Aug 2008
Cindy Sommerfeld (10 Aug 2008) - Yesterday (Saturday)...We hurried over to Bear River Visitors Center in time to tag along on one of their tours. The water is down and many places were dry. At one of the few places with water we did see a Common Tern.
Jul 2008
Matthew Alexander - On 8 July 2008 at around 6:30pm, myself and Jim Pawlicki identified and photographed an adult Western Gull hanging out with about a dozen California Gulls at the Bear River NWR. The bird was near the southwest corner of the square-shaped auto tour. The bird appeared fidgety and flew off towards the south once we approached for better photos. None of the California Gulls flew away at that time. The Western Gull was larger with a darker mantle and pink legs.
Jun 2008
Betsy Beneke (29 Jun 2008) - I think we had a pretty good trip at Bear River yesterday. ...There were about 6-8 Great Egrets found...
Tim Avery (24 Jun 2008) - I just received a text message from Chris Wood (eBird project manager), that several of the field trip leaders, as well as a small group of field trip participants were able to see a Brant at Bear River MBR on the behind the gates tour of the refuge as part of the ABA Convention. Unfortunately, the area is closed to the public, and the bird swam into cover before most of the participants were able to see it. None-the-less an outstanding record for June 24th!!!
Betsy Beneke (17 Jun 2008) - I completed my Promontory Breeding Bird Survey this morning, and will share a few comments. I found a Eurasian Collared Dove, which is the first time I've seen this species along the Promontory Road. Grasshopper Sparrows can be found several places along Promontory Road - I heard them singing in more places than I normally do. Hope that's a good sign.
May 2008
David Wheeler (27 May 2008) - Larene & I went on another wild goose chase. We dipped on the Wood thrush, but Lucin did offer up several other unusual species to assuage our tears: 1) Northern Parula - 2) Black & white Warbler - 3) American Redstart - all of these were most often in the trees around the main pond, with some forays into the Russian olives around the marshy "secondary pond" just to the west.
Colby Neuman (26 May 2008) - Jeff Bilsky and I headed out to some of the migrant traps of the west desert from Saturday through Monday. ...Highlights from the weekend included - 5/26/08 - ...Lucin -- ...1 Wood Thrush - large thrush with a very rusty upperparts that was strongest on the nape of the bird, distinct black spotting on the chest, upper belly and and flanks, white eye ring and cheek pattern were observed, never sang, but did its two (alarm?) calls...a drier cluck repeated 3 or 4 times and their whistly sounding cluck call (the more common of the calls I believe)...photos and video were obtained and I will put up a link to them later tonight or tomorrow...it seemed to hang out in the vegetation that's adjacent to where the pipe that drains the main pond releases water into the overflow pond (that has cattails). We first saw it when it flew into the tree that is down in the pond though. I do think it stands a decent shot of sticking around as there are rain showers all over NW Utah currently. 1 Black-and-white Warbler - 1 female - seen up high and down low, but went extended periods without seeing the bird...first observed on the downed tree in the pond. ...
Kris Purdy (26 May 2008) - Friend Jen Cary saw a Lark Bunting, I believe a male, at Bear River MBR in Box Elder County today. Although Jen saw the bird in an area not accessible to the public, it wasn't far from the gate at the extreme northwest corner of the auto tour loop. The gate is also located at the parking area at the northwest corner of unit 2c.
Jack Binch (12 May 2008) - I went to Bear River MBR with the target bird being an American Bittern. I was in the right place at the right time yesterday for sure. The bittern flew in front of me and landed on the other side of a little canal just north and west of the maintenance sheds. I got a few photos and he flew back north where he came from. I guess there was not enough cover. Before the bittern I spotted a Glossy Ibis along the road just after the curves. He stayed quite a ways in front of me and was harassed by a White-faced Ibis and then flew northwest and joined the other couple of thousand ibis north of the big canal.
Tim Avery (11 May 2008) - Colorado birder Jacob Cooper sent me a message reporting he had seen a Broad-winged Hawk north of Bear River MBR this past week.
Bridget Olson - Bear River MBR - Waterbird/Raptor survey - 5/01/08 ...Notable birds include Whimbrel ... and Great Egret...
Betsy Beneke (4 May 2008) - I've had a male Calliope Hummingbird coming to my feeder here in Perry, Box Elder County, the last 4 days.
Apr 2008
Jack Binch (25 Apr 2008) - Great find Betsy. One of the Palm Warblers was in the tree just west of the culverts for the canal at 8:30 AM. It was at the tree east of the culverts at 11:30. Life bird :-)
Betsy Beneke (24 April 2008) - Today, refuge volunteers Les Talbot, Louise & Steve Brown & I braved the snow squalls, rain and thunder – to make a second training trip to the refuge. We conducted a semi-thorough survey of the refuge's avifaunal resources, and tallied 65 species. Here are some of the highlights... At Reeder canal/Reeder Bend (2 miles west of the wildlife education center) there were 2 Palm Warblers in the small trees on the northwest corner of the curve. A new bird for the refuge checklist!...
John F. Cavitt (22 Apr 2008) - Today our Ornithology class birded Willard Bay State Park and found a White-throated Sparrow in with a flock of White-crowns. The bird was at the north end of the Cottonwood Campground near the restrooms.
Kris Purdy (3 Apr 2008) - Keith Evans and several other members of Wasatch Audubon saw a first-year Glaucous-winged Gull at Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County yesterday. The bird was with a group of California and Ring-billed Gulls at the south end of the park, and I assume Keith meant the Pelican Beach Group Use area since that's the accessible southern-most area of the park with a shoreline. The gull took off by itself and flew west over the water.
Kris Purdy (2 Apr 2008) - Walt Betts and I saw a Long-eared Owl at Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County today...serendipity! The owl was roosting low in a phragmites-choked tree along a channel about 25 yards west of Willow Creek Campsite #15. ...Other highlights included four Horned Grebes; two in the sewage treatment pond north of the park, one in Willard Reservoir's exit channel and one in the pond at the north end of Willow Creek Campground. Three of the four birds were in half n' half winter/summer plumage; the fourth was purely a winter bird. ...Several folks saw a pair of Eurasian-collared Doves near the parking lot; the sighting may constitute the first of this species in the park.
Mar 2008
Bridget Olson - Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - Waterbird/Raptor Count 3/21/08 Migration is now in full swing. Total waterfowl around 235,000. This is about double the average 131,000 for this week in March. Total shore birds around 1300, average for this week is about 2600. All units are open and ice free. ..About 30% of all birds tallied were observed from units around the tour loop viewing area. ...Eurasian Wigeon 2 ...Long-tailed Duck 1 ...Barrow's Goldeneye 2 ...Baird's Sandpiper 3...
Jack Binch (10 Mar 2008) - On Sunday I relocated the Greater White-fronted Goose that Bob Huntington reported last week. This time it was north of the first duck club and on the east side a hundred yards or so out. The one that has the mobile home and looks abandoned. It was with a half dozen Canada Geese. Don't bother to look at the paired up geese, just look at the groups. Bob found it close to the actual entrance to Bear River MBR, so it moves around a lot.
Kristin Purdy (9 Mar 2008) - Chalk up one more report of good geese in Northern Utah. Yesterday, John Bellmon, Keith Evans, Jack Rensel and I saw a Greater White-fronted Goose in Corinne in Box Elder County. The bird was hanging out with a bunch of Canadas and we saw it several times during the day. This bird is a first year and hasn't quite developed the black speckles across the belly that give the species the moniker "Speckle Belly" among the hunting fraternity. The speckling has just begun along the flanks. However, the other critical field marks fell into place to distinguish this bird from a Graylag.
Kris Purdy (2 Mar 2008) - I just got a call from Bob Huntington (12:20 pm, Sunday), who has found a Greater White-fronted Goose on the road to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County. Bob and the bird are at the Bear River Club, the duck hunting club with the big red buildings just after the road takes a jig to the north as you're headed west to the refuge. Bob said the goose was just north of the road and keeping company with Canada Geese and Tundra Swans.
