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Modified
Saturday, February 7, 2004
Archived bird sightings: December 2003 Return to main bird sightings page Compiled by Bill Fenimore Box Elder County 12/19 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge conducted the Waterbird/Raptor Count and reported the following: most of the units are frozen over with just a few pockets of open water where the birds are concentrating. The River and canals are open and host the gulls, herons and Goldeneye's. A total of 14,000 dabblers and 1,400 divers were counted. Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier and Great Blue Heron numbers are the highest recorded for any date in December. The 3 Great Egrets are apparently over-wintering here this year. Of special interest is the Baird's Sandpiper that was found on the Refuge and documented during the Christmas bird count on 12/17/03. See complete bird count. 12/13 — Stephen Peterson reported an Eurasian Collared Dove East of Mollies Cafe in Snowville. 12/12 — Pomera Fronce reported seeing a Eurasian Collared-Dove in Snowville, as well as many Ferruginous, Rough-legged Hawks and at Exit 24 off I-84, three Prairie Falcons. 12/12 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge completed the Waterbird/Raptor Count and reported the following: Refuge waters back open though very few birds. Around 10,000 total waterfowl compared to 40,000 this time in 2002. Three Great Egrets still hanging around and a late Eared Grebe were notable birds. A total of 90 raptors of six species counted. See complete bird count. 12/05 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird conducted the Waterbird/Raptor Survey and observed the following: about 90% frozen over in all units. Open water only in deep water canals, Bear River and below the Refuge where out flowing Refuge waters meet the Great Salt Lake (Willard Spur). About 20 percent of birds counted below were seen within the tour route area. However, gulls account for most of that percentage. The Bald Eagles have moved in. Highest count on Refuge this year at 42. Large groups of Herons to make up at total of 219! See complete bird count. 12/01 — Kris Purdy birding in Box elder County reported two Peregrine Falcons and two Bald Eagles at Willard Bay in the large trees favored by Bald Eagles south of the Pelican Beach Group Use area. On the road to Promontory near Thiokol Ranch, Kris saw a Prairie Falcon. Kris saw many Chukar's and Ring-necked Pheasants there, too. The pond at Thiokol Ranch was still open with a raft of Ring-necked Ducks, with a couple of Bald Eagles in the Cottonwood Trees. At Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area Kris observed Tundra Swans. Cache County 12/27 — Jim Lofthouse observed 40-plus Sharp-tailed Grouse in the neighborhood of the Paradise Cemetery and 11 Gray Partridge in the same area. 12/21 — Dana Green reported 8 Gray Partridge in the cattails along the North bank of the river between Cache Junction and Newton. Dana also reported Barrow's Goldeneye at the pond just off 89 as you come into Brigham City from Mantua. 12/20 — Ross Rasmussen reported Barrows Goldeneye on the Logan Golf Course pond. The course is located off Hwy. 89 in Logan. 12/12 — Richard Huron reported a Gyr Falcon in the Cache Junction vicinity. Cache Junction is near Cutler Reservoir. 12/14 — Bill Fenimore, Kris Purdy, Wendy Holmes and Jack Rensel went birding in the Cache Junction area looking for the Gyr Falcon reported earlier. Although, they did not see the Gyr Falcon, they did report two Prairie Falcons, American Kestrel, Ferruginous Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harriers in that same area. 12/11 — Stephen Peterson reported that the Varied Thrush is still being seen along the Logan Country Club Golf course canal in Logan that Sue Drown reported earlier. Stephen also observed Northern Flicker (female), Wild Turkeys and a Townsend's Solitaire. 12/06 — Stephen Peterson birding the First Dam at the mouth of Logan Canyon reported both species of Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, American Dippers (on the river), Belted Kingfisher, a Bald Eagle and a possible immature Golden Eagle high above the Country Club Golf course, in the hills. 12/01 — Jim Lofthouse reported that the Barrows Goldeneye are at the first dam at the mouth of Logan Canyon. Davis County 12/28 — Paul Higgins reported 3 Snow Buntings at mile marker three along the Antelope Island Causeway. 