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Thursday, July 1, 2004
Archived bird sightings: April, 2004 Return to main bird sightings page Compiled by Bill Fenimore Box Elder County 04/28 — Betsy Beneke found a male broad-tailed hummingbird darting around her Perry patio. She brushed 2 inches of wet, sloppy snow off the top of the hummingbird feeder, refilled it with warmed nectar, and the hummer quickly zoomed in and drank, and drank, and drank... Betsy, also had six male Lazuli Buntings at the bird feeders. 04/23 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge conducted the Waterbird/Raptor Survey of the refuge and reported the following conditions and bird observations: Total number of ducks is about 20,000 off from the long-term average at about 40,000. I think most of them are around, they're just out on Willard Spur. Total number of shorebirds of about 24,000 is close to the long-term average of 17,000 for this time of year. Shorebird migration appears to be about a week ahead of schedule as far as the avocets and stilts. Highest use of the Refuge by all birds is in Unit 6 out on the spur. New birds this week include Forster's Tern, Prairie Falcon, Wilson's Phalarope, Sora and a Eurasian Wigeon in Unit 1. See complete bird count 04/23 — Mark Stackhouse reported a male Eurasian Wigeon at Bear River Refuge in the impoundment on the north side (across the canal) from the northwest corner of the auto tour loop. There were 15 Sharp-tailed Grouse at the state line road lek west of Portage, 6 Gray Partridge near the Nucor steel plant in Plymouth and several Grasshopper Sparrows in the fields NW of the plant area. 04/18 — Carol Davis birding at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge reported Sandhill Cranes, Snowy Egrets, two Virginia Rails, American Pipits, Great Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, Western and Clark's Grebe, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Curlews, and Wilson's Snipe. 04/07 — Ken Ringer birding at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (BRMBR) reported seeing the following birds: Western Meadowlark, Great Blue Heron, American White Pelican, Double Crested Cormorant, Killdeer, Red-breasted and Common Merganser, Avocets, Long-billed Curlews, Canada Geese, Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, Coots, Western Grebes, Snowy Egret, Great Egret and Sandhill Cranes. 04/02 — Lu Giddings reported several thousand Lesser Snow Geese in Corinne, about 1–1.5 miles northeast of the Bear River Duck Club. Lu also saw them on the ground in a field immediately north of the home at 780 N. 6800 W. in Corinne. There was at least one dark-phase goose in the group. Lu Reported good birding at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management. He observed 31 species at Salt Creek in a little over an hour. Cache County 04/21 — Richard and Jill Wood birding at Hyrum State Park reported observing the following birds: Common Loon, Western Grebe, Canada Goose, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Red-breasted Merganser, Osprey, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Sandhill Crane, American Avocet, Franklin's Gull, California Gull, Caspian Tern, Belted Kingfisher, Black-billed Magpie, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, House Finch 04/09 — Anis Aoude, DWR Wildlife biologist reported 30 Common Loons on Hyrum Reservoir and an Osprey building a nest on a cellular telephone tower east of the dam at Hyrum Reservoir. Davis County 4/30 — Kris Purdy, Brian Currie and bill Fenimore observed 3 Dunlin in breeding plumage, along with Western Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Sanderlings on the north side of the Antelope Island causeway between mile marker 2 and mile marker 1. Willets, Avocets and Black-necked Stilts were on the south side of the causeway, as you come onto the Island. Two Long-billed Curlews calling flew by at the turn off going to Fielding Garr Ranch. Brian and Kris also saw Black-bellied Plovers on the causeway. 4/28 — Steve Coleman, Farmington Bay naturalist reported Red-necked Phalaropes on the west side of the privately owned pasture that is just inside the main gate at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. 04/28 — Kris Purdy and Glenn Barlow birding Antelope Island Causeway reported observing the following birds: 31 Black-bellied Plovers on the mud flats south of the Causeway at the bridge between mm 6 and 5. Three Red Knots were mixed in with the plovers. They also found many Sanderlings and Western Sandpipers on the north side of the Causeway from about mm 4 to 2, and on the south side from about mm 3 to 2. Great Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants, Killdeer, Willets, American Avocets, Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Long-billed Dowitcher. Waterfowl included Canada Geese, Gadwall, Cinnamon Teal, Bufflehead's, and Lesser Scaup. They also saw American Coots, Eared Grebes, White-faced Ibis, California, Franklin's, and Ring-billed Gulls, a Northern Harrier, Red-winged Blackbirds, Western Meadowlarks, a Common Raven and Western Kingbird. 