Feb 2008
Tim Avery (6 Feb 2008) - Yesterday I ventured north, with Ben (I am totally spacing out on your last name), to Box Elder County ...Near Salt Creek WMA near Termonton we met up with Larene Wyss and David Hanscom. It was bitterly cold, and there were very few birds in the area previously reported by others. No more than 20-25 Horned Lark, and at least 7 and maybe a few more Lapland Longspurs varying in plumage with a couple juvenile birds present as well. Ben and I drove across many of the roads in the area looking for other flocks, and found one small flock of 10-15 birds that contained 1 Lapland Longspurs already about 50% back into alternate plumage. This flock also had at least one American Goldfinch tagging along. We found a single MERLIN closer to Corrinne that looked to be in between Prairie and Taiga in plumage. - At 6000 West and about 2000 North we found a field that had fresh manure plowed into the snow. This area was teeming with activity, including a flock of Canada Geese out in the mess, and numerous flocks of Horned Larks, numbering between 750-1000. Only once did I think I heard a Lapland Longspur here and never could get eyes on the bird.
Jeff Langford (4 Feb 2008) - Shelly and I drove up to Teton/Flag Ranch/Yellowstone over a long weekend. Birding was sparse, snow heavy. We did observe a McCown's Longspur at the intersection of Utah state highways 30 and 38 east of Riverside on our way to Cache Valley last Thursday. The Longspur was foraging near the road with a flock of Horned Larks and we were fortunate to catch a glimpse before the snow storm hit.
Craig Fosdick (2 Feb 2008) - ....today I found two McCown's Longspurs on 6800 N, about 1.5 mile west of 7600 W, in Tremonton. First off, thanks to Steve and Cyndy Sommerfeld for posting their sighting of a non-Lapland Longspur at this location on 1/26. The Sommerfeld's report was the major impetus for my trip, along with Harry Kreuger's McCown's Longspur sighting of a McCown's Longspur in Idaho, on 1/20/08 on Poen Rd, in Ada County, Idaho. ...Secondly, a big thanks to Jack Binch, who was at 6800 N when I arrived. Jack helped (Jack hope I spelled/got your name right!) confirm the identification, and the two of us then spent about 3 hrs chasing and searching for the two McCown's Longspurs. We were able to locate the birds four more times, and at 3:10 pm, we saw both McCown's along the side of 6800 N simultaneously. I left at 3:20; I think Jack left shortly after, but not sure.
Jan 2008Steve and Cyndy Sommerfeld ( 28 Jan 20088) - Saturday Cyndy and I went wandering North and West of Corrine. We drove through Salt Creek, not much for birds. We continued East from the refuge on 6800 North and we started seeing Horned larks. These birds were about 3/4 to 1 mile West of 7600 W. The first flock of about 75 birds had 1 Snow Bunting and 3 Lapland Longspurs. We drove about 300 yards and saw a flock on the side of the road, so we got out and set up a scope. The birds kept flushing every time a car went by, but at one time I counted 47 Longspurs between cars. If you should find this flock look carefully at the Longspurs . When they flushed a few of the times there was one with a mostly white upper tail that I could never pick out while they were on the ground. Did not see well enough to decide if it was a Chestnut-collared or McCown's. Good luck. ...We also drove the loop at Bear River very few birds. On the way back at the corrals was a small flock of Horned Larks with one Lapland Longspur in it. The Longspur was at least half way into breading plumage. More Longspurs than we've ever seen , so not a bad day.
Kris Purdy (6 Jan 2008) - This afternoon at about 3:30 I saw a huge flock of Horned Larks near Box Elder County Landfill that included Lapland Longspurs. This was the biggest flock of Horned Larks I think I've seen; I estimate the number at 500-600 birds. The flock remained far out in a field south of the road I was on (6800N, Corinne) and moved frequently. ...The best I did was to count eight longspurs in a small area before they flushed. I was finally rewarded for good behavior when a group of 40-50 birds flew to the road and landed in front of my truck. I counted seven longspurs among the Horned Larks before my stupid glasses fogged up and I couldn't see anymore. ...I feel certain there are many more longspurs than what I saw. ...I also saw a Northern Shrike at my turnaround spot in Howell, it's at the first intersection when driving northbound on SR-83 and there's a feedlot there...
Betsy Beneke (3 Jan 2008) - I took a little "jaunt" out to the refuge between 11:30 am and 2:00 p.m. today. Was THRILLED to come upon a flock of about 50 Snow Buntings with a few Lapland Longspurs mixed in! They were on the north leg of the auto tour route loop, picking grit along the south shoulder of the road, and I was able to watch them for several minutes at about 50 feet. They eventually flushed and flew out on the flats in Unit 2 to the south, out of binocular range, but could be seen moving about on the ground, in and out of the edges of the weeds. My odometer said 14.8 miles from the end of the wildlife education center driveway to this spot, but it's probably closer to 14.5 or 14.6 miles, as I was messing around a bit along the way. This spot was also about 2/10 of a mile before you start into the S curves.
Nov 2007
Weston Smith (22 Nov 2007) - Aaron Smith and I went birding up to Bear River Refuge this morning(11/22) and saw three Snow Buntings about 1/2 mile north of the southwest corner observation tower, they were sighted at about 11am.
Tim Avery (21 Nov 2007) - I spent some time driving around Mantua ...I decided to do a quick scan of Mantua Reservoir. There were 17 Greater Scaup near the dam.
Oct 2007
Kris Purdy (26 Oct 2007) - A Winter Wren was at Box Elder Campground, Mantua, Box Elder County, this morning. The bird was using the narrow stream along the west side of Group Unit A, especially the northwest edge of the area. I also saw the bird along the stream at campsite #24. He or she was relatively vocal, so learn the chip call before you go and you'll improve your chances of seeing it. .... Mort Somer tipped me off to Red Crossbills at the Brigham City Cemetery at the corner of 300S. and 300E. in Brigham; I found about 20 there and watched them for a long time. Best watching was in a pair of spruce trees at the northeast corner of the cemetery. The birds also favored a cedar tree in the front yard at 515E. 300S.; this was something of a money tree due to the number of species I saw using it: the crossbills, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, House Finches, Dark-eyed Juncos and a Cassin's Vireo --when will this species' migration be over? ... The two Horned Grebes are still at Mantua Reservoir and were visible from the boat ramp. Yesterday, I saw two Western Screech-owls at Beus Park in Ogden, Weber County. One was at a well-known cavity roost; the other was at a spot I've just discovered after whitewash below the site has vexed me for three weeks. The bird was nearly invisible, but HA! Bird poop told the story. Reply for directions.
Tim Avery (29 Oct 2007) - Some more highlights from Saturday afternoon and Sunday. 4 FRANKLIN'S GULL - Willard Bay (flying north off the bay as we arrived)1 Golden-crowned Kinglet - Willard Bay, Willow Creek Campground boardwalk 3 Horned Grebe - Willard Bay...
Colby Neuman (28 Oct 2007) - Tim Avery received word of a Blue Jay coming to a feeder in Willard yesterday. We became quite discouraged this afternoon after spending 3.5 hours watching the feeders at the residence with no Blue Jay. As a last ditch attempt, I decided to drive around the neighborhood while Tim waited at the feeders. As I was driving slowly around the neighborhood, I heard the Blue Jay call at approximately 200S and Main St. in Willard (Box Elder Co.). I drove back to get Tim, and we eventually spotted the bird moving with a scrub-jay 'flock' along the east side of Main Street between 200S and 300S.
Kris Purdy (4 Oct 2007) - A White-throated Sparrow (white-striped morph albeit a little dingy) was at Willard Bay State Park today on the embankment of the channel east of Willow Creek Campground campsite #34. It was keeping company with two adult White-crowned Sparrows. Other birds of interest:...A few Common Terns still interspersed with the Forster's resting on rocky bars along the shoreline...
