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Modified
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Archived bird sightings: April, 2005 Return to main bird sightings page Compiled by Bill Fenimore Box Elder 04/28 — Todd Black and Dave Dahlgren saw an Osprey Park Valley, seemingly out of place of its usual haunts. 04/24 — Bill Fenimore reported observing an Osprey behind the Nucor Steel plant in Plymouth. It would appear that this is a migrant, since there is no large body of water there to support it. 04/24 — Bill Fenimore lead a field trip for Dr. Yves Cormier from New Foundland who is recording birds in Northern Utah for an Aba area field guide, using sonograms and spectrographs. He reported Short-eared Owls, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Long-billed Curlew, Franklins Gull, Great Horned Owl and Grasshopper Sparrow northwest of the Nucor Steel Plant in Plymouth. 04/24 — Kris Purdy, Jack Rensel and Lynn Carroll reported Grasshopper Sparrows have returned to the field northwest of the Nucor Steel Plant in Plymouth. They also saw a lone Sharp-tailed Grouse in this field. To reach this area, take I-15 north to exit 394. Turn west. After crossing the Malad River zig north and zag west around the steel plant and then turn left (south) at 7600 West. This turn is 2.3 miles from the north-bound exit ramp. The Grasshopper Sparrows are in the field on your right as you drive south on 7600 West. 4/23 — Dave Rintoul birding at Bear river Migratory Bird Refuge reported seeing Red-breasted Merganser, American White Pelican, American Pipit (alticola subspecies) with a flock of winter-plumaged pipits. 04/19 — Betsy Beneke reported a male broad-tailed hummingbird visiting her feeder in Perry today. She also had 3 lazuli buntings visiting for the first time this year. 04/16 — Dave Rintoul birding at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge reported a Red-breasted Merganser (pair) on the loop road; Clark's Grebe and Western Grebe paired up and keeping a very close watch on each other in the canal south of the approach road; an American Bittern subduing and swallowing a garter snake (a process which took most of 15 minutes) on the loop road just west of the entry gate. The snake, despite being beheaded and swallowed, continued to move visibly within the birds gullet for several minutes! 04/04 — Bridgett Olson, Wildlife Biologist at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge reported the following conditions and birds: Total duck count of about 85,000 ducks is slightly above last years' count of 80,000 and also above the long-term average of 77,000. Green-winged teal are not here in large numbers yet. Later than average peak for some of the late migrant divers like bufflehead and common Goldeneye. Cinnamon teal not here at average numbers yet. Shorebird numbers for this time of year are below average. In the next 5 days we should start seeing White-faced Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Marbled Godwit, yellowlegs, Caspian Tern, Snowy Egret, and many of the sandpipers and the departure of the rest of the swans. About 30% of the birds counted can be observed from the Refuge tour loop. First spring observations of Eurasian Wigeon, Franklin's gull, Black-crowned night heron, Western Grebe, American pipit, and Dowitcher. Canada geese are incubating eggs as they finish laying their clutches, as are killdeer. Snowy plovers have been busy constructing several nest cups but no eggs were found. Tundra Swan, 580; Canada Goose, 346; Mallard, 4,488; Pintail, 14,916; GW Teal, 4869; Cinnamon Teal, 628; Shoveler, 20,483; Gadwall, 5,851; Wigeon, 12,224; Eurasian Wigeon, 1; Canvasback, 2,564; Redhead, 3,577; Scaup, 6,566; C. Goldeneye, 3706; Bufflehead, 3,508; Red-breasted Merganser,, 2; Ring-necked duck, 4; Ruddy duck, 2,320; PB Grebe, 2; Eared Grebe, 5,484; Western Grebe, 23; Clark's Grebe, 45; AW pelican,, 183; DC Cormorant, 223; GB Heron, 47; Black-crown. N. Heron, 3; Snowy Plover, 23; Killdeer, 73; American Avocet, 1663; LB Curlew, 1; Baird's sandpiper, 36; Dowitcher, 14; Franklin's