12/28 — Kris Purdy, birding Antelope Island, reported seeing 10 Long-tailed Ducks: Several were along the north side of the causeway from about mile marker 1 to the bridge, and 6 at the marina. Quite a few Common Goldeneyes and a one female Barrow's Goldeneye: on the north side of the bridge between mm 0 and 1. Other waterfowl observed included Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Ducks, Loggerhead Shrike — west of the bridge American Tree Sparrows feeding on rabbit brush along the road northeast of the Visitor's Center. And a Common Snipe at approximately mile marker 6. 12/20 — Ross Rasmussen reported that the Long-tailed ducks are still on the North side of the Antelope Island Causeway at the bridge before the marina. 12/20 — Bill Fenimore leading the regular Saturday morning Layton, Wild Bird Center bird walk reported 18 American Bald Eagles at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area and 300 Tundra Swans. They got great looks at a Loggerhead Shrike at the South end of the West dike. The group also saw a Prairie Falcon flying West along Glover Lane at the entrance gate. There were large raft of ducks on the resting pond, primarily divers including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Bufflehead, Goldeneye and a few Ruddy ducks. 12/19 — Kris Purdy reported a possible first-year Greater White-fronted Goose at Kaysville Ponds. The goose was with Canada Geese, Mallards, and other waterfowl in the North pond. The goose is a juvenile. It's white front, dark belly marks, nor white tail tip are completely developed. The beak is a washed-out pinkish-orange. The white front around the beak shows somewhat and the light color is backed up by a darker color that fades into the face. The black belly marks are not apparent, but the bird has some faint darker mottling on the lowest area of its neck. It also shows the white flank line between the wing and the flank. The primaries are just a bit longer than the tip of the tail and they obscure the tip when the bird swims. When standing on the ice preening, it fanned its tail and Kris could see several of the tail feathers—not all of them—were white-tipped. The most significant thing Kris noticed about this bird was the absence of the deep, heavy, low-slung white belly that Graylag Geese have. There were Hooded Mergansers and Ring-necked Ducks in the North pond too. Carol Davis and others asked about the 'No Trespassing' signs on the property. I believe they're intended to keep people off the areas not yet planted areas and not the paths, but you might want to call to make sure. Bill Fenimore kindly supplied the name and number of a contact at the USU Botanical Gardens who can field your questions: Richard Anderson; 593-8969. To reach Kaysville Ponds, take Exit 331 off I-15 and turn east. In approximately 1/2 mile, turn right on Main St. and proceed south for 1/4 mile. Then bear right on 50 W.. Drive approximately a half mile and you'll see the ponds on your right. They're sandwiched between 50 W. and the interstate. 12/16 — Pomera Fronce and Julie VanMoorhem birding at the Bountiful dump saw a Thayer's Gull. Kaysville Ponds had Ring-necked, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Hooded Mergansers (7 males and 2 females) and Bufflehead. On the North side of Antelope Causeway just before the bridge at the marina they saw the drake Long-tailed Duck and 6 hens, previously reported. They also saw a Loggerhead Shrike along the causeway. On the road to Fielding-Garr Ranch they observed American Tree Sparrows and a Rock Wren. 12/09 — Kris Purdy birding at Kaysville ponds, USU Botanical Gardens observed 8 Hooded Mergansers. Six of them were males in striking adult plumage. Other waterfowl observed there included a Bufflehead, a dozen Ring-necked Ducks, Canada Geese, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Gadwall, American Coot, and Pied-billed Grebes. To reach Kaysville Ponds, take Exit 331 off I-15 and turn east. In approximately 1/2 mile, turn right on Main Street and proceed south for 1/4 mile. Then bear right on 50 West. Drive approximately 1/2 mile and you'll see the ponds on your right. They are between 50 West and the interstate. 12/08 — Kris Purdy reported a covey of 14 Gray Partridge in Kaysville in a filed that is adjacent to and immediately east of The Nature Conservancy's Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. The partridge flushed from the vegetation along the road and flew a short distance west within the same field. Chris Brown, the Preserve Manager, told Kris that he has seen them several times, they appeared only recently, and he doesn't know how they found their way to that location. Here's how to get there: Exit I-15 at # 332, Layton and turn left at the traffic light, cross over the interstate and drive north on Main Street to Gentile Street. Turn left on Gentile and proceed west to Angel Street. Turn left on Angel St. and proceed a mile south to Weaver Lane. Turn right on Weaver Lane and proceed west .6 mile. You'll pass Kayscreek Subdivision on the left and the pavement ends. Pull off to the right side and look for the partridge in the field on the North side of the road. If you cross over Kays Creek, you've gone farther west than where Kris saw them. You'll also see the Shorelands Preserve pavilion and observation tower in the distance if you look due west. To get there from points north, exit I-15 at # 334, Hill Field Road. