Recent Sightings in Utah County

Mar 2008

Dennis Shirley (7 Mar 2008) -  I took a late afternoon spin around Benjamin Slough and Lincoln point today. Among all the common waterfowl species there was a drake and a hen Wood duck and a pair of Greater White-fronted Geese along Beer Creek in the slough. I glassed the area from the West Mountain hillside using a scope. They were found along the meandering "goosenecks" of the creek about a half mile from Utah Lake.

Feb 2008

(9 Feb 2008) - Kay Stone reports seeing an immature Harris's Sparrow the last two days, at the model airplane field along the Jordan River parkway near Saratoga Springs. The Harris's Sparrow is being seen with other sparrows near the piled up snow at the east end of the parking area. Turn left off Lehi Main Street onto Saratoga road (2300 W), The parking area is a few miles down this road, on your right just before you cross the river.

Lu Giddings (9 Feb 2008) - Dennis Shirley and went in search of longspurs and other winter birds this morning. We passed through Santaquin to Mona, drove the west side of Mona reservoir and through Goshen canyon into Goshen and Genola and then back into Payson and Salem pond. We did not see any longspurs but did have a few noteworthy observations: ...- Bohemian Waxwings were seen, in the company of cedar waxwings, in the Genola Warm Springs area - a probable White-throated Sparrow was seen in the brush along the Genola Warm Springs road, along with song sparrows and a hermit thrush...

Lynn Garner (7 Feb 2008) - Tuesday a couple of miles east of Goshen in Utah County I found some trees full of Bohemian Waxwings. I've never seen so many--must have been 600 or so. I could only see five or six Cedar Waxwings among them.

Jan 2008

Eric Huish (28 Jan 2008) - I just had a great new yard bird, a Northern Shrike was sitting in the tree above one of my feeding areas (Pleasant Grove, Ut Co.). It chased some juncos around for a while.

Carol Nelson (12 Jan 2008) - The Eurasian Wigeon surprised me today with an appearance under my feeders. He was grazing with a large flock of American Wigeons. Milt arrived in time to see him, but the flock flew back to the pond before anyone else arrived. We all tried to relocate him again, but to no avail. The backlighting of the sun made ID difficult. Perhaps this week with snow still on the golf course, and warmer temperatures predicted, the ice on the ponds will recede some more, and he'll stick around a while. If you are interested in seeing him, my home is open if I am here. If I'm not the south gate will be unlocked and you are welcome to use my patio at any time. If you want to know if the flock is in, you may call me at 362-8288. If you want to just come, do so. My address is 2831 N. Marrcrest West, Provo. (Turn west off University Ave. at about 2900 North. Provo. I'm on the west side of the Marrcrest circle, the only one level red brick, with white shutters.)

Milt Moody (11 Jan 2008) - Merrill Webb just called as he watched waves of Bohemian Waxwings coming into the trees between 4th and 5th North and 1050 East in Orem (near his home). He estimated there were about 200 Bohemians and about 40 Cedars in the waxwing flock.

Dec 2007

Ned Bixler - Dec. 27 - 4 PM - North end of Provo Airport. Several Snow Buntings were in the field on the West side of the Lakeside Storage buildings. They were along the road that connects the airport road, and the storage buildings.

Lu Giddings (23 Dec 2007) - There have been a few sightings of interest in southern Utah county over the last days. In our portion of the Provo CBC yesterday Bryan and Justin Shirley and I turned up a few species of interest including a white-faced ibis, a vesper's sparrow, 17 sandhill cranes, American tree sparrows, a yellow-headed blackbird, a Northern Shrike, and a merlin. ...

Tuula Rose (17 Dec 2007) - Since I have not seen any reports of Bohemians in Utah County, here goes. Sunday afternoon I was scouting around my CBC are for this coming Saturday and found lots of waxwings eating the berries of ornamental crabapple and pair trees that line the east end of Center Street leading to the State Mental Hospital in Provo. About half and half Cedars and Bohemians with a bunch of robins also. A couple of hundred birds total, I'd estimate. They were flying back and forth from the fruit trees to the tops of tall trees on the grounds. I hope they stick around.