gull, 12; RB Gull, 268; California Gull, 3612; Coot, 13,288; Bald Eagle, 1; N. Harrier, 13 Cache County 04/23 — Stephen Peterson led a field trip along the trail that circles Benson Marina. Birds seen included: Marsh Wren, Song Sparrow, Canada Goose, Black-crowned Night Heron, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, American White Pelican, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Northern Harrier, Killdeer, American Avocet and Willet. Additionally, they saw a single Osprey sitting on a nesting platform, just south of the marina, 3 Long-billed Curlews in the fields just southwest of the trail, a solitary Great Egret and one Marbled Godwit flying overhead. We got great looks at these birds. 04/12 — Dominique Roche reported that the Cackling Goose (reported previously) was still at the Oxbow overlook of Cutler Reservoir this morning. Its white collar is evident. As previously identified, it seems to be a nice specimen of Branta hutchinsis leucopareia, the Aleutian subspecies. A large flock of Bohemian Waxwings (between 320 and 340) has been seen at 800 E., just 100 yards south of the intersection with 1400 N. in Logan. The birds sit on two trees only and were present there all the time from 5:30 to 7 p.m. It is next to a small USU orchard. It is on the east side of the road, and there is some room to pull over. 04/10 — Bill Fenimore reported Franklin's Gulls along Hwy 89, just before entering Sardine Canyon. 04/10 — A cackling goose was seen by Ron and Larry Ryel, Melanie Spriggs, Keith and Judy Archibald, Bryan Dixon and Jean Lown at the Oxbow overlook on Cutler Reservoir. The bird was of the Aleutian subspecies (leucopareia) with a distinct white neck band (bordered below by a black band. The bird was with the larger resident Canada goose (moffitti subspecies) and was decidedly smaller with a much smaller, stubby bill and short neck. 04/01 — Stephen Peterson reported observing the following birds at the Amalga Barrens property, owned by Bridgerland Audubon Society: Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Redhead, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Mallards and Canada Geese. Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Savannah Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds. Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Curlew and Snow Geese. A Bald Eagle was and two resident Golden Eagles were soaring over the area. Northern Harrier, Blue Heron, Sandhill Crane, Killdeer and American Coot were present. The Barrens is a recognized Iba (Important Bird Area) in the country and lives up to its reputation. Davis County 04/30 — Brian Currie birding on Antelope Island reported Black-bellied Plovers between mile markers 6 and 5, about 100 yards before you get to mile marker 5. They were on the south side of the road, about 125 yards out. Barn, Tree, Violet-green Swallows and Eared Grebes are also still out in force, most in the spring plumage. At Fielding-garr Ranch Brain reported seeing the following: Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's and one spring plumage male Myrtle race), American Kestrel, Lazuli Bunting, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Kingbird, Say's Phoebe, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird. On the road to the ranch a Brian saw a Burrowing Owl, Chukar and Horned Lark. 04/27 — Joel and Kathy Beyer birding on Antelope Island causeway reported observing 3 Red Knots, in breeding plumage. They were on the north side, on the mudflat's between mile markers 4 and 5. They were with Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Western and Least Sandpipers. Additionally there was one Snowy Plover. 04/24 — Dave Schonewald, a visitor to Utah reported seeing a single Hudsonian Godwit on the Antelope Island causeway, associating with 6 Marbled Godwit. The bird was located approximately halfway across the causeway on the south side, and was observed at close range for approximately 10 minutes. 04/23 — Dave Rintoul birding at Antelope Island reported Western Sandpipers, Sanderling's and Black-bellied Plovers along the Causeway. A Long-eared Owl at Field Garr Ranch. 