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Modified
Monday, March 14, 2005
Archived bird sightings: February, 2005 Return to main bird sightings page Compiled by Bill Fenimore Beaver 02/06 — Kevin Wheeler and David Breinholt birding at Minersville Reservoir observed 300 snow geese. There were a several blue phase snow geese with them. Box Elder 02/28 — Bridget Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge reported the following birds and conditions: Spring has apparently sprung for some birds. Pelicans, Avocets, Killdeer, and Double-crested Cormorants are here. Don't have a February record for Pelicans or Avocet in recent years nor the 1956-1966 time period. The cormorants look to be egg-laying/incubating as they're sitting on nests on islands in the interior portion of the Refuge. The local breeding California Gulls seem to have returned also. They look to be staking out territories on the interior islands also. Duck numbers are up around 75,000. The only other recent record to compare to was from 2003 at 30,000 birds. The 1956-1966 average for the last week of February was 25,000 ducks. The tour loop unit (2D) held the most birds around 21,000 total. 2D also held about as many Tundra Swan as did Willard Spur. Northern Pintails accounted for about 35% of all the ducks counted. Songbirds noted: Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, marsh wren, tree sparrows and song sparrows. I've heard reports of Snow Geese in the vicinity of the Refuge also, they just didn't show up during my count. Tundra Swan, 4,691; Canada Goose, 900; Mallard, 6,547; Pintail, 25,372; Gw Teal, 7,714; Shoveler, 6,007; Gadwall, 7,045; Wigeon, 7,938; Unk. dabblers, 500; Canvasback, 1,171; Redhead, 3,853; Scaup Spp., 537; C. Goldeneye, 7,110; Bufflehead, 585; C. Merganser, 11; A.W. Pelican, 24; DC Cormorant, 66; Great Blue Heron, 8; Killdeer, 8; Am. Avocet, 8; Rb Gull, 303; Ca Gull, 474; Coot, 118; Bald Eagle, 14; Northern Harrier, 27; Rough-legged Hawk, 1 Cache County 02/27 — Reinhard Jockel and Buck Russell reported seeing their first Sandhill Crane sighting for the year in the Bud Phelps preserve off the old Mendon highway. They also got quite a good look at an American Pipit Long-billed Dowitcher on the canal. Additionally, they saw a Varied Thrush in an apple tree at David Kotter's house in Mendon. 02/25 — Christopher Cokinos reported a female Yellow warbler at Hyrum State Park (shoreline trail) and an Osprey along the Blacksmith Fork River. 02/14 — Stephen Peterson reported observing Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Downy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker at Tom Gordon's yard, where the Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker and Blue Jay have been previously reported in Clarkston (see the directions under the previous reporting). On Airport road Stephen reported a solitary Short-eared Owl, sitting on a fence post. At the Bear River Oxbow, there was a group of 10–12 Canada Geese keeping company with 2 Tundra Swans. At Benson Marina, 6 Common Loons, just off to the north of the bridge. There were 5 Bohemian Waxwings mixed in with Cedar Waxwings, between the student center and the Geology building on the USU campus. 02/11 — Tom Gordon has a Yellow-shafted Flicker hanging out at his feeders along with Red-shafted Flickers and the pair of Blue Jays (previously reported) are still there, since they showed up this past October. Tom lives at 211 S Main in Clarkston in the northwest corner of Cache Valley. Take Ut Hwy 89 North from Brigham City through Sardine Pass. Turn left on Ut Hwy 23 (before reaching Wellsville). Take Hwy 23 to Newton to the highway T, west of Newton. Turn left on Ut Hwy 142 and travel five miles to Clarkston. Hwy 142 becomes 200 E in Clarkston. Turn left at 200 South, go two blocks to Main Street. The yellow home on the southwest corner is Tom's. Watch the feeder between the home and the garage. Alice Lindahl reports from the USU campus of a couple of Bohemian Waxwings mixed in with the Cedar Waxwings, between the Student Center and Geology building, eating off of the crab apple trees. Also, Jean Lown reported seeing a Merlin flying very low above her, while she was cross country skiing on the Hper field at USU. 02/07 — Reinhard Jockel reported seeing a huge flock (100+) of Bohemian Waxwings in the Island area of Logan. He saw them at the intersection of 200 N. and Preston Ave. Look forwaxwings where you see mountain ash trees. Reinhard also observed winter wrens along the canal trail above Canyon Road in Logan. Davis County 02/21 — Brian Currie reported a Snow Goose mixed in with Canada Geese on the islands in the ponds at the end of Glovers Lane in Farmington, northwest of Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. 02/12 — Linda Butler reported observing 117 Bald Eagles at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area (FBWMA). Most were perched in trees not far from the entrance to FBWMA. Additionally Linda saw Canada Geese, an American Kestrel and Northern Harriers. 