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp, and left on to Main Street at the next traffic light. Turn right onto Gentile and then follow the directions above. Duchesne County 12/13 — Eric Huish and KC Childs reported two Eurasian Collard Doves on the East end of Duchesne City. They were located near the flag and wigwam on the East end of town. They also observed a Northern Shrike along the main road halfway between Bridgerland and Duchesne. A second Northern Shrike was near the town of Tabiona. They reported a good number of Mountain Bluebirds in the Duchesne area, as well as Bald Eagles. Iron County 12/19 — during the Cedar City Christmas Bird Count, Charlie Sheard, Lee Jones, Max Hodson, and Don Myres observed a Red-breasted Sapsucker. The bird was an adult male, with plumage characteristics of both the Northern and Southern subspecies. The bird was seen in Cedar City, at the end of the paved portion of Spring Canyon Rd., which is in the general vicinity of East Canyon Park. Juab County 12/13 — Brad Wahlin birding south along the frontage road from the first Santiquin Exit observed 5 Ferruginous hawks, 2 Rough legged hawks, 1 Northern Harrier, 5 Red-tailed Hawks, and 3 American Kestrels. At Burriston ponds he observed 2 Pied-billed Grebes, and a Northern Flicker. At the Salem ponds observed birds were Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, American Coots, Gadwall, Northern Flicker, Pied-billed Grebe, and Wilson's Snipe. 12/08 — Eric Huish, Brad Wahlin and KC Childs birding along the road that goes south from the South Santaquin exit to Mona observed Ferruginous and Rough Legged Hawks. They saw a single female Hooded Merganser at Burriston Ponds. Kane County 12/06 — Russell Behrmann observed a photographed three Bald Eagles just west of Coral Pink Sand Dunes. One was "sitting" on top of a road-kill deer, aggressively fighting off a group of Ravens. He also reported two groups of Wild Turkey north of Kanab. Morgan County 12/05 — Matthew Harding reported observing four bald eagles and one golden eagle, within a two-mile radius of the East Canyon Resort. Rich County 12/14 — Tim Gorman reported the results of the Christmas Bird Count for the Evanston, WY/Rich County, UT area. Common Redpoll's were new to the Christmas count. Noticeably absent were Mergansers, Short-eared Owls, Hairy Woodpeckers, Waxwings, and Black-crowned Rosy-Finches. See complete count tally. 12/24 — A Trumpeter, previously reported by Kurt Finlayson, continues to be seen on Bear Lake. It is West of Laketown, very near the road which traverses the South end of Bear Lake, where it travels through a marshy area. It has a green neck band with the alphanumeric characters 5E3 in white letters printed on it. 12/20 — Kurt Simonson reported a Trumpeter Swan with a green neck band that had the alphanumeric 5E3 on it. It was at the South end of Bear Lake. It was with 5 other swans but it was the only one with a neck band. Salt Lake County 12/28 — Julie VanMoorhem and Pomera Fronce birding at Alta observed a Black Rosy-Finch with a small flock of about six Gray-crowned Rosy Finch in the trees by the feeder of the first house on the bypass road (entering from the top). At the Salt Lake City Cemetery they found a Merlin. At 4800 S. and 1300 E. they observed a large flock of Cedar Waxwings. 12/25 — Jack Holley observed a male Barrow's Goldeneye at the outlet of Parley's Creek in the Jordan River. To get to the location turn north on 1100 W. from 3300 S. Park at the Oxbow Trailhead then walk on the east side trail. Don't cross the river. 12/12 — The Winter Wren is back at City Creek SLC. I found it about 100 feet up from picnic area 6 around 5:10 p.m. Uintah County 12/16 — Diane Penttila completed the most recent Water Bird Survey at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge and reported the following conditions and bird species: most of the Green River is frozen and all the impoundment's are frozen. The following birds were seen within the survey route: Canada geese, 517; Mallard, 2; Northern harrier, 2; Coopers hawk, 1; Bald eagle, 3; Red-tailed hawk, 2; Great blue heron, 1. Two otters were also seen. Utah County 12/27 — Alton Thygerson reported a Harris's Sparrow on the Spanish Fork River. 12/27 — Eric Huish and KC Childs birding at Utah Lake State Park and the Provo Airport Dike reported an Orange-crowned Warbler and five Bald Eagles at the state park. Along the Airport Dike they saw White Crowned Sparrows, one Lincoln's Sparrow and American Tree Sparrows. 