04/20 — Deedee O'Brien birding the Antelope Island Causeway reported Black-bellied Plovers, Willet's, and Marbled Godwits. All the shorebird activity was on the south side and began in earnest before mile marker 5. The lighting also really highlighted the pink breasts of the Franklin's Gulls, and the lovely colors of Tree Swallows resting on the vegetation with Barn Swallows. Along the causeway were numerous Avocets and Black-necked Stilts. 04/18 — Joelene Hatch reported migrant shorebirds and waterfowl along Antelope Island Causeway. She saw: willets, whimbrels, avocets, western sandpipers, sanderlings, northern shoveler, grebes, long-billed curlews on island. 04/12 — Paul Higgins and later Dr. John Cavitt, reported observing four or five Black-bellied Plover on the Antelope Island Causeway in breeding plumage on the south side of the causeway between mile marker four and five. 04/09 — Dave Hanscom birding on Antelope Island reported Long-billed Curlews south of the Fielding-Garr Ranch, a Says Phoebe around the fences and sheds at the ranch, and Willets by the marina. 04/09 — Bill Fenimore leading the Layton, Wild Bird Center Saturday bird walk reported a Red-naped Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Coopers Hawk and Golden Eagle on the East Kaysville Wilderness Park trail. 04/04 — Joelene Hatch reported that the Long-billed Curlews have arrived at Antelope Island. White Rock bay is a good place to see them. Ruddy Ducks along the causeway. A pair of long eared owls and red tailed hawks are near the ranch house. 04/04 — Kris Purdy birding on Antelope Island reported observing the following birds: Franklin's Gull in summer plumage, California Gull, a second-year Herring Gull at around mm 2, north side, and a flock of 15 Bonparte's Gulls flying west along the causeway. Long-billed Curlew on the south side of the Causeway between mm 2 and 1. American Avocet at the marina and three Willet's around mm 3, south side. Vesper Sparrows at the very last turnoff to the Visitor's Center, and Sage Thrashers on the way to Garr Ranch. Tree Swallows are both over the fields and along the causeway. North of mm 5 long lines of Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler. 04/01 — Kris Purdy reported the Long-billed Curlews have arrived at Antelope Island State Park. She saw four pairs: two pairs were on the south side of the causeway between miles 2 and 0 and the other two pairs were on the shoreline on the way to Garr Ranch. Grand County 04/22 — Mark Stackhouse lead a West Wings field trip and reported the following birds: a male Indigo Bunting at the Sand Island Campground near Bluff, near the petroglyph panel. A male Williamson's Sapsucker at the Devil's Canyon Campground, and a Northern Pygmy-owl. West Wings tours can be accessed at www.westwings.com. Morgan County 04/23 — Les Talbot reported that Wasatch Audubon observed 48 Rooster and 3 Hen Greater Sage Grouse on the Henefer Divide Lek. Additionally they saw several Common Loons at East Canyon. An Osprey was on the west side of the lake on the south end. They visited the Morgan Sewage Treatment Plant and saw 2 Blue-winged Teal on the east pond. Salt Lake County 04/26 — Glenda Cotter reported seeing her first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the year in the oaks behind Research Park. 04/25 — Bruce Robinson birding at the Lee Kay Ponds a group of 7 Franklin Gull, and a solitary winter plumage Bonaparte's Gull in the West Pond. In the main pond behind the gazebo were 5 more Bonaparte's, in breeding plumage, and 3 Forster's Terns. Finally, just before the gazebo was a Vesper Sparrow. 04/23 — Ann Neville reported Wilson's Phalarope on the Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve. Group of 6 females in full breeding plumage. 04/09 — Steve Sommerfeld birding at Decker Lake reported three Caspian Terns in the southwest corner of the lake. 04/06 — Lu Giddings birding at Lee Kay Ponds reported a pair of cattle egrets in breeding plumage on a small island south of the gazebo. There was also a lone canvasback, along with redheads, lesser Scaup, and a few common mergansers. Lu also saw his first Canada geese brood of the season. 