04/24 — Hugh Gillilan and Gary Grubb reported Sanderlings, Western Sandpipers and Marbled Godwits, along Antelope Island Causeway. On the island they observed Chukar's, Burrowing Owl and a Long Eared Owl found by Ed Leite. Its location: a cottonwood branch in the middle of the dense growth east of the ranch buildings. Say's Phoebes, Yellow-rumped Warblers and kinglets were also on the grounds. 04/24 — Bill Fenimore leading the Layton, Wild Bird Center Saturday Bird Walk reported Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Sanderling and Dunlin on the north side of Antelope Island Causeway at mile marker 2 and mile marker 1. There were a large number of Marled Godwit and one Whimbrel on the causeway too. 04/24 — Dennis Shirley and Lu Giddings observed Semipalmated Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper and Dunlin were seen on the north side of Antelope Island Causeway between the rusty culvert at mile marker 2 and mile marker 1. All were in the company of a mixed flock of about 650 Sanderlings and 650 western sandpipers. 04/18 — Carol Davis birding at Kaysville Ponds reported Double Crested Cormorants and Caspian terns. On the Antelope Island Causeway she reported Dunlin, Western Sandpipers, Sanderlings and Horned Grebe. 04/17 — Kris Purdy and Glenn Barlow birding on Antelope Island reported hundreds of Western Sandpipers on the north side of the Causeway — primarily from about mm 4 to 2. They also saw a Black-bellied Plover in half 'n' half plumage on the north side of the Causeway on the first bend as you head west — between mm 4 and 3. At the rocky spit that stretches out toward Fremont Island at mile 1.5, they saw Sanderlings, Western Sandpipers and 7 Dunlin. Two Horned Grebes circulated among the Eared Grebes on the south side of the bridge at mm 1 and toward the island. They reported getting good looks at 5 Marbled Godwits poking along the shore just as you turn south off the Causeway and head toward Garr Ranch. At Fielding-Garr Ranch were Yellow-rumped Warblers (all Audubon's and Ruby-crowned Kinglet's. 04/16 — Jack Binch, birding Antelope Island observed a great number of Sanderlings on the Causeway, along with Western and Least Sandpipers and one Dunlin. The Dunlin was a little east of the rusty culverts on the north side. The Ranch had a lot of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets and one Swainson's Hawk. 04/16 — Kris Purdy, birding Antelope Island reported seeing the Dunlin and the peeps around mile marker 2 reported by Jack Binch. There were four Dunlin altogether. The first three were almost completely in breeding plumage. The fourth one was completely in winter plumage, poking along the shore next to the spring Dunlin. They provided a great opportunity to see the alternate and basic plumages of the same species as the birds poked along together. Kris also saw Western Sandpipers — about 20 total — and hundreds of Sanderlings. Kris saw a Horned Grebe on the north side of the bridge near mm 1, and another far to the south between mm 1 and 0. Generally speaking, most of the large shorebirds were far off the Causeway south of mm 5 and 6, most of them were Willets. American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts also waded along the Causeway or at the marina. There was a pair of Blue-winged Teal and Lesser Scaup north of the Causeway and just east of the first bend between mm 4 and 3. Other waterfowl enjoying the lake included Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, and Cinnamon Teal. Water birds or waders in the area included American Pelicans, American Coots, White-faced Ibises, Long-billed Curlews, many Great Blue Herons and Double-crested Cormorants, California Gulls, and Franklin Gulls. Kris reported her first Brown-headed Cowbird of the year. She saw Brewer's Blackbirds, Western Meadowlarks, Common Ravens, American Pipits, an American Kestrel, Killdeer, and Tree, Barn, and Rough-winged Swallows. 