. To locate this bird Turn off Highway 40 at the bar onto the North Fields Road. At the first intersection turn north and go to the second road heading west. The birds were on the North west field from this intersection. There were many Western Tanagers and Snipe. 05/13 — Pomera Fronce located a Northern Waterthrush at the Jordanelle Wetlands. Take Route 40 East about 2 miles north of Heber (below the Jordanelle Dam) to the stoplight at River Road and proceed east on Route 32 for ~1/4 mile to Old Route 40. Then turn north and proceed past an RV camp to the parking lot at the end of the road. Take the trail which starts near some buildings rather than the dirt road which goes right along the river. Cross the green timber footbridge and continue along the trail until you cross a second and then a third section of timbered footbridges. Walk about 100 yards past this third section and look for a stake on the left side of the trail which has PW-3 on it. The Waterthrush was in the bog on the right side of the trail across from this stake. A pair of Blue-Winged Teal were in the same general area. Pomera also saw Yellow Warblers, Audubon Warblers, Bullock's Orioles, Lazuli Buntings and a Western Tanager. Washington County 05/29 — Dennis Shirley birding at Lytle Ranch observed a small flock of late migrating Townsend's Warblers. At Red Hills Golf Course Dennis observed a Brown Thrasher. There was a young bird hanging around with an adult. They were along the South edge of the thick island of brush straight west of the maintenance area, in the same area where the bronze cowbird, vermilion flycatcher, and hooded oriole have been seen. From the maintenance access gate, at the end of the public street, walk northwest across the fairway to the thick brushy edge. 5/24 — KC Childs, Bob Bradley, Glenn Barlow, Josh Kreitzer, Rick Fridell birded Lytle Ranch, Utah Hill and Red Cliffs Golf Course. At Lytle Ranch they observed Hooded Oriole, Summer Tanager, Bell's Vireo, Brown Crested Flycatchers and a Ring Necked Duck at the pond. At Utah Hill the group reported Black Chinned Sparrows, Gray Vireos and Juniper Titmouse. At Red Cliffs they saw Vermilion Flycatcher, Eurasian Collared Dove and a Bronzed Cowbird. 5/25 — Lonny Boring, Bob Showler and a group of birders saw and heard a Northern Parula in the large sycamore trees in front of residence #40 in the Watchman Housing Area in Zion National Park. The bird has been singing in the area for at least a week. This is the first record of this species for the Zion area. The Watchman Housing Area is within walking distance of the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. You can ask for directions at the visitor center. 05/14 — Bob Showler, Lonny Boring, Christie Carmichael, Dennis Brook and Willie Dun observed a Northern Parula. It was singing in a tree at the North end of a pond located behind the Switchback Restaurant in Springdale. 05/13 — Bob Showler at Zion National Park received a report from a park visitor of a male Blue-throated Hummingbird along the Riverside Walk in Zion National Park (specific locations unspecified). No park staff have been able to confirm the report. 05/12 — Jim McIntyre reported 5 Red-necked Phalaropes off the Antelope Island Causeway. They were close to shore on the south side, about 1/2 mile west of Mile Marker #3. 05/11 — Larry Tripp birding at Lytle Ranch reported Townsend's Warblers, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin's Vireo and Least Flycatcher. 05/11 — At Pine Valley, Larry observed Tanagers, Grosbeaks, Plumbeous and Warbling Vireo's. There were Grace's, Audubon's and Virginia's Warblers, along with Dusky Flycatchers and a Bronzed Cowbird. Wayne County 06/19 — Dana Green and Pomera Fronce birded Capitol Reef National Park and observed Ash-throated, Cordilleran, Gray and Willow Flycatchers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Juniper Titmouse, White-throated Swifts, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's and a beautiful Black-throated Sparrow. Weber County 06/21 — The Layton Wild Bird Center Saturday morning bird walk was held at the North Arm of Pineview Reservoir. The group enjoyed seeing great views of a Fox Sparrow, Cat Bird and Yellow-breasted Chat, as well as young Osprey on the nesting tower. 06/03 — Misty Rowe reported a male Painted Bunting coming to a feeder in her yard over the last three days. It typically has shown up from 7 a.m., until 11 a.m., and late in the evening, around 7 p.m. She welcomes birders who would like to try for the bird. Her address is 6235 W. 5800 S., Hooper, telephone 985-0522. The feeder that the bird comes to is in the East side yard, hanging in an arch of Wisteria. 05/30 — Lee Shirley reported two Lewis's Woodpeckers excavating a nesting cavity in a broken off cotton wood approximately 100 yards from the gate at the Ogden Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area. 05/26 — Kris Purdy found several Bobolink on the North side of UT 39, 1/2 mile east of the turn toward Monte Cristo. She began at a rusty mailbox with the street number 8117. She could see Bobolink due north. At the intersection of 100 South in Huntsville, and 7800 East, follow 7800 East exactly a half mile north, headed to Middle Fork WMA. Turn east onto an unmarked dirt road across the street from 617 North 7800 East. Kris had great views of both a male and a female on the fence line. She was able to see them about a half mile further north from a subdivision road called Middle Fork Meadows. This area also featured winnowing Common Snipe and Savannah Sparrows 05/22 — Pomera Fronce birded the North arm of Pineview Reservoir in Huntsville and observed a couple of Yellow-breasted Chats, several Catbirds, Fox Sparrow, Calliope Hummer, Osprey, Downy Woodpeckers, MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow Warblers, Bullock's Orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Black-chinned Hummer and Cedar Waxwings. Most interesting was the "berry-passing" behavior of the waxwings. There were 3 birds engaged in this behavior. The one in the middle would pass the berry to one of the other birds, who then passed it back; then the first bird passed it to the 3rd bird, who passed it back. This continued for a minute or so until one bird was left out of the "game"; then it continued between just two birds with the 3rd watching for while and then flying away. The behavior continued for a while longer and then one of the birds ate it! An Eastern Kingbird was seen on the North side of the reservoir. 05/13 — Paul Merola observed an Evening Grosbeak on North St. in Ogden, 1 block east of Washington Blvd. It was in the trees along the irrigation canal on the South side of the street. To report bird sightings and/or hear recorded information, please call the Utah Bird Line at (801) 538-4730. You may also send e-mail to: frnatent@earthlink.net or BirderB@aol.com. Wild Bird Center (801) 525-8400 |