Sep 2007
Tim Avery (15 Sep 2007) - I spent about an hour this afternoon at Willard Bay State Park checking in on the shorebirds that Kris Purdy reported earlier this week. HIGHLIGHTS: 3 Semipalmated Plover ...41 Least Sandpiper ...2 Sanderling ...1 Great Egret ...2 Common Tern (beached just west of marina) ...1 Black Tern...
Kris Purdy (1 Sep 2007) - A Stilt Sandpiper was consorting with a group of 8-9 Lesser Yellowlegs inside the auto tour loop at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County this morning. This bird was a juvenile by the uniform scaly look to the back feathers and wing coverts. The flock was a mile and a half north of the observation tower.
Aug 2007
Kristin Purdy (28 Aug 2007) - Hit-or-miss Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County was a hit today with nine species of warblers including a female American Redstart. She was foraging like a flycatcher and flutter-dropping in the trees over the stream channel south of the nature trail parking lot. I saw her only briefly along a trail that leads to Eagle Beach; later I saw her again and was able to watch her until a Gray Catbird chased her deep into a hawthorne. Darn catbird!
Edson Leite (20 Aug 2007) - When out Sunday afternoon to Bear River MBR, target birds Ruddy Turnsonte and Stilt Sandpiper. Both were found fairly close to each other. Turnstone at the previously described location. The Stilt Sandpiper was about 50yds north of the last bridge on the north dike.
Glenn B. Barlow (18 Aug 2007) - Thanks to Kris Purdy, Merrill Webb and I were able to see a Ruddy Turnstone at Bear River Refuge a little past noon today. Fortunately Kris had "waited" for us to arrive, after changing a left rear tire. Thanks Kris. Directions: Take the dike road south (?) passing the latrine on the right. Go to the observation tower at the end of the road. Turn around and go back on the same road 1/10 of a mile, just past a bridge (you will be able to see the bridge in your rear-view mirror). The turnstone was about 70-100 yards straight out on your left, feeding in the mud.
Bridget Olson (13 Aug 2007) - Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge ...Thanks to Mark and Kris for reporting their great finds at the Refuge (Mountain Plover and Stilt Sandpipers). ...from the Refuge from last Thursday's count. ...Great Egret 8 ...Solitary Sandpiper 3 ...Stilt Sandpiper 2...
Kristin Purdy (12 Aug 2007) - I made my weekend pilgrimage to Bear River MBR again this morning to study shorebirds and saw Stilt Sandpipers twice near the south corner of the auto tour loop. I think these were two different birds. This is the same area where Mark Stackhouse reported one yesterday. The birds were inside the auto tour loop and my position was about two-tenths of a mile northeast of the observation tower, looking north into Unit 2.
Jack Binch (12 Aug 2007) - I went up to Bear River MBR today to see if I could find either the Mountain Plover or the Stilt Sandpiper. Couldn't find them, but I did stumble onto a Glossy Ibis.
Mark Stackhouse (11 Aug 2007) - Another British birder and I found a few good birds at ...Bear River Refuge today. First, we saw a juvenile Mountain Plover at Bear River on the auto-tour loop about 3/4 mile SE of the NW corner in the main impoundment. It was bathing about 50 meters off of the road, and after we watched it for about 10 minutes, most of the shorebirds in the area flushed and flew to the northeast and it was lost in the tens of thousands of shorebirds there. We also saw a Stilt Sandpiper near the SE corner of the loop and several Short-billed Dowitchers amongst the thousands of Long-billed.
Jul 2007
Bridget Olson - Bear River Bird Refuge Waterbird/Raptor Survey - 7/19/07... Notable birds include... a Eurasian Collared Dove... Great Egret 8... Solitary Sandpiper 2...
Dave Slager (14 Jul 2007) - I went to Bear River Bird Refuge this morning. Along the entrance road I had a Grasshopper Sparrow silently perching on the fence at the small brown sign that says "Bird Refuge 10 miles". I had a Short-eared Owl along the entrance road and another Short-eared along the west side of the auto tour loop.
Jun 2007
Bridget Olson - Bear River Refuge Waterbird/Raptor survey 6/22/07 - ...BW Teal 1...Great Egret 3...
May 2007
Tim Avery (19 May 2007) - This morning Tom and Colby Neuman and myself birded the Lucin trap in the West Desert. We were all sitting on the east side of the pond in the trees watching warblers, orioles and tanagers coming to the water on the west end of the pond when a female oriole that was conspicuously solid colored underneath landed in the cottonwood that is fallen into the pond... Unfortunately the bird flew up into the canopy and literally "disappeared". We spent the next hour and forty-five minutes scouring the small patch of trees, with no luck relocating the bird. ...Tom wasn't sure of the birds ID, but did concur that the birds entire undersides were "a yellow-orange-green". I noted two distinct white wing bars, and gray wings, but not much else. Based off these characteristics the possibilities are limited to both Orchard and Hooded Oriole....My gut instinct, along with the fact that it is May 19th tells me that this bird was likely a an Orchard Oriole.
Cindy Sommerfeld (12 May 2007) - This morning Steve and I started our day at Bear River. We saw 63 different species. Notable species were, Sora, Blue-winged Teal, Great Egret, and Snowy Plover.
Bear River Refuge Volunteers (5 May 2007) - One of our visitors came back all excited on Friday, having seen 2 and heard 3 Grasshopper Sparrows on the auto tour route at the refuge. He described them as being on the south side of the road, in a weedy area about 1/2 way between the beginning of the north part of the auto tour and the first 90 degree turn to the left. Betsy Beneke and Marie Kase reported the sparrows from an excursion they took on Wednesday evening, where Betsy heard them calling in two different areas along this north part of the loop road. She thought maybe they were migrating and just happened to be in that area, as it doesn't seem to be very "good" grasshopper sparrow habitat. But they were still present yesterday morning.
Bridget Olson (4 May 2007) - Bear River Refuge bird count Waterbird/Raptor Survey 5/2/07 ...Blue-winged Teal 4... Great Egret 7...
Tim Avery (4 May 2007) - I just received a phone call from Kris Purdy at 3:05 pm. She was at Willard Bay and reported at least 2 Vaux's Swifts flying over the fields to the north of the State Park. After getting off the phone with Kris Purdy I jumped in my car for the nightmare drive to Willard Bay. They had seen the birds again which was a good sign. WE walked down to the fence so we were as close to the field where the birds were seen as possible, and within a minute one of the bird made an appearance and zig-zagged and zoomed on past.... We watched the bird(s) for some time only seeing one at a time as it cruised by, several times 5 or 6 feet above our heads and a couple times just 10 feet away from us. At one point Kris and I shouted out where the swift was, only we were looking in different places, confirming the belief there were two birds. A short while later Steve and Cindy Sommerfield arrived and got looks at the birds as well. It was a lifer party as the bird was a lifer for Kris, Glenn, Steve and Cindy. Directions: Take I-15 to exit 357, Willard Bay. At the end of the exit ramp, turn west (left) and then north (right). Follow the road as it curves west and then look for the pink tape tied on a willow on the embankment 90 yards after the next right turn (that's the road that runs east of the Willard Bay sewage treatment pond; pass it by). The swifts field is due south of the pond.
Apr 2007
Bridget Olson (23 Apr 2007) - Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge... Total waterfowl around 44,000. This is above the long-term average of 36,000 for this week in April. Total shorebirds around 14,000, which is lower than the long-term average of 16,500. First spring sightings of Forster's tern, Least sandpiper, Blue-winged Teal and Great Egret.
Tim Avery (16 Apr 2007) - Of note also were numerous Greater Scaup at 3 different locations. In all I counted 59!!!! Greater Scaup between Lee Kay Ponds, The Willard Spur and Bear River NWR. 27 of the birds were at Lee Kay, and outnumbered the Lesser Scaup 3 to 1.