Alona Huffaker (10 Dec 2007) - There's a Northern Pygmy Owl eating an American Goldfinch in my Maple tree in Springville--a new one for my yard list!

Ned Bixler - SUNDAY 2 PM - DEC. 9TH - Utah Lake State Park - At the end of the North dike, there were several Surf Scoters today. Birding over all was EXCELLENT today, in Utah County.

Nov 2007

Kevin Colver (25 Nov 2007) - There is also a flock of 20-40 Bohemian Waxwings hanging out near the upper LDS chapel in Elk Ridge. They spent half of Thanksgiving eating my juniper berries. They fly around with a few Cedar Waxwings. They've been eating Bradford Pear berries at the church and other berries, crabapples, ect. in surrounding yards.

KC Childs (10 Nov 2007) - I got a new yard bird today and a bird that I do not see often to be honest. I have a male Evening Grosbeak on my feeders.

Oct 2007

Dave Allen (28 Oct 2007) - I am sad to report that the Red-necked Grebe that had been at Clegg's pond in Orem was found dead today in the last described location. I believe that someone has been notified so that it can be collected.

Stephen Carlile (27 Oct 2007) - Just got back from Orem looking for the Red-necked Grebe at Clegg's Pond. When I arrived, around 10:00, Tom Fletcher was already there looking for the bird. Tom had been there for about an hour. It was a good day for grebes. We saw five species: Clark's, Pied-billed, Eared, Horned, and the RED-NECKED. ...However, where we found the Red-necked and its behavior raised some concerns. We had been scanning the pond and as we walked around we literally stumbled onto the Red-necked. It was found in a very small inlet of the pond just south (15-20 feet) of the large elm tree with the swing. (The tree is on the east side of the pond "access road".) We were within 25 feet of the bird. (We probably could have gotten closer, but decided to keep our distance.) The bird was up against the shore in only two or three inches of water. The entire time we watched it, 15 or 20 minutes, it did not move, except to reposition its head and occasionally raise its head slightly so the rusty/red on the neck was visible. The bird's eyes were closed as much as they were open. Unless the bird was having a very slow morning or just being lazy, it was acting like it wasn't feel very well.

Eric Huish (25 Oct 2007) - This morning Grant Jense called to tell me that he found a White-winged Dove in our neighborhood on his morning walk. The bird was with some Eurasian Collard-Doves at about 350 N 500 E Pleasant Grove. I drove around the area on my way home from work but didn't see any doves.

Carol Gwynn (13 Oct 2007) - The Red-necked Grebe was still at Clegg's Pond in Orem at 8 a.m. this morning. It didn't seem to mind the rain one bit.

Merrill Webb (11 Oct 2007) - This morning, Thursday, I observed a single Red-necked Grebe on Clegg's Pond (as it is known by the locals) in west Orem. To reach the pond take the University Parkway exit off I-15 and turn west. At Geneva Road turn north (right) and proceed to next stop light. Turn west (left) onto Sleepy Ridge Drive (which goes to the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course in west Orem) and travel for less than one mile to Golden Pond Way. Turn left. This road goes past a black metal gate. After two houses on the left turn south (left) onto a dirt road which takes you right down to the pond, which is between the road and the golf course. I had three different grebes in the same field of vision: Clark's, Pied-billed, and the Red-necked for easy comparison...

Dave Hanscom (7 Oct 2007) - The Salt Lake Birders had a surprisingly good morning yesterday at Utah Lake. ...Highlights were: - several hundred waders at the southeast corner of the Provo Airport dike, the majority of which were LB Dowitchers, but several Pectoral Sandpipers were in the mix, along with Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Avocets, one lone Black-necked Stilt, Caspian and Forster's Terns, Green-winged Teal, Black-crowned Night-heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk, etc (but no Merlin) - west of the frontage road between the two Springville exits were Great and Snowy Egrets, and more than 100 Sandhill Cranes flying in and feeding in the fields...

