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Modified
Monday, September 13, 2004
Archived bird sightings: August, 2004 Return to main bird sightings page Compiled by Bill Fenimore Box Elder County 08/23 — Kris Purdy birding at Willard Bay State Park observed two different Northern Waterthrush. Both birds were in Willow Campground. She heard the first, but did not see it, along the eastern edge of the pond that's north of campsites 4, 5, and 6. Kris heard and saw the second waterthrush flying and foraging along the small wooded stream adjacent to and east of campsites 31, 33, and 34. Waterthrush #2's pale plumage is a bit yellowish instead of being white. Kris reported that a phenomenal numbers of Wilson's Warblers, Warbling Vireos, and Yellow Warblers are passing through the park right now. In addition, Kris saw at least a dozen Gray Catbirds, a Virginia's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warblers, Eastern Kingbirds, Western Wood Pewees, and a Yellow-breasted Chat. Shorebird species included Marbled Godwits, many Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. The number of Western and Clark's Grebes stretches as far as the eye can see. The North entrance to Willard Bay SP is located at exit 360 of I-15. 08/22 — Jack Binch, birding at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge reported observing an American Bittern at the West end of the North Auto Tour Road by the canal. 08/17 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge submitted the following conditions and bird count: The duck count for this time of the year is the lowest on record (1991-2003) while the shorebird numbers are about 3 times lower than the long-term average reflecting just how dry our wetland units are. The season is progressing — the duck broods are growing to flight stage; the Western/Clark's Grebe are too big to hitch rides; the majority of the American Avocets have faded to winter plumage; Franklin's Gulls have lost their solid black "hoods" and orange bill color; the Spotted Sandpipers are losing their "spots;" the Canada Geese are done molting and can fly again; and a wave of juvenile Baird's sandpipers have arrived. Notable birds for this count: Black-bellied Plover and Black Tern both on the Tour Loop wetland unit (2D). Seventy percent of the birds counted were observed from units around the Tour Loop. As of today (8/17/04) the Tour Loop wetland unit is now about 60 percent dry. Still a great place to observe large numbers of Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, White-faced Ibis, Black Tern and tight groups of feeding Franklin's Gulls along with 1000s of White-faced Ibis. Canada Goose, 1,519; Mallard, 1,938; N. Pintail, 2,095; Green-winged Teal, 552; Cinnamon Teal, 833; Northern Shoveler, 1,995; Gadwall, 1,697; A. Wigeon, 690; Redhead, 1,012; Lesser Scaup, 1; Ruddy Duck, 925; Pied-billed Grebe, 62; Eared Grebe, 410; Western Grebe, 115; Clark's Grebe, 73; American White Pelican, 845; DC Cormorant, 251; Great Blue Heron, 99; Great Egret, 9; Snowy Egret, 956; Black-crowned Night Heron, 46; White-faced Ibis, 13,254; Black-bellied Plover, 2; Snowy Plover, 17; Killdeer, 106; Black-necked Stilt, 12,105; American Avocet, 5,755; Spotted Sandpiper, 46; Solitary Sandpiper, 3; Greater Yellowlegs, 20; Lesser Yellowlegs, 101; Long-billed Curlew, 29; Marbled Godwit, 1,102; Western Sandpiper, 1,050; Least Sandpiper, 1; Peep, 1; Baird's Sandpiper, 90; Dowitcher spp. 2,203; Red-necked Phalarope, 37; Wilson's Phalarope, 939; Franklin's Gull, 5,266; Ring-billed Gull, 27; California Gull, 4,007; Caspian Tern, 2; Forster's Tern, 33; Black Tern, 790; Virginia Rail, 4; Sora, 1; Coot, 8,928; Sandhill Crane, 4; Turkey Vulture, 1; Northern Harrier, 4; Swainson's Hawk, 1; Peregrine Falcon, 1 08/16 — Alan Condie birding at Bear River Wildlife Refuge observed four juvenile Virginian Rails persistently feeding in the open in a puddle just left of the small bridge on the North dike road portion of the auto-tour road. The location is exactly 1.6 miles from the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge welcome sign. 08/09 — The Salt Lake Birders went to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and observed Sora Rail, Virginia Rail, the rails were feeding together in the open in a canal on the South side of the North dike. American Bittern, Peregrine Falcon, along the North dike, Stilt Sandpiper one adult was mixed in with a flock of ~500 shorebirds which included Dowitcher's, phalaropes and both yellowlegs in the main unit (viewed from the North dike). Snowy Plover, Least Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper and Long-billed Curlew in the canal to the east