Feb 2007
Stephen Carlile (10 Feb 2007) - The Great Salt Lake Birders stopped at the Willard Bay Campground today... We hunted for the White-throat, but did not find it. However, we did see the juvenile Harris Sparrow in the brush on the paved trail, at the northwest end of the campground.
Tim Avery (10 Feb 2007) - Thanks to Kris Purdy's excellent description of where to look for the White-throated Sparrows at Willard Bay I was able to find one relatively quick at the feeder at the back end of Campground # 1 in Willow Creek CG. I sat at the picnic table and after about 10 minutes of waiting the bird showed up and fed for about 15 minutes while I watched: No sign of the Harris's or the other WTSP.
Kris Purdy (2 Feb 2007) - This morning two of the three "good" sparrows seen last week at Willard Bay SP in Box Elder County were present again in the same locations as before. The tan-striped morph of the White-throated was at Willow Creek campsite #1 and the Harris's Sparrow was at campsite #15. I did not see the white-striped White-throated Sparrow.
Jan 2007
Kristin Purdy (26 Jan 2007) - Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County produced a Harris's Sparrow and a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD this afternoon. The Harris's Sparrow was at Willow Creek Campground campsite #15. Cracked corn is sprinkled along the northwest edge of the campsite and across the road east of the campsite. Other birds eating the corn included White-crowned, Song and House Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds.
Kristin Purdy (24 Jan 2007) - Members of Wasatch Audubon saw two White-throated Sparrows in Willow Creek Campground at Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County this morning. One of the sparrows was a strongly marked white striped morph; the other was a tan morph.
Kristin Purdy (22 Jan 2007) - Betsy called back to report a first-winter Harris's Sparrow. She continued north on SR-83 and turned west on Blue Creek Drive at a sign pointing toward Howell. Approximately 300 yards later on the northwest side of the road, there's an area of sagebrush leading down to a ravine (likely Blue Creek). In the sagebrush Betsy found the Harris's Sparrow, American Tree Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows.
Kristin Purdy (21 Jan 2007) - I just got a call (10:20 am, Sunday) from Tim Avery, who's watching Lapland Longspurs with Colby Neuman in Howell, Box Elder County. Tim and Colby have found at least a dozen longspurs at mile 26.5 of SR-83 in Howell, the spot where just one bird was seen on Thursday. Tim sounded like it was a total longspur party with different ages and sexes of longspurs represented including adults going into breeding plumage. The spot is 1.8 miles north of the north border of Thiokol/ATK. -- Tim and Colby say to add a Snow Bunnting to their previous report of Lapland Longspurs in Howell, Box Elder County, and up the number of longspurs to about 20. They're still at the same spot--mile 26.5 of SR-83.
Kristin Purdy (18 Jan 2007) - A Lapland Longspur accompanied a small flock of Horned Larks along SR-83 in Howell, Box Elder County, this morning. I found precious few Horned Larks using Howell's agricultural areas; the flock with the longspur was only the second and final flock. The longspur was a beautiful adult with an exceptionally buffy head pattern, smudgy dark breast band, and bright rufous and black in the wing coverts. The specific spot along the highway was at mile 26.5, 1.8 miles north of Thiokol's north border both along the road bed and among the cowpies in the field west of the road. Mayor's Pond in Brigham City was hopping with a good diversity of waterfowl, which means Mantua Reservoir must be frozen solid. Using the pond today were: ...Greater Scaup (3 drakes; didn't study the hens)...
Nov 2006
Bridget Olson - Bear River Bird Count - Waterbird/Raptor Survey - 11/30/06 - Waterfowl numbers drastically reduced with onset of colder weather...Three Trumpeter Swans observed on the tour loop unit. I adult and 2 cygnets, along south end of tour loop about 150 yards out from the road. Swans are highly visible from the tour loop unit along with several species of ducks...
Dave Slager ( 18 Nov 2006) - I found a juvenile Pacific Loon this morning on the Willard Bay reservoir. I was able to watch it for over an hour. It was at the far western edge of the main reservoir, just south of where the dike "kinks" towards the northeast. On my Utah DeLorme atlas, this is right on the "W" of "Willard Bay Res" which is printed in blue ink. Other birds of note in the vicinity: On the reservoir: 2 Horned Grebe, 1 imm. Snow/Ross's with some Canadas in the middle of the reservoir. In the shallow ponds W of the reservoir: 22 Greater Yellowlegs, 35 American Avocet.
Kris Purdy (17 Nov 2006) - I visited two spots in Box Elder County today to see water birds: Mantua Reservoir and Willard Bay State Park. Mantua continues to be full of cooties...oops, I mean coots... Other water birds included: ...Greater Scaup...Horned Grebe... A brief stop at a couple open water areas at Willard Bay turned up the most interesting bird of the day...a first-spring male Hooded Merganser...Four Horned Grebes swam in the marina enclosure with Pied-billed Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers.
Brian Mickelson (9 Nov 2006) - The Blue Jay continues to visit each day. Two days ago I was out refilling the feeder when I heard and felt the bird swoop down from off of the phoneline and land on the feeder. He must not have seen me standing right there and I was afraid to move (so as to not scare him off) so I just stood there for about a minute getting the best looks at him I've ever had. So, if you come up to Tremonton to see him, maybe the best idea is to stand right by the feeder, still as you can, and let him land on your nose. You can't get a better look than that!
Oct 2006
Kris Purdy (27 Oct 2006) - I birded areas around Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County today ...Three Horned Grebes; two in the open water west of the marina and one in the pond north of the park.
Brian M. (19 Oct 2006) - The Blue Jay is still here. "Here" is Tremonton. Today, the Blue Jay was here from 7:00am until about 3:30 pm (off and on, appearing about every two hours). Anyone is welcome to come if they'd like to add this bird to their list, though who know how long he'll stay around). Just email me for the address and/or directions. You can easily see the feeder from our driveway and you're welcome to walk all the way up and stand there all day!
Kris Purdy (18 Oct 2006) - Members of Wasatch Audubon saw a Northern Pygmy-Owl in Box Elder Campground in Mantua, Box Elder County, this morning... We continued to Mantua Reservoir and several people saw a Harris's Sparrow at the southeast corner chasing a Song Sparrow. To reach this area, take the dike road to the southeast and watch for the short spur road on the left that will take you to the water's edge....
Bridget Olson - Bear River Bird Survey - Waterbird/Raptor Survey - 10/11/06 - Total ducks around 340,000 which is about double the long-term average (though I have a small sample size) and the count from this time last-year... Notable birds
include a Horned Grebe and Bonaparte's gulls...Colby Neuman (7 Oct 2006) -On Saturday I went birding around Willard Bay... ...Trees at Willard Bay SP : 1 Winter Wren, 1 Bewick's Wren, 1 Cassin's Vireo, a lot of Orange-crowned Warblers, 1 male Townsend's Warbler and a whole ton of Yellow-rumped Warblers (including several 'Myrtle').
Brian M. - Today (Oct. 6, 2006) my sons and I ID'd a Blue Jay in our backyard. It was in a Russian Olive tree, making all kinds of racket in the wind and light rain. It then flew down to our feeder where it poked around a little. We got a very good view at that point. I tried to get out and get a pic, but it got away. We chased it, camera in hand, to the neighbor's yard but it was in an apple tree and surrounded by branches, etc. Finally, it flew off, to the other side of the block. I'm not sure how rare this is, but I've never heard or seen a Blue Jay here in Tremonton. Maybe it is the weather...?
Kris Purdy (3 Oct 2006) - Quite a few Common Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls rested with Forster's Terns and California and Ring-billed Gulls in the playas south of the Willard Bay south dike in Box Elder County today. Even after some of the birds flushed because some woman shut her door too loudly (oops; that was me), I still counted about 15 Common Terns and 10 Bonaparte's Gulls.
Sep 2006
Dave Slager (16 Sep 2006) - Today around 2pm I found a juvenile Sabine's Gull at the Bear River NWR near Brigham City, Box Elder County. The bird was found on the auto tour loop. The bird was in Unit 3 on the right side of the auto tour road. The location is approximately 1/4 mile past the 2nd bridge past the large ramped overlook platform.