Eric Huish (7 Oct 2007) - Tuula Rose, Larry Draper and I saw a Great Egret fly over at the southeast corner of the airport dike this morning. Tuula and I also got a look at what appeared to be a very dark Peregrine Falcon fly by. All the dowitchers, yellowlegs, avocets and gulls took off off the mudflat and started swirling around in crazy frenzied flocks. We knew there was something there but didn't see the falcon 'till it was past us.

Sep 2007

Milt Moody (23 Sep 2007) - Eric reported a Common Tern at the Airport Dike on Friday. Tuula saw one on Saturday morning and I saw two on Sunday Morning about 9:30 AM. They were at the edge of the water on the southeast corner of the Airport Dike.

Milt Moody (20 Sep 2007) - About 4:40 PM Thursday, 20 Sep 2007 Eric Huish found a Stilt Sandpiper at the Provo Airport Dike between the southeast corner and the southeast corner of the south extension.

Kris Purdy (8 Sep 2007) - Keith Evans and Jack Rensel saw a bird they were very sure was a Great-crested Flycatcher on the dirt frontage road about 100 yards north of the entrance to Camelot Woods in Utah County yesterday afternoon. They saw a large flycatcher that they described as obviously from the Myiarchus genus fly out from a Russian Olive, chasing a bug. The bird had a bright yellow belly and a strong demarcation between the yellow belly and the gray of the upper breast. The bird retreated into the olive and they were unable to locate it again...

Aug 2007

Larry Draper (7 Aug 2007) -  The Green Heron is still hanging around the dead tree at the south east corner of the Provo Airport dike (not the extreme south east corner of the extension, just the south east corner). It was sighted about 12:15 p.m. this afternoon as I ate my lunch.

Jul 2007

mdpack@juno.com - 9:30 am July 31. Alison and I saw a Green Heron on the canal side of  the Airport dike just past the first south east corner. It was in a dead tree preening just above the water.

Jun 2007

Connie Norheim (24 Jun 2007) - Bill Fenimore had suggested we try Bridal Veil Falls in Provo for our lifer Black Swifts. We struck out on the first attempt... We were successful however at finding the Black Swifts on our return trip this morning at 6:15. We watched about 10 or 12 of them fly around above the top of the cliff above the highest waterfall, with the blue sky behind them.

Lu Giddings (4 Jun 2007) - I had a chance to make a quick trip up Payson Canyon late yesterday afternoon. About six or so Purple Martins were seen in their usual nesting spot about five miles beyond the Santaquin Canyon turn-off, along with a single tree swallow and a number of violet-green swallows. A pair of Three-toed Woodpeckers were seen and heard about 1.1 miles down the Mona Pole Canyon road, essentially at the point where a large snow bank currently blocks the road.

May 2007

Milt Moody - (4 May 2007) - Reed Stone reported 2 Purple Martins in the Palmyra / Lake Shore area at about 4100 West on 5400 South (Between the Peacock place and the corner). This is located south and a bit east of the geodesic dome home if you're familiar with that interesting landmark.

Apr 2007

Cheryl Peterson (27 Apr 2007) - Bonnie Williams and I had a great morning. We saw Solitary Sandpiper, Blue-winged Teal, Great Egret, Wilson's Phalarope, Franklin's Gull, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Mockingbird, Cattle Egret and Sandhill Crane at Swede Lane.

Feb 2007

Dr. Wayne H. Whaley (20 Feb 2007) - On Monday 19 Feb. while on a hawk watching trip with ornithology students we saw several what appeared to be Eurasian Collared-Doves near Lake Shore along SR 147 and vicinity. They were relatively common around dwellings.

Colby Neuman (19 Feb 2007) - We then walked the path that follows the shoreline to the north of Utah Lake SP. We did find at least two Cackling Geese that were mixed in with a large flock of Canada Geese in the fields to east of the pathway.

Jan 2007

Ned Bixler (16 Jan 2007) - This afternoon, while walking the Skipper Bay Trail, I saw the Swamp Sparrow. It was about 1/2 way down the trail. The bird was sitting along side the trail, out in the open. White-crowned, and song sparrows were also in large numbers along the trail.