04/14 — Pat Medell reported seeing two Long-billed Curlews on Antelope Island. They were near the road by the Ranger's residence. Pat also saw a Burrowing Owl near White Rock Bay. 04/11 — Joel and Kathy Beyer birding the Antelope Island Causeway reported Sanderlings scattered about and a Glaucous Gull on the south side between mile markers 3 and 4. It was a "pale juvenile," as depicted in Sibley's. 04/09 — Kris Purdy, birding Antelope Island causeway reported the following birds: MM 6 to about 2: Thousands of California Gulls, MM 6 to 5: American Avocets and Franklin's Gulls. MM 4 to 3: Sanderlings, MM 2 to 1: Sanderlings and a Long-billed Curlew. MM 1 to 0: Eared Grebes, Ruddy Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Horned Grebes and Willets. Other birds seen in the vicinity included Canada Geese, Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer, American Coot, American Pipits, Rock Wren, Chukar, Ring-necked Pheasant, Common Raven, American Magpie, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Red-winged Blackbird. Iron County 04/18 — Steve Coleman birding in the Cedar City area, up the Canyon Trail observed 4 Chukars up close for a good view. He also observed: Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers, Spotted Towhee, Green Tailed Towhee, Blue Gray Gnat Catchers, Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Bushtit, Song Sparrow, Scrub Jay, Steller's Jay, Turkey Vulture and Common Raven. Juab County 04/04 — Jack Binch birding at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge reported observing the following birds: Sage Thrasher, Say's Phoebe, American Coot, Cinnamon Teal, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Mallard, Redhead, Pintail, American Wigeon, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Snowy Egret, Red-winged Blackbird, Raven, Savannah Sparrow, Double-crested Cormorant, American White Pelican, Marsh Wren, Sandhill Crane, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Shoveler, American Avocet, Bufflehead, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Meadow Lark, Northern Flicker, Long-billed Dowitcher, Ruddy, Red-breasted Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Loggerhead Shrike, Vesper Sparrow, Ring-billed Gull, Black-crowned Night Heron, Eared Grebe, Tundra Swan, Black-necked Stilt, American Pipit, House Finch, and Green-winged Teal. Salt Lake County 04/28 — Deedee O'Brien reported two gorgeous male Lazuli Buntings in her yard. She also has Band-tailed Pigeons (over the last several years) at a feeder in the front yard and in the trees. Her address is: 4527 S. 2995 E. in Holladay. Deedee welcomes calls, if you're interested. Her phone number is 272-8060. If you prefer a drive-by look, check all the trees anywhere around the house. The large sumac in the backyard along the fence line with neighbor to the North is a likely spot for them, and right now the leaves are not fully out on that tree, making it easier. 04/20 — Bruce Robinson birding at Lee Kay Ponds observed a Least Tern. The Least Tern was preening about 50 feet west of the gazebo. Bob could see the white "headlight" without using binoculars. Bob found the Least Tern here last year too. 04/18 — Milton Moody, Mike Johnson and Eric Huish reported a Blue-winged Teal and what looked like a Cinnamon x Blue-winged hybrid at Lee Kay Ponds. They also saw the two Great Egrets previously reported, as well as a bunch of Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Forster's Terns, Barn, Cliff and Bank Swallows. 04/16 — R. Parsons, birding at Lee Kay Ponds reported two Great Egrets in the pond by the west gate. He also observed Common Grackle, Snowy Egret, Red-breasted Merganser, Franklin's Gull, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-necked Stilt, Avocets, Double-crested Cormorants, Yellow headed and Brewers Blackbirds. 04/09 — Bruce Robinson birding at Lee Kay Ponds reported Snowy Egrets, White Faced Ibis, and Franklin Gulls. 04/04 — Lu Giddings birding at Lee Kay Ponds observed a Horned Grebe. It was swimming in the pond immediately south of the portion of the dump in which yard waste and mulching are taking place. 04/04 — Bruce Robinson birding in Big Cottonwood Canyon observed two Dippers in the stream. One of the birds was quite busy gathering nesting material, and would fly with the twigs to a rocky ledge where it was building a nest. The location where I found this pair is four-tenths of a mile above the bridge at Storm Mountain. There are 2 power poles near the road on the north side of the highway. This is a good place to park. Across the road from this location is a small wooden sign (blank) that is probably 1.5'x2'. Directly behind this sign and slightly to the west is where I saw the 2 dippers. 