Glenda Cotter (15 Sep 2006) - Best birds of the day at Garr Ranch were five species of warblers, including Wilson’s, Townsend’s, and a Black-and-White Warbler exhibiting its typically nuthatch-like behavior in the trees around the spring immediately east of the ranch house. Also a Cassin’s Vireo in that area.
Bridget Olson - Bear River Waterbird Count Waterbird Count 9/12/06 - Great Egret 11, Pectoral Sandpiper 2...
Kris Purdy (13 Sep 2006) - Wasatch Audubon flushed a Green Heron near the ponds north of Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County this morning. The bird was in the area of the ponds north of the park that I always call farm ponds; however, joke's on me because this morning I learned those are sewage treatment ponds. I guess the wind has always been blowing the right direction (away from me) when I've visited in the past. ...Another "good" species was Common Tern; we saw two mixed with Forster's Terns and a mess o'gulls resting at water's edge at the Pelican Beach Group Use area.
Kris Purdy (10 Ssep 2006) - I birded four sides of Willard Reservoir in Box Elder County today... Best birds were west of Willard Bay and included several Common Terns, two Semi-palmated Sandpipers and a Great Egret.
Joel and Kathy Beyer (3 Sep 2006) - An early morning visit to Bear River NWR (Box Elder Co.) found Common and Black Terns, Virginia Rails, Great Egret, Solitary Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl and a single Tundra Swan.
Aug 2006
Kristin Purdy (31 Aug 2006) - A female American Redstart was at Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County this morning. The bird was in low Russian Olives above the channel east of Willow Creek campsites 31 and 33. The spot is known for Northern Waterthrushes, which is why I was there, but I didn't see one of those.
Kristin Purdy (5 Aug 2006) - I visited Great Salt Lake west of Willard Bay in Box Elder County today and saw somewhere between 150 and 200 Black Terns. In addition, I saw at least 30 Great Egrets.
Jun 2006
Jack Binch (24 Jun 2006) - Dana Green and I have been searching for a Glossy Ibis for two trips. We spent about 6-8 hours on Sunday the 11th in the Benson area with no success. I went up to Bear River on Saturday the 17th and got a glimpse of one that my instincts said had blue on it's face, but my mind could not confirm it. I reminded Dana that I thought I had seen one at Bear River, so we headed there...We found the one at Bear River... It was along the canal about a mile before the actual entrance to the refuge. That means it has been in the same small area for at least a week.
Bridget Olson - (15 Jun 2006) - Bear River Refuge Waterbird Survey ...Blue-winged Teal 5... Common Goldeneye 3... Great Egret 5...
May 2006
Betsy Beneke (27 May 2006) - There was a pair of Eurasian-collared Doves in Mantua, Box Elder County, today. They were on the wires along Main Street between Center Street and 100 North. I found them following a tip from birders visiting the wildlife education center at Bear River Refuge.
Colby Neuman (23 May 2006) - On Friday we stopped at migrant traps on the western side of the Great Salt Lake. ...The first birds I put my binoculars on were two male Bobolinks perched on fence posts. ...Next, we stopped at the second set of trees. Here an alternate plumage Harris' Sparrow greeted us by singing as we stepped out of the car. Although I've heard their call, the song was a first for me. We also found our first Northern Waterthrush of the trip at this location as well. From here we went onto Lucin (Box Elder Co.) where a significant understory is developing now that the cattle have been fenced out. The trees were also filled with migrants, and we found an Ovenbird, another Northern Waterthrush in a tree that had fallen in the pond and two more Gray Catbirds....
Kristin Purdy (22 May 2006) - Brian Currie and Arthur Morris saw five Purple Matins on Forest Street, the road to Bear River Refuge. The three males and two females were on power lines on the north side of the road just west of the former temporary information center. This is a popular spot where swallows congregate and is the same area where the Fulvous Whistling-ducks were reported in January.
Joel and Kathy Beyer (21 May 2006) - At 7:30 this morning we observed the Red-necked Grebe at Willard Bay. It was in the northeast corner of the Bay, and was easily seen from the campground. As Kris suggested, viewing from the dike would also have been successful. At Bear River NWR, we found at least 2 Stilt Sandpipers with a large flock of Long-billed Dowitchers just south of the observation platform in the southeast corner of the auto loop. Presumably these are the same stilts that were seen last week in a flock of dowitchers in this same location.
Bob Huntington (20 May 2006) - This morning while birding with a group of birders from the G. S. L. Bird Festeval at Willard Bay we saw a Red-neck Grebe. It was swimming in the north east corner of the lake west of the camp ground. It is an adult male in full breeding colors. Beautiful bird.
Keith Evans - Today, May 17, the WAS Wednesday Birders saw what we identified as a Red-throated Loon in winter plumage. Weird huh? The bird was in the canal on the north side of Willard Bay dam. There is a road running down to a trailer house that is part of a duck club. We were at the area where boats are launched.
Bridget Olson (15 May 2006) - ...While out doing a Canada Goose brood survey on 5/11 notable birds included American goldfinch, great-tailed grackle and 8 Stilt Sandpipers. Stilt sandpipers were in with large flock of dowitchers immediately west of the observation platform off the auto-tour-route...
Robin M Wolcott (10 May 2006) - Yesterday, at about 11:30 am, my husband and I observed a lone Common Grackle in the restroom/picnic/shop area at the start/finish of the Auto Tour Loop Rd at Bear River Bird Refuge. We also enjoyed a Whimbrel on the most westerly portion of the loop road. Also along the road in, about a mile from the loop we found 2 Snowy Plovers in the mud flats near the long red "barn/hunt clubhouse" where the road makes a sharp turn.
Steve Coleman (8 May 2006) - I spent a wonderful day at Bear Lake Bird Refuge on Saturday and saw some great and some odd birds. First and most exciting was a pair of Trumpeter Swans one of them had a green neck band #5E3, I also saw 2 Tundra Swans. Other birds seen ...Blue-winged Teal about 50 birds, the most I have ever seen in one place...1 Red-necked Phalarope...
Tim Avery (1 May 2006) - I spent the morning at Bear River NWR, and was quite surprised at the flurry of activity. Birds to note were: 3 Great Egret - on north side of auto tour loop near NW corner...1 American Bittern - my dad heard it calling while I was off taking pictures...
Apr 2006
Jack Binch (30 Apr 2006) - Bob Huntington and I started birding at Portage where Kris Purdy helped us get a look at some Sharp-tailed Grouse. On to Nucor...Grasshopper Sparrows... and a lone Sharp-tailed Grouse.
Bridget Olson (7 Apr 2006) - Bear River Waterbird/Raptor Count ...New birds for the season: Blue-winged Teal, cattle egret, willet, American Bittern, lesser yellowlegs, cliff swallows and Caspian tern. Also so a yellow-headed blackbird with the usual yellow hood. However, where a normal bird is black this bird was all-white, even the bill was a pinkish color.
Mar 2006
Bridget Olson (24 Mar 2006) - Bear River Refuge Count - Quite a few " 1st birds of the season" sightings including....Western Grebe, Eared Grebe, Black-necked Stilt, Dowitchers, Franklin's Gull, Savannah Sparrow, American Pipit, Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Long-billed Curlew, and White-faced Ibis. Unusual sightings included a Eurasian Wigeon and the flock of Snow Geese that continue to hang around (over course in the closed portion of the Refuge)...
Betsy Beneke (5 Mar 2006) - My friends Bob and Joan Burke were visiting this weekend from Minnesota... Today, we drove the Promontory Road looking for Prairie Falcons and Chukar - found both. Not tons of activity out there, but I did get to see my first Utah Harris's Sparrow. I was pretty surprised when it jumped out of the roadside rabbitbrush and sat on a fence for us to admire for a bit. We also found several Swainson's hawks, my first for the year. Still lots of harriers around and got 3 rough-legged hawks and several golden eagles...
