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Modified
Saturday, October 9, 2004
Archived bird sightings: September, 2004 Return to main bird sightings page Compiled by Bill Fenimore Box Elder County 09/06 — Joel and Kathy Beyer reported birding Whites Valley and observing Sharp-tailed Grouse near the end of the road at the twin silos. They also saw a Burrowing Owl by its nest hole. The owl was sitting atop the large wooden beams piled beside the silo road. The nest hole was in the mound of dirt piled behind the beams, where that road branches off from the main road. They also reported seeing the White-winged Dove sitting in the road about 1/2 mile east of the entrance to Bear River Refuge, previously reported by Paul Higgins. 09/05 — Paul Higgins observed a photographed a White-winged Dove at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge along the road side feeding on sunflowers, approximately one mile East of the maintenance shed. Cache County 09/25 — Stephen Peterson filed a filed trip report sponsored by Bridgerland Audubon Society during its annual trek to the top of Hawk Watch Ridge in the Wellsville Mountains. On the hike up the mountain the group observed: Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Black-capped and Mt. Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Warbling Vireo and Hermit Thrush. At the Ridge summit Mark Fogg, Rob Spaul and Anthony Sandoval, this season's volunteers for Hawk Watch, reported that they had recorded 2 Broad-winged Hawks on Friday, 9/24. The majority of birds being seeing were coming from their breeding grounds in British Columbia. During the time the Bridgerland Audubon group was there they observed Sharp-shinned Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Golden Eagle, American Kestrel and Common Raven. Here is a list of what the Hawk Watch team has recorded from August 22, 2004, to September 24, 2004: Sharp–shinned Hawk – 237, Coopers Hawk – 133, Northern Goshawk – 10, Red–tailed Hawk – 261, Swainson's Hawk – 46, Ferruginous Hawk – 4, Broad–winged Hawk – 2 (9–24–04), American Kestrel – 371, Turkey Vulture – 4, Golden Eagle – 59, Bald Eagle – 5, Peregrine Falcon – 10, Prairie Falcon – 13, Merlin – 4, Northern Harrier – 80, Osprey – 15, Davis County 09/25 — Brad Wahlin birding at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area saw a Black Tern at the boat launch area at the South end of the West dike. 09/04 — Stephen Peterson, birding in Blacksmith Fork Canyon in Cache Valley, reported observing the following birds: 2 Juvenile Golden Eagles, Belted Kingfisher, Gray Catbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, American Dipper, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Clarks Nutcracker, Townsend's Solitaire Davis County 09/30 — Kris Purdy, birding at Fielding-garr Ranch on Antelope Island reported observing the following birds: Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Virginia Rail, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Black-billed Magpie, Common Raven, Barn Swallow, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Vesper, Lark, Song, Lincoln's, and White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Red-necked Phalarope (at the Marina) 09/26 — Joel and Kathy Beyer birding Antelope Island observed a juvenile Sabine's Gull on the Causeway. It was directly north of the first bridge west of the entrance station. It was in company with hundreds of other gulls (Ring-billed, California, Franklin's) as well as Dowitcher's, Godwits, avocets and a couple of Sanderlings. At Fielding-Garr Ranch were Townsend's Warblers, Cassin's Vireos, a Merlin and a Northern Shrike. At Farmington Bay they saw a Horned Grebe in the pond at the end of Glover Lane. 09/20 — Kris Purdy birding Antelope Island Causeway reported observing five Black-bellied Plovers. One of the plovers still had One black feather along a flank and that was all. A couple of them appeared to be juveniles with extensive fine spotting on their backs and on folded wings. The young ones also showed a faint washed-out buffy cast to their finely streaked breasts. The group was feeding on the north side of the causeway just west of the bend between mile marker 4 and 3. They were just 50 feet or so off the muddy strip at the base of the rocks that form the causeway. Additionally, Kris reported Western Sandpipers, Least Sandpiper, Dowitcher sp., Snowy Plover and Long-billed Curlews. A Peregrine Falcon was hanging out on flats on the north side of the causeway around mile marker 5. 