Jack Binch (13 Jan 2007) - I was scoping gulls at Lee Kay this morning when Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld pulled up. They asked me if I wanted to go chase a Swamp Sparrow. ...One had been found on the CBC in Provo at the end of the Skipper Bay trail. We found it foraging on a little snow covered island just north and west of the trail end. It was on the northwest edge of the little island just outside of the cattails. Be patient, it took us about twenty minutes to see it and another fifteen to get a picture.

Dec 2006

Ned Bixler (27 Dec 2006) - While hiking the Provo River Trail, near Canyon Glen today, I saw a Winter Wren. A very friendly bird. It would fly out, and sit in the open for you to observe.

Lu Giddings (9Dec 2006) - I spent a few hours this morning checking out the south end of Utah county. Noteworthy birds include: - a Northern Shrike at Swede's Lane, - a pair of Great Egrets in the sloughs immediately west of I-15 and between the two Springville exits...  I should also note that I observed 23 Eurasian-collared Doves in a tree in Benjamin.

Sep 2006

Eric Huish (26 Sep 2006) - Milt Moody and I went up to the ‘Squaw Peak Hawk watching Knoll’ today (I’m not sure what this place is called) and saw a lightly marked juvenile Broad-winged Hawk. It came by at about 11:30. It flew in a little below eye level then turned and circled directly over us. Great View!

Lu Giddings (22 Sep 2006) - ...I first stopped at River Lane... There were also 15 Eurasian Collared-Doves perched on the ramshackle barn. - Lincoln Beach was empty of humans but had a fair variety of species... The best birds seen were a semipalmated plover and a Common Tern.

Tuula Rose (9 Sep 2006) - This morning, Sep 9th, the UCB field trip to River Lane (Utah Co.) produced good looks of the female Northern Parula that the Byers first located on August 20th, over three weeks ago. 

Joel and Kathy Beyer (4 Sep 2006) - This morning on River Lane (Utah Co.) I saw what I believe to be a first winter female Mourning Warbler. I was able to clearly see the narrow near-complete eye-ring, olive-gray head, olive back, dull yellowish throat, bright yellow unmarked underparts, and lack of wing bars. The warbler was large and spent the entire view time skulking in the bushes, non-responsive to pishing, and after a few minutes it melted away and an hour of searching did not relocate it. I dismissed an immature MacGillivray's due to the lack of both eye-ring arcs and hooded appearance. The warbler was seen about halfway down the dirt lane (~200 yards further than the Parula location), river side.

Glenn Barlow (4 Sep 2006) - On Saturday morning Merrill Webb and I went south to bird Piute County. On the way south, along I-15, we saw numerous Swainson’s Hawks along the way. The big surprise was a Broad-winged Hawk flying east to west right over the front of the truck, between Payson and Santaquin. Merrill had just passed another vehicle, so it was not possible to stop right away, but we compared it to the pictures in Kaufman’s field guide (more on this later), and both agreed that is what it was.

Aug 2006

Cheryl Peterson (30 Aug 2006) - This morning at 11:00 am., I saw an American Bittern just a short distance north of the Southwest corner of Airport Dike. I took several pictures before a plane flew over and flushed it. I last saw it flying south over the marshy area at the Southwest corner.

Jack Binch (26 Aug 2006) - Bob Huntington, Bob McDougal and I went to River Lane this morning. We saw Colby about five minutes after he saw the parula. ...Anyway we saw a lot of birds. MacGillivray's Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, Barn Owl, Common Nighthawk, Yellow-breasted Chat, Spotted Towhee, Blue Grosbeak male and female, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Western Tanager. I probably will remember a couple more when I hit send. Yep, Virginia's Warbler.

Tim Avery (26 Aug 20006) - I just recieved a call from Colby Neuman who along with another birder located a female Northern Parula at River Lane. The bird was near where the Beyer's located one last week.