Joel and Kathy Beyer (5 Mar 2006) - A White-throated Sparrow was seen about noon today at Willard Bay State Park. It was along the Nature Trail, between the Cottonwood and Willow campgrounds, adjacent to the "pond". It appeared to be in transition from first winter to adult plumage. It was with a group of Am.Goldfinches and House Finches. Also seen were 32 Sandhill Cranes flying overhead, going north.
Feb 2006
Kristin Purdy (5 Feb 2006) - What a phenomenal birding day. Salt Creek WMA really produced. About half the ice at Salt Creek is melted and lots of gulls and geese were using the ponds east and west of Compton's Knoll. The rare [Glaucous and Thayer's] gulls, [White Faced] ibis, and Greater White-fronted Goose were in the open water or on ice west of the knoll. The area east of the knoll primarily hosted Canada Gesse and a few waterfowl species. DWR personnel have placed deer carcasses out on the dikes in preparation for Bald Eagle Day. The eagles have found the feast.
Kelly Mathis (5 Feb 2006) - Yesterday while looking for Barrow's Goldeneye at Bear River Refuge we spotted a female Long-tailed Duck on Unit 3. It was near the south end of the loop road about 100 yds to the east in the open water with a bunch of Common Goldeneyes. ...we had a good, long look with the scope.
Jan 2006
Pomera Fronce (21 Jan 2006) - Anne and I buzzed up to see the [Fulvous Whistling-Ducks] ducks this afternoon. When we arrived, Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld and Bob MacDougall had them all staked out on the Forest Street side of the marsh. The look we got was fabulous. The birds eventually flushed and came down a little ways north. Steve, Cindy and Bob left and Anne and I decided to wait them out. Around 5:15 all three ducks came back to the area where they were initially located by Paul earlier today.
Kris Purdy (21 Jan 2006) - I just got a phone call (11:00 am Saturday) from Paul Higgins. He and Randy Chatelain have just photographed three Fulvous Whistling-Ducks on the road to Bear River MBR in Box Elder County. I believe the exit for the road to the refuge (Forest Street) is at I-15 exit 363. Paul gave the location as just past the information center, first pond on the north side of the road. Paul said if you drive past the intersection of the refuge road and 2560W, you've driven too far west.
Dec 2005
Bridget Olson (5 Dec 2005) - Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Waterbird Count...Total duck numbers drastically reduced to about 58,000 as all the units are about 90% frozen. Still well above the long-term average of 7,000 ducks for this week in December. Notable birds: late snowy egret, white-faced ibis, western grebe, black-crowned night heron, Avocet, and Pelican. Also, short-eared owl...BW Teal 1...Cinnamon Teal 1...Great Egret 2...
Nov 2005
Lu Giddings (20 Nov 2005) - Today at about 12 p.m. I saw what I am fairly sure was a female Black Scoter in the northwest corner of the auto tour loop at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. It was initially observed about 1 mile south of Unit One gate, a few hundred yards south of the road posted "No Vehicles" and about 150 yards east of the road...
Kristin Purdy (10 Nov 2005) - The first birds I heard in Box Elder Campground in Mantua, Box Elder County this morning were surprising Evening Grosbeaks. Three females called their single-note "Teeuw!" call as all worked on samaras high up
in a Box Elder tree...The birds were just shy of the entrance on the east bank of Box Elder Creek and east of the intersection of 300 W. and Park Drive...While I was following the call (in denial that I was actually hearing grosbeaks) I passed a hidden, chipping chipmunk along the entrance road. On the way back, Chippy turned out to be the Winter Wren. Oops. The wren popped out of a brush pile along the east side of Park Drive and 50-100 feet north of the campground entrance...Bridget Olson (3 Nov 2005) - Bear River Bird Count...Tundra Swan 15584...Snow Goose 1...Great Egret 9...Sanderling 1...Bonaparte's gull 44...
Oct 2005
Lu Giddings (22 Oct 2005) - A Horned Grebe was observed at about 2 p.m. swimming in the water immediately west of the dikes that impound Willard Bay and about two miles south of the place where the bay flows through the dike and into the Great Salt Lake. I'm not sure if this area is considered part of Willard Bay, Howard Crane WMA, Bear River MBR, or is simply a part of the Great Salt Lake. The bird was in non-breeding plumage and swimming about 10 yards out from shore.
Kristin Purdy (19 Oct 2005) - Mort Somer spotted a Winter Wren at Box Elder Campground in Box Elder County this morning, to the delight of the other members of Wasatch Audubon on the regular Wednesday morning birdwalk. The wren was on the east bank of Box Elder Creek, east of campsite 17 on Loop A. The wren flitted through some thick dogwood shrubs and everyone was able to get a look. Box Elder Campground is located in the town of Mantua, approximately 2 miles east of Brigham City on US 89/91.
Bridget Olson (12 Oct 2005) - Bear River Waterbird Count...Great Egret 11...
Sep 2005
Bridget Olson - Bear River Refuge Waterbird/Raptor Count 9/27/05...Great Egret 19...Pectoral Sandpiper 5... Peregrine Falcon 1...
Colby Neuman (18 Sep 2005) - Tim Avery and I went birding around the west desert this past weekend....We started the weekend by driving to Lucin (Box Elder Co.) ...Among the more common species, we did find one Winter Wren.
Tim Avery (13 Sep 2005) - This afternoon at 2:30 I returned to the area where "our" Jaeger had been, I unfortunately found the bird dead in the ruts in the mud about 1/4 mile past the second tape marking. I immediately put the bird on ice and returned to Salt Lake to photograph and document the bird. ...I will be donating the bird to the University of Utah, and will deliver it tomorrow.
Kristin Purdy (10 Sep 2005) - Cindy and Steve Sommerfeld just called me from the west side of Willard Bay in Box Elder County with a report of a juvenile Parasitic Jaeger. They're approximately 2 miles north of the point at which you'd turn north around the west Willard Bay dike. The bird was standing on the road in front of them and Steve said they were as close as 25 yards.
Aaron Smith (6 Sep 2005) - Yesterday September 5th Shauna Smith, Celeste Smith, Arnold Smith and I saw several Common Terns on the salt flats to the west of the Willard Bay State Park dike. The Terns were mixed in with Forester’s Terns, Ring-billed and Franklin’s Gulls. Other birds of interest were 5 Pectoral Sandpipers, several Bonaparte’s Gulls in winter plumage and a lone drake Greater Scaup in eclipse plumage. There were several other sandpipers including Semipalmated, Least and Western. The Pectoral’s seemed to stay by themselves while the others were in mixed flocks.
Aug 2005
Kris Purdy (28 Aug 2005) - ...I saw a juvenile Horned Grebe in of all places, the manmade concrete-lined pond northwest of the Nucor Steel plant in north-central Box Elder County today. At least the grebe is still classified as rare!
Joel and Kathy Beyer (28 Aug 2005) - We found the Tennessee Warbler at 9:30 this morning at Willard Bay State Park. It was seen three times in 30 minutes, either at the extreme west end of the boardwalk nature trail, or just further west where the campground road crosses the stream. The first two looks were brief but definite, while the last view enabled us to see all the field marks well, including the white leading edge to the wing and the white undertail coverts. Twice the bird appeared during the play of a tape. Other birders, including the Summerfields, also saw the bird.
Kristin Purdy (25 Aug 2005) - I'm pretty darn sure I saw a first fall male Tennessee Warbler at Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County today. The bird was hopping through a low Russian Olive over the channel east of Willow Creek Campsites 31-32. Some of you will know this spot as the Northern Waterthrush channel...
Tim Avery (4 Aug 2005) - ...I headed up to Bear River NWR this morning and was treated to a plethora of shorebirds. 2 Short-billed Dowitchers were seen with a flock of about 600 Long-billed Dowitcher's in Unit 3, where the dike heads to the east splitting the unit in half. The birds were on the north side of that dike. The two birds, were still fairly orange, and showed heavy barring on the sides, and a white belly. Look for the dowitchers at this spot and in Unit 2, about 1/2 north of this spot. There were nearly 900 LB Dowitcher's in this area, and the two flocks seemed to be moving back and forth between the two areas....