09/11 — Bill Fenimore, leading the Layton Wild Bird Center Saturday morning bird walk to Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area reported observing a pair of Great Egrets, Caspian and Least Terns, along with a host of the usual suspects. 09/08 — Jim Bailey, birding at Fielding-garr ranch on Antelope Island reported observing Cassin's Vireo, Northern Waterthrush, Townsend's Warbler, and Virginia Rail. 09/03 — LaNita Larsen & Amy Owen birding at Fielding-Garr Ranch on Antelope Island observed Wilson's, MacGillivray's and several Townsend Warblers. Of special interest was a Northern Waterthrush that they saw along the fence line just north of the spring area. 09/04 — Jack Binch birding on Antelope Island reported observing Snowy Plovers at the water you reach on the south side of the causeway, Short-eared Owl and Burrowing Owl around mile post 4. At Fielding-Garr Ranch he observed: Northern Waterthrush, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Cassin's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Willow Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Western Wood Peewee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, Green-tailed Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Tanager , House Wren, Lazuli Bunting, Utah County 09/04 — KC Childs reported that a Yellow-throated Warbler has been observed at River Lane, just past the cattle guard. 09/03 — Kris Purdy birding the Antelope Island causeway observed the following birds: Shorebirds at mile 6.5 on the north side of the causeway. Water lay extensively over the mud flats and although not deep, the birds didn't care. The south side also had puddles from about mile 6 to mile 5 and shorebirds made the best of that, too. Seventeen species of shorebirds populated the causeway or the marina. Four species of plovers used the "new" water between mile 6.5 and 5. The collection included several Semipalmated Plovers north of mile 6.5, Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover at about the same spot and three more were south of mm 5. All four Black-bellied Plovers were in transitional plumage, but still sported black bellies and white under tail coverts. About 15 Snowy Plovers were running in the muck between miles 6 and 5. In the same general area north of the causeway Kris saw many Baird's Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers, Sanderlings, two Least Sandpipers, and on the way back, a Semipalmated Sandpiper with seven or eight Bairds. Two Spotted Sandpipers along the channel at the 'No Swimming' bridge west of mm 5. Approximately a dozen Long-billed Curlews and one Willet were scattered south of mile 2 to 1, and American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts were seen throughout. Both Red-necked and Wilson's Phalaropes mixed liberally with the Eared Grebes south and west of mile 1. A Solitary Sandpiper poked through the puddles in the gravel north of the marina and west of that big silver boat that sits on the gravel. Juab County 09/18 — Jack Binch reported on the Field Trip by the Salt Lake County Birders to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge looking for warblers. The group saw a Chestnut-sided Warbler in the trees just before you enter the private homes (ask for permission to bird in this vicinity). Others birds seen were: American Coot, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Say's Phoebe, White-crowned Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Red-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Downy Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, Red-tailed Hawk, Western Kingbird, Cassin's Finch, Pine Siskin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cedar Waxwing - Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Tanager, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Robin, Brewer's Blackbird, Common Raven, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Horned Lark, Red-necked Phalarope, Meadow Lark, Northern Harrier, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Prairie Falcon, Great Blue Heron, Barn Swallow, Savannah Sparrow, White-faced Ibis, Snowy Egret, Forster's Tern -Spotted Sandpiper, Sage Thrasher, American Goldfinch. Summit County 09/04 — Tim Gorman and Jim LaRue spent 4 days this past Labor Day weekend up in the top of the Henry's Fork Drainage in the High Uintah's Wilderness. Highlights of the trip were a Great Blue Heron at 10,800' elevation, a vireo, and many Black