12/22 — Carol and Nicky Davis reported a Spotted Sandpiper at the Provo marina, on the North side of the South jetty. They also observed American Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Northern Flickers, Northern Shoveler, and a Song Sparrow at the Marina. Great Blue Herons were in the moat along the airport dike and a Merlin nearby that was chased off by a Kestrel. Other birds observed were Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, White-crown Sparrow, Ring-necked Pheasant, and Canada Goose. 12/10 — KC Childs reported seeing 19 species of birds while birding Powell Slough: Pied-billed Grebe, 15; Great Blue Heron, 1; Gadwall, 18; Northern Shoveler, 5; Redhead, 1; Northern Harrier, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; American Kestrel, 1; Virginia Rail, 2; American Coot, 35; Ring-billed Gull, 10; California Gull, 1; Black-billed Magpie, 5; European Starling, 100; Spotted Towhee, 1; American Tree Sparrow, 1 (in the Russian olives around the small pond); Song Sparrow, 5; White-crowned Sparrow 15; House Finch, 5. KC also birded the now drained ponds at UVSC and reported Killdeer and Common Snipe. 12/08 — Eric Huish, Brad Wahlin and KC Childs birding at Powell Slough (accessed from University Parkway in Orem) reported observing American Tree Sparrows near the pond and out on the edges of the pond they had great looks at a Virginia Rail. Washington County 12/27 — The St. George Christmas Bird Count included a Snow Goose in the Washington Fields, a Winter Wren and a Common Moorhen at the Red Hills Golf Course. The Zion National Park Christmas Bird Count Count included: a Winter Wren, two Hermit Thrush, and Golden-crowned Kinglets on the north end of Zion Canyon. There was a peregrine falcon in the Rockville/Grafton area. 12/21 — Larry Tripp birding along the Santa Clara at the South end of the Southgate Golf Course reported a Swamp Sparrow and 4 Orange-crowned Warblers. Below the confluence with the Virgin River he reported a Golden-crowned Kinglet and 2 more Orange-crowned Warblers. In Washington Fields there was an immature Bald Eagle, a male Richardsoni (prairie) Merlin and 2 Burrowing Owls. 12/20 — During the Silver Reef Christmas Bird Count 2 Fox Sparrows were reported on the way to Oak Grove, 2 Vesper Sparrows in Hurricane fields, a Plumbeous Vireo north of Lins in Hurricane and a Least Sandpiper in Toquerville. Other good birds reported were: 2 Virginia Rails, 49 Pinyon Jays, 1 Prairie Falcon, 3 Lewis's Woodpeckers and a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker in Toquerville. 12/16 — Rick Fridell reported White-winged Doves and Eurasian Collared-Doves in Washington City. There were 8 Eurasian Collared-Doves on the North side of 400 S. (and west of 100 E.). A flock of 11 White-winged Doves were along north Main St. (south of 200 North). Also the Lewis's Woodpecker is still hanging around the telephone along N. Main. 12/07 — Larry Tripp birding along the Santa Clara River just upstream from the confluence with the Virgin River along the back side of the Southgate G C observed a Yellow Warbler with a small flock of two Orange-crowned a Yellow-rumped and a couple of Kinglets. At this late date it is probably wintering. Larry requests birders post observations of these birds, if anyone observes it when in that area. 12/08 — Dana Green and Larry Tripp birding at Lytle Ranch observed an Adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. They first saw it near the bathrooms eating pomegranates and a couple hours later as they were leaving it was in the tall ash trees around the ranch houses. Weber County 12/21 — Kris Purdy reported a Prairie Falcon near the intersection of 12th and 5100 West, a Merlin—gray phase, near the intersection of 12th and 7500 W., many American Kestrels out in the Little Mountain region and one lone Rough-legged Hawk. 12/20 — Mort and Carolyn Somer reported a Varied Thrush that was observed during the Wasatch Audubon Christmas Bird Count, along the Ogden River Parkway. To reach the area of the sighting, park at the old Visitor's Center on Washington Avenue and walk East along the parkway. The bird was in a tree near the parking lot for the old rodeo stadium that is adjacent to the river. It was with a flock of Robins. 12/05 — Mort and Carolyn Somer went to see the Blue Jay at Steve Federmann's house in North Ogden. They were amazed when they saw a female Anna's Hummingbird instead. As a bonus (as if one were needed) a Merlin sat on the roof of an adjacent house for a long time. Mort and Carolyn had good looks at the Blue Jay too. 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 |