Jun 2005
Betsy Beneke (16 June 2005) - After watching a sharp-shinned hawk chase house sparrows around the outside gardening supplies section of the Perry Wal-mart, I turned to walk to my vehicle and a Common Grackle was patrolling (walking across) the parking lot about 20 feet from me.
Betsy Beneke - Today, 15 June, Bridget and I surveyed Johnson Canyon & White's Valley. We end up not too far from I-84, a mile south of the Idaho border. There were several Grasshopper Sparrows singing just west of the Nucor Plant (start of our route), but we also found two spots where these sparrows were singing in stubble (harvested winter wheat?) and green wheat fields. Very strange habitat for them, although the wheat IS very green and thick this year...
Tim Avery (1 June 2005) - At Bear River...refuge...On the Auto Tour Loop on the west side was a single Great Egret. Plus all our other favorite wetland birds!
May 2005
Carol Davis (30 May 2005) - ...the way into Bear River BR...I got a life bird as I turned the corner to go the long stretch towards the gun club. On the left hand side in the muddy area, which was filled with gulls, stood one lonely American Golden-Plover. This is the area before the stream crosses under the road. He was out there quite a ways so the photo was awful but you can see the black goes all the way to the tail. When I came back out from the refuge I looked for him again but was unable to find him.
Joel and Kathy (24 May 2005) - We visited Bear River MBR early Sunday morning and along the road out we saw 2 Whimbrels. This was about halfway to the refuge. Both Whimbrels were observed flying, and did not exhibit the cinnamon underwings seen on Curlews, but were plain brown. Both Whimbrels also had the median crown stripe and the shorter dark curved bill. Long-billed Curlews were also in the area. Notable species at the refuge were Great Egrets and Black Terns.
Cal & Sharon Andrus (5 May 2005) - This afternoon a Great-tailed Grackle was on the [Bear River] Bird Refuge road...Even though the road to the refuge is closed there are good birds to be seen around the temporary visitor's center. A Great Egret, Sandhill Cranes, L-b Dowitchers were all seen this afternoon, as well as ducks, grebes, ibis, swallows, terns, etc.
Apr 2005
Kristin Purdy (24 April 2005) - Grasshopper Sparrows have returned to the field northwest of the Nucor Steel Plant in Plymouth, Box Elder County. Lynn Carroll, Jack Rensel and I saw and heard hmmmm...maybe 3-5 individuals this morning as we stalked them over the northernmost part of the field. ...We also saw a lone Sharp-tailed Grouse in this field.
Dave Rintoul (18 April 2005) - ...we went out to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on Saturday...most impressive...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.
Jack Binch (10 April 2005) - Bob Huntington and I went north to see what we could find. Behind Nucor Steel - two Grasshopper Sparrows (no Gray Partridge)...
Bridget Olson (4 April 2005) - Bear River Refuge Count...1st spring observations of Eurasian Wigeon, Franklin's gull, Black-crowned Night Heron, Western Grebe, American Pipit, and dowitchers. 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...
Mar 2005
Bridget Olson (15 Mar 2005) - Bear River Refuge Waterbird Count ...First spring observations of Clark's Grebe, Eared Grebe, Snowy Plover and Baird's Sandpiper. Early record dates for Clark's grebe, snowy plover and Baird's sandpiper....
Kristin Purdy (15 Mar 2005) - Mantua and its reservoir in Box Elder County hosted several uncommonly good birds today. ...The highlights included a Merlin, Barrow's Goldeneye, a Horned Grebe, and Greater Scaup.
(8 Mar 2005) - A Bewick's Swan (subspecies of Tundra Swan) was seen and photographed by Ted Steinke at Salt Creek WMA in Box Elder County, Utah on 8 Mar 2005.
Jan 2005
Kristin Purdy (3 Jan 2005) - I saw two juvenile Harris's Sparrows in separate locations today along the Weber/Box Elder County line. The first one was in Weber County... The second....was in Box Elder County along the eastern border of Willard Bay WMA...
Dec 2004
Brian J. Mickelson (28 Dec 2004) - At Mayor's Pond this morning I saw many birds including the Greater Scaup, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck and American Wigeons...
Nov 2004
Bridget Olson - Waterbird and Raptor Survey [Bear River Refuge] 11/19/04 ...Great Egret 1...
Steve Carr (13 Nov 2004) - On Friday I led a small group of Europeans to do some birding in Tooele and Davis counties, then they wanted to see the Bear River Bird Refuge. I gave them directions and they visited the Refuge today, Saturday. One of the experienced fellows reported to me Saturday evening that they saw a Brant in about the same location where one was reported several weeks ago...
Kris Purdy (5 Nov 2004) - ...at Mantua Reservoir ... The first species I saw this morning was the Barrow's Goldeneye; both males and females were at the boat ramp.... In addition, other goodies included a pair of Hooded Merganser, Greater Scaup, and a passerine, a juvenile Northern Shrik
Oct 2004
Betsy Beneke (28 Oct 2004) - One of our refuge volunteers...has had a Blue Jay coming to her feeders for about a week. Her name is Pat Hansen, a very nice lady, who is happy to have birders come to visit...The address is: 220 South 300 West, Brigham City
Kristin Purdy (26 Oct 2004) - ...in Mantua Reservoir...This morning I also saw: ...Greater Scaup ...The Greater Scaup were primarily at the northwest curve of the reservoir, although I also saw two males on the east side. ...The Horned Grebe was also swimming around the northwest curve; sometimes with Eared Grebes, sometimes with Ruddy Ducks...
Mark Stackhouse - At about 11:30 am on Sunday (24 Oct.), Harold John (of MO) and I saw an apparent Blue-headed Vireo at Willard Bay SP. We watched it devour a very large dragonfly for about 15-20 minutes in the brush to the north of campsite 29 in the new campground (Cottonwood CG). David Wheeler and Larene Wyss tell me that they saw the bird later the same day, and that it moved to the north into the hedge to the south of the pond in the old campground. Also at Willard Bay, we saw a Nashville Warbler behind campsite 19 in the old (Willow Creek) campground, and a Swamp Sparrow across from campsite 15 in the old campground. The Brant was also in the same place at Bear River Refuge Sunday morning.
Julie Van Moorhem (17 Oct 2004) - Pomera, Jack and I saw the Brant on Sunday in approximately the same location it has been hanging out--about 100-200 yards out.
Bruce Robinson (14 Oct 2004) - As of 4:00 this afternoon, the Brant was still at the same location as previously reported (well, maybe 100 yards west of where it had been seen). I, Steve Summerfeld, and Cindy Summerfeld were able to watch it for 15-20 minutes as it worked it's way back out to the middle of the unit.
Betsy Beneke (13 Oct 2004) - Bridget Olson just radioed in to say she was looking at the Brant at 4:15 p.m. It is located 6/10 of a mile west of the observation platform, which is on the SE corner of the auto tour route. Quickest way to get there is to head south from the outdoor restrooms (clockwise on the auto tour route), and when you're going to run smack dab into the viewing platform, make a 90 degree turn to your right (west) and go 6/10 of a mile. She said it was only about 100 yards off the dike road in Unit 2.
Karen Welch (11 Oct 2004) - Brant ...At Bear [River] Migratory Refuge 10/10/04. South end of the main loop in the big lake. Mixed in with Coots.
Sep 2004
Stephen Peterson (27 Sept 2004) - Bridgerland Audubon Society sponsored its annual trek to the top of Hawkwatch peak in the Wellsville mountains this past Saturday. ...At the top we were greeted by Mark Fogg ...Mark told us they had recorded 2 Broad-winged Hawks on Friday, Sep. 24, which they were very excited about....