02/05 — David Jensen reported an immature Harris Sparrow with White-crowned Sparrows, Rock Wren and Chukar near the Antelope Island Visitor Center. Additionally, David reported three Eurasian Collared Doves along Gentle Street west of Bluff road in West Layton. 02/05 — The Layton, Wild Bird Center Saturday morning birding group enjoyed Utah's Eagle Day at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area (FBWMA) seeing over 400 Bald Eagles patrolling the skies over FBWMA. 02/05 — The Layton, Wild Bird Center bird walk to see Bald Eagles at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area on Eagle Day was spectacular, with 350 Bald Eagles being counted Grand County 02/12 — Matt & Amanda Williams reported a flock of Black Rosy-finches at Arches National Park. They also observed a Merlin perched in a tree south of Moab. The Matheson Preserve produced Northern Flickers, Juncos, Song and White-crowned Sparrows, Bushtits, Black-capped Chickadees, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Townsend's Solitaires, and Cedar Waxwings. At the La Sal Mountains Loop Road they saw a Golden Eagle, Bushtits and Mountain Chickadees. Along the Colorado River, from Castle Valley produced 5 Hooded Mergansers. On the way into Canyonlands they observed a flock of Pinyon Jays (200+) and a female "Prairie" Merlin that took one of the Pinyon Jays. Millard County 02/12 — David Allan birding at Gunnison Bend Reservoir near Delta reported seeing a couple of thousand Snow Geese near the north end of the east arm of the reservoir. Salt Lake County 02/21 — Nicky and Carol Davis birding at the Salt Lake city cemetery reported observing many Brown Creepers and Red-breasted Nuthatches. 02/07 — Steven Carlisle reported that a Peregrine Falcon is at the nest box on the Joseph Smith building. It is making a lot of noise, likely a male who is yelling for its mate. 02/06 — Fred Adler observed a flock of over 100 Rosy Finches while climbing the hill north of the road in Red Butte Canyon. Tooele County 02/21 — Nicky and Carol Davis observed 50 Pinyon Jays in Ophir Canyon. They saw Mountain Bluebirds in Mercur Canyon. Uintah County 02/22 — Diane Penttila, Wildlife Biologist for Ouray Nwr reported the following conditions and birds: Projections are good for some good flooding on the Refuge. In preparation we have been mowing salt cedar and have started burning. Hopefully we will get several burns in the next few weeks. The following birds were seen within the survey route: Canada geese, 281; Mallard, 628; Gadwall, 11; Northern pintail, 626; Northern Shoveler, 2; Cinnamon teal, 6; Green-winged teal, 531; Ringneck, 10; Scaup, 2; Common merganser, 20; Common Goldeneye, 6; Bufflehead, 3; Great blue heron, 4; Bald eagle, 42; Red-tailed hawk, 1; Rough-legged hawk, 1; Northern harrier, 3; American kestrel, 2 02/08 — Diane Penttila, Wildlife Biologist at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge conducted the General Waterbird Survey and reported seeing the following birds: Canada geese: 33, Green-winged Teal: 6, Bald Eagle: 56, Red-tailed Hawk: 2, Northern Harrier: 3, American Kestrel: 1 Utah County 02/28 — Eric Huish birding at Lebarron Point was unable to relocate the Eurasian Wigeon (reported previously). They did see American Tree Sparrows at the end of the road on the point north of Lebarron, as well as Prairie Falcon, Say's Phoebe, Chucker and Bald Eagles along the road south of Lincoln Point. They saw a Northern Shrike on River Lane. 02/26 — Glenn Barlow observed a Winter Wren just west of Canyon Glen Campground in Provo Canyon.He had very good looks at the bird. Directions: Go up Provo Canyon to Canyon Glen (the campground past Canyon View). Cross the Provo River on the foot bridge. When reaching the asphalt path, turn left (west) and go to the 3rd telephone pole on the left. You will pass over a red marker on the trail that reads "3 M." The location for the wren is 65 paces west of that red mark. 02/26 — Dennis Shirley, reported an Eurasian Wigeon while birding around Lincoln Point at the south end of Utah Lake. The bird was in the bay just north of Lebaron's Point, on the west side of West Mountain. It was with a large raft of ducks, primarily Northern Pintail, some Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Cinnamon Teal and American Wigeon. It was a striking adult male in full plumage and fairly easy to pick out. Dennis used a scope and parked along side the highway while sorting through the rafting ducks. 02/21 — Matt Mills reported a Merlin at the top of a tall spruce tree where Briar Avenue bends left and becomes Oak Lane in east Provo. 02/16 — Reed Stone observed a golden-crowned sparrow on the west side of the Provo airport dike, 100 yards south of the new airport tower. 