04/01 — Pomera Fronce birding at the Lee Kay Ponds reported Franklin's Gull, Cinnamon Teal, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, American White Pelicans and Common Mergansers, to name a few. Tooele County 04/11 — Dana Green and Julie Van Moorhem birding in South Willow Canyon (which is closed just above the houses in the lower part of the canyon) observed Eared Grebes on the reservoir and Long-billed Curlews calling in the fields around the reservoir. Juniper Titmice, Downy Woodpecker, Pine Siskin were in the lower part of the canyon. At Clover Campground they saw two Spotted Towhees, Cooper's Hawk, Turkey Vultures and Golden Eagle. They saw Willets, Avocets, Stilts, Canvasbacks, Cinnamon Teal, at various places in the county. Uintah County 04/28 — Bryan Shirley birding at Ouray NWR reported seeing one Solitary Sandpiper at point one on the tour loop. At the lakes down the road that goes to the fish hatchery were two Black-bellied Plovers, two Semipalmated Plovers, Marbled Godwits and Long-billed Dowitchers. We weren't able to see a Bittern, but there were a few calling. Interesting migrants included Black-throated Gray Warblers, Plumbeous Vireos and Bullock's Orioles. 04/23 — Ouray National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day by hosting its 10th Annual Open House event on Saturday, May 8, 2004. This event will include activity stations for children of all ages and fun for the entire family. Stations include: wetland insect identification, wetland bird identification, live hawks, Refuge System information, invasive weed identification, build a bird house, prescribed fire information, live endangered fish, and live game birds. This event provides an opportunity for boy scouts to earn the Ouray NWR patch by participating in the open house. The event begins at 7:30 am and continues until 1:00 p.m. This event is a cooperative effort and will include personnel from other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs, the Uintah County Mosquito Abatement District, Hawk Watch International, Bureau of Land Management and support from local volunteers. International Migratory Bird Day is an annual event focusing attention on migratory birds that travel between wintering grounds in Mexico, South and Central America, the Caribbean and nesting habitats in North America. It is an opportunity to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation. Migratory birds have been the cause or catalyst for some very significant moments in conservation history, including the creation of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Today the National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses more than 540 refuges including Ouray, which was established in 1960 "for use as an inviolate sanctuary or for any other management purpose for migratory birds." For additional information on the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge Open House, contact Dan Alonso, Refuge Manager at (435) 545-2522. 04/19 — Diane Penttila, conducted a general water bird survey at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge and reported the following birds being seen within the survey route: See complete bird count 04/07 — Diane Penttila of Ouray National Wildlife Refuge conducted a General Water Bird Survey and reported the following conditions and birds present: flooded the shallow impoundment's off the Auto Tour Route and there is water remaining in Leota Bottom and Johnson Bottom from last year, but we are worried that we will not get sufficient spring flooding to flood Sheppard Bottom and recharge the other areas. See complete bird count Utah County 04/30 — Milton Moody reported a Green-tailed Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Broad-tailed Hummingbird and at least two different female hummingbirds (one might be a Black-chinned) coming to his feeder. 04/28 — Six Utah County Birders walked Skipper Bay trail and saw 45 species of birds along the walk including some first sightings of the year birds. Highlights were a Great Egret, Chipping and Brewer's Sparrow, an early Bullock's Oriole and a first for the year Yellow Warbler. Other birds seen: Clark's Grebe, American White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Canada Goose, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Ring-necked Pheasant, California Quail, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Common Snipe , California Gull, Caspian Tern, Mourning Dove, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Black-billed Magpie, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bullock's Oriole, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow 04/10 — Robert and Marilyn Parsons reported a Burrowing Owl by the Silos in Elberta. They are nesting by the second telegraph pole north of the RR tracks and only 50 yards east of the highway. There is a bare spot of sand where owl is. Also observed a Short-eared Owl on the highway between Mona and Goshen Canyon. On east side of road about middle distance between north and south ends of reservoir. Cedar Waxwings are still at Burriston Ponds. 