Rosy-Finches. Other birds observed were:, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Goshawk, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Common Snipe, Red-necked Phalarope, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Plumbeous Vireo, Gray Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Mountain Chickadee, American Dipper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Robin, American Pipit, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco, Black Rosy-F Uintah County 09/23 — Diane Penttila, wildlife biologist at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge reported the General Water bird Survey. The following birds were seen within the survey route: Canada Geese: 937, Mallard: 9, Gadwall: 31, Northern Shoveler: 4, Green-winged Teal: 196, Cinnamon Teal: 23, Pintail: 7, American Coot: 19, Pied-billed Grebe: 5, Western Grebe: 1, Great Blue Heron: 3, Snowy Egret: 3, White-faced Ibis: 1, Sandhill Crane: 65, American Bittern: 1, Killdeer: 5, Lesser Yellowlegs: 4, Least Sandpiper: 4, Dowitcher: 10, Pectoral Sandpiper: 25, Black-bellied Plover: 1, Ring-billed Gull: 8, Turkey Vulture: 12, American Kestrel: 1, Northern Harrier: 1, Peregrine Falcon: 1 09/09 — Diane Penttila, Wildlife Biologist at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge conducted the General Water Bird Survey and reported the following conditions and birds observations: not much water remains on the Refuge. We have been pumping into 2 units hoping to maintain some water in at least those two for the fall. The following birds were seen within the survey route: Canada geese 113, Mallard 31, Gadwall 73, Northern shoveler 18, American wigeon 1, Green-winged teal 63, Cinnamon teal 2, Teal 29, Wood duck 6, Ruddy duck 4, American coot 37, Pied-billed grebe 8, Western Grebe 3, Great blue heron 5, Snowy egret 8, Double-crested cormorant 5, American white pelican 11, White-faced ibis 3, Sandhill crane 11, Killdeer 13, American Avocet 6, Lesser yellowlegs 9, Greater yellowlegs 1, Least sandpiper 9, Ring-billed gull 29, Turkey vulture 9, American kestrel 9, Bald Eagle 1, Red-tailed hawk 1, Northern harrier 2 Utah County 09/29 — Eric Huish observed a Yellow-throated Vireo along the Provo River Parkway trail about two blocks up stream from the parking lot by Utah Lake State Park. Milt Moody also saw it. To get there, go west on Center Street in Provo, until you cross the bridge over the Provo River. Turn right (north) just before the entrance to the Utah Lake State Park and go about 100 feet and turn right, into a small parking lot which connects to the Provo River Parkway trail. As you walk the trail you will pass a large pipe arching over the river, then a smaller pipe with gushing water, then a green bench near an "Adopt a Trail" sign and you will then come to a big pipe gushing water. The bird has been seen a little upstream and downstream from this "gushing pipe." 09/22 — Eric Huish birding in Battle Creek Canyon (Pleasant Grove) reported observing: Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, Macgillivray's, Wilson's, Virginia's, and Orange-crowned Warblers, Spotted and Green-tailed Towhees, Canyon Wrens, a Plumbeous Vireo and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Other birds of interest included a Golden Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker and a Red-naped Sapsucker. Eric heard Chukar and saw a Western Screech-owl in its tree hole. 09/18 — Milt Moody reported on the Field Trip by the Utah County birders. Birds observed and locations were: at Utah Lake State Park, Pectoral Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plover, both species of Yellowlegs. Along 2600 W. on the way to River Lane were Peregrine Falcons and Sandhill Cranes. 09/12 — Brad Wahlin, observed the White Ibis in the same area as was reported yesterday. Take I-15 to exit 263 (Springville) and head west to 2600 W. and turn left. The bird is with 100 to 150 White-faced Ibis on the west side of the road. It is only about 20 yards from the road, affording great views and photo opportunities. 09/11 — Dave Hanscom birding the River Lane vicinity observed a White Ibis in a field across from State Rt. 77. Dave was traveling back to I-15 from River Lane when he saw the bird with a group of White-faced Ibis, across Sr 77 from the road to the airport. Jack Binch and Kent Lewis were with Dave and confirmed the sighting. Pomera Fronce later observed the White Ibis too. Directions: Take Exit 263 (Springville) from I-15 and go west. Go to 2600 W. (the second road after the frontage road) and turn north. The ibis was in the field to the west with a large number of White-faced Ibis. Eric Huish observed the White Ibis between 6:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. The flock of White-faced Ibis and the White Ibis took off to roost for the evening, heading northwest towards Provo Bay where it disappeared on the horizon. 