02/10 — KC Childs birding in Provo Canyon reported a Winter Wren about 300 yards downstream from Canyon Glen Park along the Provo River Parkway. It was on the north side of the trail where there is some standing water and a chain link fence. Also in the same area was a Hairy Woodpecker next to a Downey Woodpecker, offering great comparisons. There were Dippers on the river near Canyon Glen. 02/08 — Eric Huish birding along the Provo Airport Dike observed a Long-eared Owl and 70 yards east of the southwest corner saw a first winter Harris's Sparrow. It was in a bush on the north side of the dike calling loudly. 02/06 — Carol Davis reported at the Provo cemetery. She also observed Mountain Chickadees, Pine Siskins, Red Crossbills and Red-breasted Nuthatches. 02/03 — Kay Stone observed Red Crossbills at the Provo City Cemetery. Washington County 02/15 — Charlie Sheard and the Dixie birders recommend birding Desert National Wildlife Range headquarters, a.k.a as Corn Creek, as an alternative to Lytle Ranch which is closed due to flood damage. During the recent trip they saw a Leconte's Thrasher. Additionally, a pair of Sage Thrashers, in fresh plumage were seen. 02/12 — Laurie Rasmussen observed an adult and juvenile Harris's Sparrow at Boots Cox Park (at the end of Cox Landing off of 900 S in St. George) with a group of white crowns on the dirt pathway behind the tennis courts. 02/05 — Rick Fridell reported an immature Red-shouldered Hawk in Virgin, near the Town Hall on Mill Road. The hawk was originally observed last Saturday during the St. George Winter Bird Festival by Glenn Barlow and Alton Thygerson. There was also a large flock of Pinyon Jays in the area, and a small flock of Red Crossbills feeding on pine cone seeds at the town hall. 02/04 — rick Fridell observed a Cackling Goose (tiny goose with a round head, tiny bill, and dark breast) with about 30 Canada Geese on a pond in Washington City. There is a Greater White-fronted and Ross's Goose at the Springs Pond, and a Snow Goose at the SR-9 (Hurricane) Sewage Ponds. Other birds of note around Washington County observed by Rick include Herring Gulls (adult, second and first winter) and two Horned Grebes at Quail Creek State Park; an adult White-throated Sparrow at the Mill Creek Park in Washington City, and the Red-headed Woodpecker continues to be seen at the Wilson Pecan Orchard. 02/03 — Rick Fridell reported that The Red-headed Woodpecker is still at the Wilson Pecan Orchard in Hurricane (west of Sand Hollow State Park). The Greater white-fronted and Ross's Goose remain at the Spring's Park pond in the Washington Fields of St. George. Weber County 02/26 — Kris Purdy birding in the Jefferson Hunt and Anderson Cove Campgrounds in Ogden Valley, adjacent to Pineview Reservoir observed Evening Grosbeaks, Virginia Rails, and Red Crossbills. The Evening Grosbeaks perched in the treetops along the Winter Grove Nature Trail that runs north-south through the Jefferson Hunt campground. In particular, they were about 1/2 mile north of the trail head in trees along a cattail marsh, and close to a residential neighborhood. Both males and females were present. Kris heard three separate Virginia Rails sounding off with their grating cranks in the marsh on the east side of the nature trail. Other birds at Jefferson Hunt included Common Mergansers and Goldeneye at the mouth of the river, Bald Eagles, a Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpeckers, several drumming Northern Flickers, Black-capped Chickadees, a Brown Creeper, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrow, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. Anderson Cove yielded Red Crossbills. The crossbills seemed to prefer the many Austrian Pines and spruce trees throughout the campground. Other birds at Anderson Cove included, Townsend's Solitaires and a Great Horned Owl. The North Arm of Pineview Reservoir produced a Red-breasted and Common Merganser, and a Ring-necked Duck. A flock of 60 Wild Turkeys east of and below Trapper's Loop in the Hawkins Creek drainage. Several toms displayed, several toms did aerobics by chasing others in great bounding strides. The spot is approximately .7 miles south of the Trappers/Sr-39 junction. Jefferson Hunt and Anderson Cove Campgrounds are located on Sr-39 along the south shore of Pineview Reservoir. 02/15 — Pat Medell reported a Merlin at Beus Pond in Ogden. 02/10 — Kris Purdy observed a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings in Ogden. The specific location was a block north of Weber State University and near the 36th and Birch Street intersection. The percentage of Bohemians in the first waxwing flock she saw was 10–20 percent. Cedar Waxwings numbered in hundreds. Kris found more Bohemians in a tree behind the university's central heating plant on Edvalson St (very near the first sighting). The flock numbered about one hundred birds and half were Bohemians. Additionally, Kris saw Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Steller's and Western Scrub-jays, Townsend's Solitaire and Pine Siskins. These birds were on Ogden's east bench, east of Harrison Blvd and between 30th and 46th Streets 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 |