Joel and Kathy Beyer (20 Aug 2006) - This morning at River Lane (Utah Co.) there was a nice mixed flock of migrants, the best being an adult female Northern Parula. ...The Parula was first seen at 8:30 a.m., and was later relocated about 10:00 a.m., just in time for the Summerfields to arrive and see it. The Parula and others were seen about a quarter of the way down the portion of lane (tree-lined dirt road) that parallels the river. Also seen was a Peregrine Falcon harassing a Snowy Egret at the river mouth, and a singing Blue Grosbeak at the beginning of the tree-lined section (where the buried cattle guard is).

Jul 2006

Carol Nelson (11 Jul 2006) - Saturday on a ride up the Nebo loop, I found three Three-toed Woodpeckers playing in a dead tree next to the parking lot at the old Nebo Bench trailhead. I think the trailhead is now called something like Monument.

May 2006

Lu Giddings (27 May 2006) - Yesterday I decided to see if the snow had melted sufficiently to make it possible to check on the Nebo loop purple martins. ...Many swallows were present yesterday and it was fun to watch them play on the wind. Most were violet-green and tree swallows, but there was a small but unmistakable contingent of Purple Martins present. I noticed that two white four-hole nest boxes have been secured to trees in the nesting grove that I do not think were present last Spring. I did not notice the birds using the nest boxes but did not want to wait around too long in case I was disturbing them, nor did I venture down off the road and into the grove to check.

Jack Binch (20 May 2006) - There was a Least Tern on the Provo Airport Dike this evening about 6:00 PM. It was on the east side along the canal before the extension. It flew out over the lake a few times also. The spot is marked with a chartreuse ribbon.

Matt Williams (14 May 2006) - Last year, I found a Northern Waterthrush in the vicinity of the Kunhi Wetlands in Provo on 5/7/2005. Yesterday, my wife and I went for a walk in the same location and despite the relative scarcity of migrants, we saw a Waterthrush (extremely probably Northern) at the same location. It did not sing and I didn't have great looks but it was there bobbing its behind and amazingly in almost the exact same spot as the bird(s) last year. Talk about reliable migrants. This is apparently a good week for that species.

LeIla Ogden (4 May 2006) -  Today, (Thurs) 11.a.m. A Blue-wing Teal was seen at the marshes (flooded grassland) on the way to Lincoln Beach. It was in with many other shore birds and waders at a big turn just before the road turns and goes west to the big trees.

Milt Moody (3 May 2006) - Merrill just reported 3 Sanderlings at the Utah Lake SP. They were just north of a new gate that has been put up at the beginning of the new south jetty which is now submerged (nice planning).

Apr 2006

(22 Apr 2006) - Tuula Rose reported seeing a Grasshopper Sparrow on 4000 West Lake Shore along the road just south of the observation tower.

(21 Apr 2006) - Bonnie Williams called to report that she got a call from John Lersch who reported that there was a Possible White-tailed Kite seen down at River Lane (Utah County). I don't have much information but if you are in the area keep an eye out and let us know if you see anything.

Lu Giddings (20 Apr 2006) - A Great Egret was seen flying over the Salem sewage treatment facility, and five cattle egrets were seen in the wetlands more or less directly across the road.

Cheryl Peterson (2 Apr 2006) - Steph and I saw a Common Grackle in the northeast corner of the airport dike. There was a Sage Thrasher there, also.

Mar 2006

KC Childs (28 Mar 2006) - Josh Kreitzer gave me a heads up that there were Bohemian Waxwings at BYU still. I found one with a large flock of Cedars where he told me to look. It was on the south and west side of the X building just west of the Art Museum...

Tom Williams (23 Mar 2006) - The Varied Thrush is still foraging in the same area near the BYU botany pond. I saw it about 8:00 this morning.

Milt Moody (18 Mar 2006) - There are lots of birds in the flooded fields by Skipper Bay trail, especial down where the Osprey platforms are. There were a lot of Canada Geese with a few Snow Geese and I think a Ross's Goose as well -- judging from the size at a medium distance...