Joel and Kathy Beyer (8 Sept 2004) - ... also on Monday afternoon, there was a White-winged Dove sitting in the road about 1/2 mile east of the entrance to Bear River Refuge.
Aug 2004
Kristin Purdy (23 Aug 2004) - I birded Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County today and came across two different Northern Waterthrushes. Both birds were in Willow Campground. I heard the first, but did not see it, along the eastern edge of the pond that's north of campsites 4, 5, and 6. I 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.
Jack Binch (22 Aug 2004) - Earlier I went up to Bear River to see the shore birds...I did find an elusive American Bittern, and got a few photos...It was on the west end of the north Auto Tour Road by the canal.
Joel and Kathy Beyer (11 Aug 2004) - The Stilt Sandpiper was still at Bear River Refuge last night. It remains at the west end of the north dike in the main unit, along with many, many other shorebirds.
Bridget Olson (11 Aug 2004) - Bear River Bird Count from 8/05/04...Great Egret 25...Solitary Sandpiper 2...Semipalm. Sandpiper 1...
Colby Neuman (9 Aug 2004) - The Salt Lake birders went to Bear River MBR ... today. Highlights were as follows... Bear River MBR ...Stilt Sandpiper - 1 - the highlight for most including myself - 1 adult was mixed in with a flock of ~ 500 shorebirds which included dowitchers, phalaropes and both yellowlegs in the main unit (viewed from the north dike) ...Snowy Plover - 3 in the canal to the east of the east dike.
Kristin Purdy (2 Aug 2004) - I visited Bear River MBR yesterday for a shorebird check...Here's the list of shorebirds I saw during my visit... Solitary Sandpiper...
Jul 2004
Bridget Olson (29 July 2004) - Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - Notable sightings from the tour route include Stilt Sandpiper, Western and Clark's Grebe young, Semipalmated Plover, Red-necked Phalarope, and Solitary Sandpiper. ...Great Egret 4...
Jun 2004
Bridget Olson (21 June 2004) - Just thought folks might be interested to know that Lark Buntings (both males and females) have been sighted regularly (at least weekly) on the Refuge [Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge] since May 20th. Last observation was of a pair near the entrance gate to the Refuge near Perry, Utah on June 15th. What's going on with these birds? I thought they didn't breed in Utah this far west?
John F. Cavitt (5 June 2004) - This morning at ~9am a group of us saw a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. The bird was along the visitors loop about 100 yards north of the observation platform. It flew across the dike in front of us and perched in some salt cedar on the east side of the dike. It stayed out in open giving us some great "looks". This species isn't on the 1995 refuge checklist. Strange bird to see at the marsh!!
May 2004
Steve Carr (22 May 2004) - Friday, at about 10:30 a.m. two Great Egrets were seen toward the west end of the north leg of the auto tour loop. They were seen to the left (south) side of the canal there. On the west leg, about 1/4 mile from the turn from the north leg, on the west side, was a pair of Blue-winged Teal.
Dennis Shirley (11 May 2004) - I observed a Northern Waterthrush this afternoon along the small stream in the campgound at Willard Bay State Park. I stuck a forked stick in the ground where it was seen and heard singing. There may have been two because I saw another one a short distance up stream a while later.
Kristin Purdy (7 May 2004) - I headed to northern Box Elder County and the Nucor Steel plant on a bird-listening trip for Grasshopper Sparrows from 7:30-10:30 this morning. I saw or heard 5 or 6 sparrows although some of my sightings or the calls I heard could have been repeat birds. ...The sparrows are havin' a ball in the field west of the plant's manmade pond, as previously reported by Mark Stackhouse and Lu Giddings.
Apr 2004
Mark Stackhouse - There was a beautiful male Eurasian Wigeon at Bear River Refuge yesterday (Friday, April 23) at about 1:30 pm. It was in a mixed group of ducks that included about 30-40 American Wigeons in the impoundment on the north side (across the canal) from the northwest corner of the auto tour loop. We saw it feeding in that area for about 15-20 minutes... Other "good," but not rare birds that we saw yesterday included about 15 Sharp-tailed Grouse at the stateline road lek west of Portage, 6 Gray Partridge near the Nucor steel plant in Plymouth (look in the alfalfa field behind the chain-link fence NW of the plant), and several Grasshopper Sparrows in the fields NW of the plant area.
Ken Ringer (6 April 2004) - I was at Bear River today and lots of birds as most can imagine. ...a few Snowy Egrets and one Great Egret ( I have never seen a Great Egret this far north)...
Mar 2004
Kristin Purdy (25 March 2004) - Mantua Reservoir offered the best birding of the several Box Elder County spots I hit today...One Horned Grebe swam alone on the west side along the dike that provides an expansive vista of the entire body of water. ...Another Horned Grebe swam at the crowded north end....I saw three Barrow's Goldneyes--a male at the south end and a male and a female at the north end--and I bet there were more....
Feb 2004
Kristin Purdy (9 Feb 2004) - UT 83 (west of I-15 Exit 368) is a productive place for raptors...I turned west on a side road to investigate what the trees around houses in the distance might harbor...Let me sum up the results on this side road--14400N. At the first house one mile west of UT 83 I saw a Prairie Falcon and a Great Horned Owl. At the second house 1.4 miles west of UT 83 I saw two Sharp-tailed Grouse foraging on buds 40 feet up in a row of trees. At the third house 1.5 miles west of UT 83 I saw a Long-eared Owl....
Jan 2004
Jim Lofthouse (16 Jan 2004) - At the Mayor's Pond today: Green-winged Teal, A.Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, Mallard, Canada Goose, Greater Scaup, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Pied-billed Grebe, Flicker, Rock Dove, and Bufflehead. Thanks Kristen for the tip.
Glenn B. Barlow (14 Jan 2004) - ...At Mayor's Pond we saw many of he ducks previously reported by Kris Purdy. After being there on Monday it was amazing to see how much more of the pond was covered by ice. The pair of Barrow's Goldeneye were still off by themselves and we counted at least 4 pairs of Greater Scaup... We decided to turn off 83 and go toward the Golden Spike National Monument....we were finally rewarded with a great view of a Northern Shrike. It was very interesting to see it take off from its place of the telephone wire and fly to the middle of a field and hover in place for sometime...As we turning down the road to Golden Spike Merrill immediately spotted a Merlin (Columbarius) sitting on a low fence post, next to the road. It appeared to be systematically eating what appeared to be a Horned Lark, as it started plucking feathers and eating at the head, then plucking the long wing feathers.
Kristin Purdy (12 Jan 2004) - Quick! Get yourself to Brigham City in Box Elder County for a great waterfowl study opportunity on a relatively tough and uncommon species for Northern Utah--the Greater Scaup. Glenn Barlow and I saw many--up to 20--this morning from 10:00 to 11:30 at the pond on UT 90 on the east side of town. ...Here's how to get there. From points along the Wasatch Front, take I-15 to exit 364 (Brigham City, Logan, and UT 91). Turn east. UT 91 intersects Main Street in about 2 miles. Turn left (north) on Main Street and drive to the Brigham City Tabernacle. Turn right (east) after the tabernacle on UT 90. Drive .9 miles and look for the pond on your left....
Kristin Purdy (4 Jan 2004) - I headed to the windswept "tundra" of Box Elder County today in the attempt to find that Arctic specialty, the Lapland Longspur.... It took about 200 Horned Larks on UT 83 from Corinne to Stinky Springs to produce 2 longspurs. I saw the first one in a roadside flock just west of mm 3 and east of 6800W and the second one along the road at Stinky Springs between mm 6 and 7.
Cliff Weisse (1 Jan 2004) - I took a ride out to Bear River MBR today despite the howling wind. ...There were thousands of Horned Larks along the roads through and before the refuge. About one mile east of the Refuge entrance we saw a Lapland Longspur in one of the flocks. Gulls weren't terribly numerous and included two Bonaparte's Gulls and eleven Herring Gulls, two first year, one second year, the rest adults.