04/04 — Bruce Robinson birding at Lee Kay Ponds reported at the far west end of the largest pond over 50 Avocets. Swimming with the many Eared Grebes was a lone Franklin's Gull. On the "L" shaped island were several Black Neck Stilts, Yellow Headed Blackbirds. The farthest pond to the east yielded 3 Pelicans, one sporting the horn growth on the top of his bill. Sanpete County 04/03 — Darren Clark observed a Black Phoebe in the willows lining the Sevier River on the north side of the bridge that is just south and west of Fayette. Uintah County 04/19 — Diane Penttila, Wildlife Biologist at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge reported the following birds during the General Waterbird Survey. New species this week include blue-winged teal, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, cattle egret, western grebe, and least sandpiper. New non-wetland species include spotted towhee, western kingbird, and mourning dove. Turkeys were everywhere. Most hens were alone, probably sitting on nests already. The following birds were seen within the survey route: Canada geese, 51; Mallard, 48; Gadwall, 496; American Wigeon, 20; Northern pintail, 27; Northern Shoveler, 165; Cinnamon teal, 151; Green-winged teal, 263; Blue-winged teal 1; Redhead, 44; Ring neck Duck, 26; Scaup, 18; Bufflehead, 3; Ruddy duck, 36; Coots, 1,079; Great blue heron, 54; Double-crested cormorants, 74; American white pelicans, 26; Black-crowned night heron, 1; White-faced ibis, 8; Cattle egret, 2; Pied-billed grebes, 3; Eared grebes, 7; Western grebe, 1; Killdeer, 9; American avocets, 63; Black-necked stilts, 11; Marbled godwit, 5; Lesser yellowlegs, 30; Greater yellowlegs, 3; Dowitcher sp., 38; Least sandpiper, 14; Red-tailed hawk, 2; Northern harrier, 2; American kestrel, 8; Turkey vulture, 2; Ring-billed gull, 3 04/06 — Diane Penttila, wildlife biologist at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge sent the following report. New species this week include wood duck, redhead, ruddy duck, black-necked stilt, greater and lesser yellowlegs, marbled godwit, Dowitcher, prairie falcon, and turkey vulture. Sheppard Bottom is almost full from Pelican Lake water. Leota Bottom still has good use but we are depending on the Green River to re-fill it. The following birds were seen within the survey route: Canada geese, 94; Mallard, 38; Gadwall, 687; American Wigeon, 80; Northern pintail, 60; Northern Shoveler, 199; Cinnamon teal, 110; Green-winged teal, 1,086; Wood duck, 1; Redhead, 40; Ring neck, 34; Scaup, 10; Bufflehead, 10; Ruddy duck, 1; Coots, 1,452; Great blue heron, 59; Double-crested cormorants, 9; American white pelicans, 74; Pied-billed grebes, 7; Eared grebes, 4; Killdeer, 24; American avocets, 15; Black-necked stilts, 4; Marbled godwit, 3; Lesser yellowlegs, 11; Greater yellowlegs, 2; Dowitcher sp., 9; Red-tailed hawk, 2; Northern harrier, 6; American kestrel, 6; Prairie falcon, 1; Turkey vulture, 1; Bonaparte's gull, 3 Utah County 04/25 — Matt Mills birding at Utah Lake state park and the airport dike reported an American Tree Sparrow on the rocks along the southeast side of the dike, and Caspian Tern and an American Pipit. Near the west entrance to the airport dike there was a single Sora calling. Near the east entrance was a single male Bullock's Oriole, 1 Black-crowned Night-heron, and Franklin's Gulls. 04/19 — Tuula Rose reported a Blue-winged Teal and seven Snowy Plovers at Lincoln Beach. 04/12 — Nate Nye reported a Western Screech Owl in a cottonwood on 500 W., adjacent (to the north) of North Park in Provo. Additionally, Nate observed Lesser Goldfinch and a pair of Belted Kingfishers flying overhead on the south end of the BYU campus.