09/09 — Matt Williams reported that the Yellow-throated Warbler previously reported is still present at the River Lane area of the Lower Spanish Fork River. Other warblers seen at River Lane included Wilson's, Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Townsend's and Virginia's. Dozens of Common Nighthawks seen in flight and perched in trees. Swallows included Barn, Bank, Rough-winged and a Violet Green. Northern Harrier, Hammond's, Dusky Flycatcher and Pheasants, with an Eurasian Collared Dove perched near the old barn along River Lane. 09/07 — Milt Moody observed a Red-eyed Vireo at the lower Spanish Fork River at River Lane. 09/06 — Sid Westerman observed a Red-eyed Vireo in Goshen Canyon where the stream crosses the road on the North side. Other birds that Sid reported while birding Goshen Canyon were Cassin's Vireo, Wilson's, Townsend and Nashville Warblers; Cordilleran Flycatcher, Western Wood Pewee and Dusky Flycatcher; Rock Wren, Bush tit, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 09/05 — Tuula Rose reported that the Yellow-throated Warbler previously reported was seen again today by a group of birders at the lower Spanish Fork River at River Lane. Dana Green and Julie VanMoorhem found the warbler at the end of the road close to the lake. Pomera Fronce, Lou Giddins and Joel and Kathy Beyer were also able to confirm the sighting of an uncommon eastern warbler occurring here. Washington County 09/27 — Rick Fridell reported a Greater White-fronted Goose and a Green heron at the Springs Estate Pond. 09/26 — Larry Tripp birding at Lytle Ranch reported observing 2 Clay-colored Sparrows with a good sized group of sparrows in the new patch of pomegranates just past the orchard. The sparrow flock was primarily Chipping Sparrows with some Brewer's Sparrows, a first year Lark Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrows. 09/26 — Jack Binch birding in the St. George area this weekend reported seeing a Blue-headed Vireo at the entrance gate to Lytle Ranch; Least Flycatcher at the Santa Clara River below Gunlock Reservoir; Green Heron at Confluence Park in St. George; Merlin & Crissal Thrasher at Tonaquint Park; Black-throated Sparrow at Springdale; Acorn Woodpecker x 2 at Boulder and Western Bluebird near Grover. 09/22 — Charlie Sheard reported observing two Sabine's Gulls at Quail Lake, with Rick Fridell, and Kevin Wheeler. The gulls appeared to be adults with gray backs, white tails and heads in winter plumage. They also saw one or more Common Terns. 09/07 — Rick Fridell observed a mixed flock of 7 Common Terns and 5 Forster's Terns at Quail Creek State Park. Rick also saw an early immature Bald Eagle at the reservoir. 09/04 — Larry Tripp observed an immature Bald Eagle at Gunlock State Park. Rick Fridell and Larry saw another fly over St. George. 09/04 — Larry Tripp and Rick Fridell birding around St. George reported many warbler, tanager, oriole and empid flycatchers staging for the fall migration. At Lytle Ranch an Eastern Phoebe was observed in the orchard. Weber County 10/07 — Bill Fenimore reported Wild Turkeys along Ut Hwy. 39, North from Huntsville, along the West side of the highway, just before the entrance into the canyon. Blue and Ruff Grouse were seen in the Monte Cristo area, as well as a Northern Goshawk and a Northern Pygmy Owl. 09/29 — Terry Vanbuskirk and Gracia Roemer saw and photographed Common Poorwill's sitting on an infrequently traveled dirt road, around 1:30 a.m. at Snow Basin. 09/11 — Kris Purdy reported that the Lewis's Woodpecker she has observed in past season has arrived for the fall/winter season. It perches on a power pole at the corner of Shadow Valley Drive and Fillmore Ave in Ogden. This pole served as the winter pantry of a Lewis's Woodpecker until mid May, and then the bird was gone for the summer. A Lewis's also spent the winter of 2002-2003 in the same vicinity. Take Hwy. 89 north into South Ogden to the traffic light at Shadow Valley Dr., turn east (right) until reaching Fillmore Ave. in Ogden. 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 |