04/08 — KC Childs birding at Timpanogos Wastewater Treatment Plant observed Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Bank Swallow, Herring Gull and a male and female Blue-winged Teal. 04/03 — Lu Giddings reported a Ross' Goose with a flock of Canada Geese in a field about 800 yards north of Lincoln Beach. The flock was feeding in the field's short grass about 300 yards east of the highway. Lu also observed a Blue-winged Teal in Secret Pond in Goshen. To reach Secret Pond, turn north on 13000 W. in Goshen (i.e., the first right as you proceed west out of town). Follow the road to it's end and turn left. This short dirt road ends at a gated fence. The pond is clearly visible from the fence and easily observed in its entirety. Wasatch County 04/25 — Bob Huntington and Bob MacDougall found a Northern Waterthrush at the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) mitigation area below Jordanelle Dam. If you line up the red and white RV sign on the hillside with the dead tree just east of the boardwalk and look west you'll see the area where they located it. They also saw their first Yellow Warbler of the season. 04/17 — Lu Giddings, reported a Williamson's Sapsucker up Sheep Creek. It was observed for several minutes in a snag just off the side of the road, several miles up the dirt road that crosses over from Sheep Creek to Strawberry Reservoir. There were also Red-naped Sapsuckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, and Northern Flickers in the area. Washington County 04/30 — Rick Fridell, Kevin Wheeler and Larry Tripp went on a Big Day of birding in Washington County. They started at Oak Grove before daybreak and ended at Lytle Ranch after dark and birded everywhere they could in between. They saw a total of 155 Species: waterfowl with 16 species (well for Washington County this time of year); shorebirds (15 species; good in Washington County any time of year!); Warblers (10), and Sparrows (12). They had five species of pigeons/doves, and missed the Rock Pigeon. There were not high numbers of fresh spring migrants around, but we saw just enough (ONE) of several new arrivals, including: Gray Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Gray Vireo, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, and Blue Grosbeak. Other highlights included: Cattle Egret (3) at Quail Creek State Park; Blue-winged Teal on the SR-9 Sewage Ponds; Swainson's Hawk (6-8) in the Washington Fields; Snowy Plovers (5) at Sand Hollow State Park; Solitary Sandpiper at Tonaquint and Red Hills; Sanderling (4) at Sand Hollow; Semipalmated Sandpiper at Hela Seegmiller Park, Washington Fields; Anna's Hummingbird (male) along road below Oak Grove 04/28 — Alton Thygerson birding at Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park reported: Virginia's Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Golden Eagle, White-throated Swifts, Lazuli Bunting, Bushtit, Juniper Titmouse, and Plumbeous Vireo. At the Dixie Red Hills Golf Course he saw a Vermillion Flycatcher and a Sora Rail. 04/29 — Alton Thygerson at Lytle Ranch he reported: Common Black-Hawk, Eurasian Collared Dove, Lucy's Warbler, Plumbeous Vireo, Hooded Oriole, Summer Tanager, Cactus Wren, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Gray Flycatcher, and a Gray Vireo. South of the town of Gunlock a Blue-winged Teal. 04/30 — Alton Thygerson, along the Virgin River Parkway, reported a Greater Roadrunner and a White-winged Dove in Washington. 04/27 — Charlie Sheard birding at Sand Hollow Reservoir reported Blue-winged Teal at the Southwest corner of the lake, near the West Dike. There were 7 Wilson's Phalaropes in breeding plumage on the NE SR-9 sewage pond and Ruddy Ducks in their breeding plumage. 04/24 — Carol and Nicky Davis birding up Kolob (by way of the town of Virgin) 52 species total: on the drive up the canyon they saw American Pipits, Mountain Bluebirds, Plumbeous Vireo, Virginia's Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Green-tailed Towhee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-throated Sparrow, Black-chinned Sparrow (vocal), Yellow-rumped Warbler, House Wren, Rock Wren, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Black Capped and Mountain Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Steller's jay, Scrub Jay, Golden Eagle, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-throated Swift (life bird), Lesser Goldfinch, Black-chinned Hummingbird, and a Broad-tailed Hummingbird. At Kolob reservoir they reported a Common Loon, Long-billed Dowitchers, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Killdeer, Ring-necked duck, and Western Grebe. The observed Western Bluebirds multiple times along the road to the reservoir. At Lytle Ranch they saw Phainopepla, Red-tailed Hawk, Bell's Vireo, Summer Tanager, Black Phoebe, Lucy's Warbler, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird and Verdin. At Cedar Pockets Campground they saw Ash-throated Flycatcher, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren and a Cactus Wren. Along the Beaver Dam Wash they reported a Yellow Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler. At the confluence near Bluff Street in St. George they saw a Black Phoebe, a Roadrunner, Gambel's Quail and Bullock's Oriole. 