of the East dike. 08/05 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (BRMBR) filed the following report of conditions and birds being observed at BRMBR: Inflows into the Refuge are currently not enough to sustain our two high priority units much less all 26 units. In other words the units are either dry or drying! The tour loop unit will likely dry up in the next week or so. The good news is that is the most Curlews I've ever seen. Count from last Friday: Canada Goose: 1,379, Mallard: 1,590, Northern Pintail: 1,917, Green-winged Teal: 1,839, Cinnamon Teal: 501, Northern Shoveler: 1,237, Gadwall: 818, Canvasback: 285, Redhead: 255, Ruddy Duck: 493, Pied-billed Grebe: 37, Eared Grebe: 408, Western Grebe: 88, Clark's Grebe: 73, American White Pelican: 1,337, DC Cormorant: 396, Great Blue Heron: 99, Great Egret: 25, Snowy Egret: 466, BC Night Heron: 32, White-faced Ibis: 1,128, Snowy Plover: 1, Killdeer: 131, Black-necked Stilt: 5,552, American Avocet: 4,138, Willet: 18, Spotted Sandpiper: 19, Solitary Sandpiper: 2, Greater Yellowlegs: 18, Lesser Yellowlegs: 79, Long-billed Curlew: 66, Marbled Godwit: 4,755, Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1, Least Sandpiper: 143, Western Sandpiper: 1,580, Peep: 62, Baird's Sandpiper: 40, Dowitcher spp. 305, Common Snipe: 1, Wilson's Phalarope: 1,044, Franklin's Gull: 3,423, Ring-billed Gull: 82, California Gull: 1,105, Caspian Tern: 3, Forster's Tern: 182, Sora: 2, Coot: 8,960, Sandhill Crane: 4, Turkey vulture: 10, Northern Harrier: 1, Peregrine Falcon: 1 Cache County 08/29 — Richard Wood birding at Hyrum State Park saw a Red-eyed Vireo near the beach. 08/12 — Leslie Loeffel saw a pair of three-toed woodpeckers at the Monte Cristo Campground (at the top of Monte Cristo, above Ogden Valley). The woodpeckers were working a dead tree on Loop D, near the flush restrooms. Davis County 08/30 — Pomera Fronce reported observing the Ruddy Turnstone, originally reported by Joel and Kathy Beyer. The Turnstone is an immature and was still on the South side of the causeway almost directly across from the weather station on a little point of rocks. 08/29 — Joel and Kathy Beyer reported a juvenile Ruddy Turnstone along the Antelope Island Causeway. It was on the south side, exactly three tenths of a mile east of the one-mile marker (or about 50 yards east of the weather station), in company with stilts, curlews, phalaropes and a Willet. 08/29 — Carol Davis birding at Antelope Island reported Wilson's Snipe along the road and in the immediate field to the North at the entrance to the causeway. On the way to the ranch they saw Willet's, Lark Sparrows, Brewer's Sparrows, and a Northern Harrier, a Barn Owl, Say's Phoebe, Nashville Warblers, Willow Glycatchers, a Rufous Hummingbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Western Tanager, Wilson's Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Green-tailed Towhees, Cassin's Vireo at the ranch. The Sommerfeld's birding the same area saw a Townsend's Warbler. As we were leaving the island there was a Horned Grebe in the water on the west side of the first bridge. On the causeway were six Long-billed Curlews. 08/24 — Jim McIntyre and Kris Purdy birding at Farmington Bay today reported large numbers of Black Terns. They also saw Forster's and Caspian Terns. One odd sighting was that of a a partially leucistic Horned Grebe. It was on the North side of the dike, 1.5 miles west of the Turpin Unit gate. The bird's feathers were mostly white with small black blotchy marks on the feathers of the back and sides. Instead of a rufous neck, the grebe sported a pale, washed-out orange neck. The usual golden head stripes were the palest yellow, and the only real black on the head feathers was on the lower tips of the "helmet" on either side of the bird's neck. Despite this odd coloration, the bird's eyes were still red, as was the line that runs from the eye below the lore's to the beak. The beak itself and the feet were both generally dark gray/black. They flushed a Short-eared Owl along Turpin Unit and a Great Egret was seen in the open water of Turpin Unit, both birds were 3.7 miles west of the Turpin gate. Shorebird sightings included Killdeer, Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet's, Spotted Sandpipers, a Long-billed Curlew, a Long-billed Dowitcher, a Wilson's Snipe, bunches of Wilson's Phalaropes, Black-crowned Night-herons, Sora's, and Eastern Kingbirds. 