ÊAnÊOsprey was observed fishing the Provo RiverÊon 500 W. 04/11 — Reed Stone reported birding around the Provo Airport Dike. On the west side of the south extension there were a pair of Sand Hill Cranes doing their courtship dance and display. Going west from the extension was a flock of Franklin Gulls, about 200 yards before the southwest corner, and way out south were a pair of Great Egrets in the open fields. Sage Sparrows are still present. On the south Jetty in Utah Lake State park were Tree, Violet Green, and Northern Rough Winged Swallows. 04/09 — Reed Stone reported observing two Great Egrets at the Airport Dike, out from the southwest corner of the new extension. 04/09 — Alona Huffaker reported Evening Grosbeaks at her bird feeder and in the trees surrounding her yard at 1195 S. 700 E. in Springville. 04/06 — Ned Hill reported that the Varied Thrush he found is still being seen in Provo. To reach the site, go north on Iroquois Drive from the LDS Temple property. At 2620 N, turn east (the northern border of Rock Canyon Park). The road comes to a "T" at Foothill Dr. The bird has been heard and seen on the hillside behind the home east of the T. Please be respectful of the homeowner and remain on the sidewalk. The bird's call is a ringing sustained note given at intervals and at various pitches. Sometimes it crosses the street and lands on the gazebo. 04/02 — Jack Binch reported seeing the Varied Thrush previously reported by Ned Hill. At Provo Boat Harbor, Jack found several Marbled Godwits. They were north of the north dike on the shoreline. 04/01 — Lu Giddings reported a Blue-winged Teal drake in the pond immediately north of Olson's Nursery in Salem. 04/01 — Tuula Rose saw a nice breeding plumaged Horned Grebe on Utah Lake, south of Lincoln Point. When you go around the point and head south toward Lebaron Point and Genola, there is a long row of tall trees next to the road flanking the apple orchards. The grebe was about 0.6 miles south of the south end of the trees close to the shore with several Eared Grebes. Washington County 04/18 — Rick Fridell reported three Whimbrel's at Sand Hollow State Park. They were originally along the shoreline in the northwest day use beach area with a single Long-billed Curlew and four Marbled Godwits. A pair of Hooded Orioles that have been hanging out in the yard for the past week and most days there are a couple of Inca Doves calling around the neighborhood (Canyon Ridge, especially near the end of 290 N). 04/17 — Laurie Rasmussen reported that a White Winged Dove was spotted between Crestview Dr. and Circle Dr., a block west of the Santa Clara City Park. 04/09 — Kevin Wheeler, Pamela Larson and Rachel Gubler birding in Zion reported a pair of Painted Redstarts on the Riverside Walk Trail. They were just south of the last little hill before the end of the narrows (maybe 100 meters south). Other good Zion birds today included a peregrine falcon, black-throated gray warbler, and white-throated swifts on the Canyon Overlook Trail, and a hermit thrush on the Riverside Walk Trail. 04/09 — Rick Fridell reported photographing an adult White-tailed Kite in the Washington Fields. It was initially perched in the top of some dead tamarisks at the end of the Y-drain (Northeast end of Seegmiller Marsh complex). It soared off to the south over Schmutz Hill, and then was observed an hour later in Washington along 300 E. near the Washington Bridge (Virgin River). The adult female Long-tailed Duck continues to be seen at the SR-9 (Hurricane) Sewer Ponds, and both the Ross's and Greater White-fronted Geese are continuing at the Spring's Estate Pond. 04/08 — Rick Fridell reported an adult female Long-tailed Duck at the SR-9 (Hurricane) sewer ponds. She has been on the northwest pond since at least Wednesday (4/6) and was still present this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. Weber County 04/18 — Kris Purdy reported Red-naped Sapsuckers have arrived at the higher elevations near Snowbasin Ski Resort. One male was drumming and vocalizing just east of new Snowbasin Road between mm 1 and mile 1.2. The other five birds were in two separate territories along the Maples Loop Nordic Trail (the trail head is at the northeast corner of the Olympic Run parking lot). 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 |