04/25 — Kris Purdy birding the Kolob Canyons area of Zion National Park reported observing Black-throated Gray, Virginia's, Orange-crowned, and Yellow-rumped Warblers; Ruby-crowned Kinglets; Plumbeous Vireo; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's; Spotted Towhees; a Juniper Titmouse and Western Scrub Jays. At the switch back called Lee Pass (not Lee Pass Trailhead), she observed White-throated Swifts, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, Black-capped Chickadees, Canyon Wrens, Mountain Chickadees and a pair of Golden Eagles. 04/23 — Kris Purdy observed Red-necked and Wilson Phalaropes at the Sewage Ponds. On 4/24, at Lytle Ranch she observed Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's, Common Black Hawk, Bell's Vireo, Roadrunner and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Additionally, three Lessor Nighthawks were seen for the first time this year at Sun River. 04/22 — Kris Purdy observed a Pacific Loon at Quail Creek Reservoir on Thursday and Friday. The loon was around the dam in the company of several Common Loons. The Pacific Loon has developed the pale gray nape, but still sported a white chin, white throat, and black "strap" under the chin. 04/23 — Rick and Kristen Fridell birding at Sand Hollow State Park reported four Black-bellied Plovers in breeding plumage, two Sanderlings, 15 Western Sandpipers, 250–300 Marbled Godwits, 3 American Avocets, 9 White-faced Ibis, 4 Caspian Terns, 3 Forster's Terns, 12 Franklin's Gulls, ~25 Cal. Gulls, and 20 Ring-billed Gulls. 04/14 — Bob and Georgene Bond reported a Painted Redstart in a slightly different location in Zion Canyon. A singing bird was seen about 50 feet before a road sign that said "Slow, 15 mph," in the middle of the last curve at the upper end of the main canyon road. The bird was singing in the top of a tree on the up hill side of the road against a vertical wall with a small seep. This is exactly where they saw a Painted Redstart two years ago. 04/18 — Charlie Sheard birding with many members of the Utah Audubon Council reported on the Red Cliff's field trip Saturday, April 17. The destination was the popular Lytle Ranch, a lush riparian area along the Beaver Dam wash located in the corner of southwestern Utah. Lytle Ranch has recently been nominated as an Important Bird Area. They recorded 53 species of birds: Canada Goose, Mallard, Gambel's Quail, American White Pelican, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Common Black Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Killdeer, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, White-throated Swift, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Violet-Green Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. 04/18 — Charlie Sheard reported a White-throated Sparrow at the Tonequint Nature Center. The bird reappeared several times (once on the Nature Center deck) and was also heard singing. 04/17 — Carol Nelson birding at Lytle Ranch reported that the Common Black Hawks are again in residence there. They are in the cottonwoods in the center of the wash at the point where the stand of trees start to thicken, not too far south from the monument. Carol also saw a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. She reported a Hooded Oriole has also made it back to the palms on the south side of Red Hills Golf Course. 04/13 — Simone Whitecloud and David Lukas observed a Painted Redstart while hiking down from Weeping Rock in Zion National Park. It was a singing male which they observed for 20 minutes. 04/08 — Kristen and Rick Fridell birding at Sand Hollow State Park reported a Black-bellied Plover, Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet, Long-billed Curlew, Willet, and a Caspian Tern. At the SR-9 (Hurricane) Sewage Ponds they saw a drake Blue-winged Teal (and many other species of ducks) and a mixed flock of gulls including Ring-billed, Franklin's, and Bonaparte's. 04/03 — Carol Davis birding at Washington Fields observed Violet-green Swallow, Turkey Vulture, Song Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow. At Silver Reef, Oak Grove campgrounds she observed Say's Phoebe, Spotted Towhee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's, Bushtits, Scrub Jays, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a Bewick's Wren. Halfway to Oak Grove she reported a Black-chinned Sparrow. At Red Cliffs Campground Say's Phoebes and Black phoebes, Rock Wren and a Lesser Goldfinch. In Harrisburg a Verdin was observed. 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 |