08/09 — The Salt Lake birders went to Antelope Island Causeway and reported observing Semipalmated Plover — 2 on the far western side (across from the marina) of the causeway on the South side; Baird's Sandpiper — 3 — north side; Sanderling — 4 — north side; Long-billed Curlew — 2 adults — on the North side. Duchesne County 08/28 — Brian Currie birding the trail head beginning at Mirror Lake at the far left corner as you enter the parking lot for the trailhead reported observing a Three-toed Woodpecker female with a young bird in tow. Brian took photos which you can review at http://www.pbase.com/image/33127!%20735. In this same area Brian also saw: Wilson's Warbler, Mountain Chickadee, Hairy Woodpecker (male) and Brown Creeper. Continuing up the trail, past the pond he observed: Hermit Thrush, Clark's Nutcracker, Hairy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed race) and Gray Jay. Juab County 08/28 — KC Childs reported on a birding trip made by a Provo group beginning at Burrstin Ponds near the town of Mona. They observed Blue Grosbeaks, American Redstart, Nashville Warbler and a Sora Rail. Salt Lake County 08/27 — Jim Bailey observed a pair of Great-tailed Grackles at Lee Kay Ponds on one of the islands. 08/07 — Colby Neuman and Tim Avery, did a Big Day within Salt Lake County and observed 101 species. The high lights were: Snowy Plover — 1 — to the west of the road going between Saltair and the marina at the second turnoff. Peregrine Falcon — 1 chasing a Swainson's Hawk just to the south of the Lee Kay Ponds. Black Tern — 1 — at the ponds next to Saltair. Olive-sided Flycatcher — several birds still calling on the Twin Lakes/Lake Solitude Trail. White-breasted Nuthatch — a total of three between Twin Lakes and Lake Solitude. White-winged Crossbill — several mixed in with a flock of Red Crossbill's at the start of the Silver Lake trail. Uintah County 08/28 — Clay and Cliftia Johnson reported two Eurasian Collared Doves on the power lines along the west side of the road to Dinosaur National Monument, one-tenth of a mile north of Jensen. 08/26 — Diane Penttila, Biologist at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge reported the following bird observations during the General Water Bird Survey: Mallard, 58; Gadwall, 102; Northern shoveler, 3; Green-winged teal, 116; Cinnamon teal, 96; Teal, 242; Northern Pintail, 1; Ruddy duck, 6; American coot, 81; Pied-billed grebe, 4; Western Grebe, 3; Great blue heron, 18; Snowy egret, 15; Great egret, 1; Black-crowned night heron, 1; Double-crested cormorant, 1; American white pelican, 153; White-faced ibis, 5; American bittern, 1; Killdeer, 34; American Avocet, 10; Black-necked stilt, 1; Lesser yellowlegs, 49; Greater yellowlegs, 4; Yellowlegs, 55; Pectoral sandpiper, 2; Western sandpiper, 75; Semipalmated sandpiper, 10; Red-necked phalarope, 5; Dowitcher's, 26; Dunlin, 1; Ring-billed gull, 18; Turkey vulture, 7; American kestrel, 5; Bald Eagle 1 08/10 — Diane Penttila, Biologist at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge reported the following: Water is being pumped into one unit (which is leaking into another unit) and have run water into the shallow ponds; trying to maintain at least some water into the fall migration. Starting to see other critters that have been somewhat secretive all summer: several turkeys with broods, a nice buck, a doe with twins. The following birds were seen within the survey route: Canada geese: 6, Mallard: 140, Gadwall: 136, Northern shoveler: 4, Green-winged teal: 20, Cinnamon teal: 68, Blue-winged teal: 7, Teal: 175, Redhead: 5, Ruddy duck: 17, American coot: 232, Pied-billed grebe: 10, Clark's grebe: 2, Great blue heron: 22, Snowy egret: 31, Great egret: 1, Black-crowned Night Heron: 6, Double-crested Cormorant: 19, American white pelican: 323, White-faced ibis: 22, American bittern: 1, Killdeer: 68, American Avocet: 4, Black-necked stilt: 43, Lesser yellowlegs: 47, Greater yellowlegs: 1, Solitary sandpiper: 1, Least sandpiper: 1, Spotted sandpiper: 6, Western sandpiper: 21, Wilson's phalarope: 14, Dowitcher's: 57, Ring-billed gull: 1, Forster's tern: 7, Turkey vulture: 18, American kestrel: 4, Red-tailed hawk: 1 Utah County 08/28 — KC Childs reported on a birding trip made by a Provo group to Goshen Canyon where they observed Clark's Nutcracker, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Western Wood Peewee. At LeBarron Lincoln Point and Lincoln Beach they saw Marbled Godwit, Semi-palmated Plover, Baird's Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper. 08/22 — Tuula Rose birding at River Lane observed 11 Warbler Species as follows: Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Orange-crowned, Wilson's, Virginia's, Nashville, Townsend's, Black-throated gray, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart (male and female), Black & White. Most of the Warblers were located right after the cattle guard on the right (North) side of River Lane. They were always close to the chickadees. Additionally she observed Plumbeous, Cassins and Warbling Vireos. Directions for River Lane: Take exit 263 (Springville) from I-15, and head west for about 4.5 miles to a "T" in the road. Turn right and go to the next road about a block away just before the road crosses the Spanish Fork River, and turn right onto River Lane. 08/21 — Merrill Webb reported observing a Zone-tailed Hawk by Utah Lake State Park in Provo. He saw it flying from the big willows along the dirt road that goes left just before the bridge (the airport dike road). It would fly to the field with bailed hay and fly back to the trees again. 08/20 — KC Childs birding at Utah Lake State Park observed Semipalmated Plover, Baird's Sandpiper, Western and Least Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs. At the Provo River Oxbow KC, saw the American Redstart (previously reported), Western Wood Peewee and Cordilleran Flycatcher. 08/14 — Tulla Rose observed an American Redstart on the Provo River walkway at the Oxbow. Tulla reported that it was a male in beautiful mature adult plumage. To reach the area of the sightings take Exit 268 off I-15 in Provo and go approximately 2 miles west toward Utah Lake State Park. Turn right just before you get to the fee station for the state park, and take the next right onto Boat Harbor Road. Travel approximately one mile to the parking lot next to the road. Take the trail up stream for about 100 feet where the trail forks. Take the left fork which goes around the oxbow for another 50 feet. The bird was seen by the flowing water pipe in the willow thicket and in a cottonwood tree that hangs over the trail. 08/01 — Joel and Kathy Beyer saw a male Indigo Bunting on River Lane. 08/01 — Milt Moody reported observing an Indigo Bunting on the dirt section of River Lane about 50 yards before you get to the cattle guard. The bird was in the willow trees along the river. Wasatch County 08/01 — Joel and Kathy Beyer observed a Red-eyed Vireo at the Jordanelle Wetlands. It was seen at the extreme north end of the boardwalk. Washington County 08/31 — Lee Jones reported observing an Acorn Woodpecker while birding near the Lamoreaux Ranch. Lee was headed to Kolob Reservoir and the Lava Point area of Zion. Just before you get to the Lamoreaux Ranch Cabin there is a large, old pine tree, about 70 feet west of the road. At the base of the tree is a small water catchment pond (actually a mud hole). The area around the tree was very active with bird life, including some Lewis Woodpeckers and a lone Acorn Woodpecker. The tree where the bird was seen is 1.5 miles down the canyon from the Lamoreaux Cabin, or about two miles up the canyon from the parking lot of the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead next to Pine Valley Peak. (Lamoreaux Cabin is about 1.5 miles down canyon from Blue Springs Reservoir) 08/29 — Pomera Fronce and Julie Van Moorhem birding the St. George area this weekend reported seeing California Condor with Frank Nebenburgh of the Peregrine Fund. He was tracking the condors with Radio Telemetry. There were nine Condors in the vicinity of Kolob Reservoir. At the North end of Kolob Road beyond the reservoir where the road forks and the left fork goes to Cedar City Frank located a condor to the West. It flew up high enough to get great looks of the white markings on the under side of the wing. About one half to one mile below the reservoir they found a group of Turkey Vultures with two Zone-tailed Hawks. Other highlights of the trip included a Green Heron at South Gate Golf Course; a Greater Roadrunner, Northern Goshawk, Pinyon Jays and Wild Turkey on the road to Oak Grove Campground; Blue Grosbeak, Common Black Hawk, and Bell's Vireo at Lytle Preserve. 08/28 — Larry Tripp birding at Pine Valley observed Hermit, Townsend's, Black-throated Gray and Yellow-rumped Warblers mixed in with, Pygmy Nuthatch and Black-capped Chickadees. There was also a Northern Goshawk. 08/27 — At Lytle Ranch Larry Tripp reported an American Redstart (first fall male) near the parking area. 08/22 — Denise Blyn reported on a birding trip with friends in the St. George area at Springs Park they saw: black phoebe, roadrunner, northern harrier, mourning dove and Gambel's Quail. At Washington Fields the group observed: red-tailed hawk, kestrel, burrowing owls, northern rough-winged swallow, rock wren, loggerhead shrike, killdeer, white-faced ibis and barn swallows. In one of the freshly cut fields, there were 1000s of desert swallow butterflies and at least 50 or more barn swallows swooping down to catch them. 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 |