Feb 2006

KC Childs reports seeing a Greater White-fronted Goose with the Snow/Ross's Geese at Saratoga Springs.  They were along the lake by the 'golf course subdivision'. (2/25/06 - 2:30pm).

Josh Kreitzer (23 Feb 2006) - The Varied Thrush found several weeks ago near BYU's botany pond is still persisting as of yesterday, 22 Feb. 2006. I found it west of the steps from the brick walkway after Nate Nye mentioned he'd seen it earlier in the day. It was up the hillside scratching in the dead leaves like the robin flock it seems to have adopted. It took me very little time to find the thrush initially, but it took several minutes to get a better look. (What a beautiful bird!)

Josh Kreitzer (23 Feb 2006) - I made it up to Saratoga Hills this morning and relocated the white geese my sister-in-law Linda Fleming had reported earlier this week. I got fairly close views. There were around 30+ white geese along with many Canada. I saw several bluish-bill-based Ross's Geese among taller, longer-necked, grin-patched Snows. The birds were just north of the backyard fence line on the northeast edge of Saratoga Hills development (west of Redwood Road and south of the Smith's shopping center west of Lehi.) You can view the geese between the houses from the sidewalk. It seems like they forage there in the morning sometime between 8 and 10 AM. (I saw the flock in the evening around 5PM in the fields north of Saratoga Springs. They were so far from any road at that location, I would have needed a really good scope to see which species they were.)

Lu Giddings (11 Feb 2006) - A Northern Shrike was seen on the Airport dike road at 10:30 a.m. this morning, about 125 yards south of the new airport tower. It was first observed in the top of a tree on the west side of the road. After a few minutes it flew across the road and perched in the upper boughs of a tree on the east side of the road.  The juvenile swan that was first reported shortly after Thanksgiving is again being seen in the small residential pond in Salem at which it was first reported... I believe that it is, as has been previously reported, a Trumpeter Swan, especially after spending an hour or so last weekend watching juvenile tundra swans out at Fish Springs.

Josh Kreitzer (3 Feb 2006) Nate Nye located a Varied Thrush on the campus of Brigham Young University at 9AM on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006.  After Nate told me where to look, I went out with my wife, Cary, and our daughter, Eva. We relocated the beautiful male thrush this afternoon, Friday, around 4:30PM. It was by itself but loosely associated with a number of robins (about 10) in the cottonwoods and smaller trees NE of Botany Pond near the brick path that leads East-West...

Jan 2006

Joshua Kreitzer (25 Jan 2006) - I located a beautiful adult Bohemian Waxwing amidst a large feeding flock of  Cedar Waxwings on BYU's Provo campus this afternoon. ...the flock was located just SE of the Widtsoe Building in the juniper and pine on the north side of the road that climbs the hill up to BYU campus.

Dennis Shirley (25 Jan 2006) - Last evening I found a Great Egret south of Provo, between the two I-15 Springville exits. It was feeding in the canal which runs west/northwest from the freeway towards Utah Lake and the closed down Wild Wings Hunting Club....Then take one of the westward roads and work your way to the next canal crossing. The egret was west of here...

Lu Giddings (4 Jan 2006) - At 1:30 p.m. today I spotted a juvenile Trumpeter Swan on a small pond at 400 N and Main Street in Salem. This is the same location where two juvenile trumpeters were seen by Dennis and Bryan Shirley and myself last November, so presumably this may be one of the same two birds. Remember that the pond and the land surrounding it is all private property.

Carol Davis (1 Jan 2006) - ...Flowserve ponds (around 1:00 pm maybe). Alongside the road that leads back to the main stop sign, on the right, was a Great Egret. I had to do a double-take on that one. I watched it fish the area, stretching out that lonnnnng neck, for about 10 minutes and then it took off to the east--black feet in tow. That's the closest I've ever been to one.

Dec 2005

KC Childs (28 Dec 2005) - I started my morning at Aspen Grove where I found a Utah County First for me. I saw 10 Pine Grosbeaks just above the amphitheatre at the trailhead to Timpanogas. I was above it though on the Stewart Falls trail...I then came back to my condo here in Provo and I have a Green-tailed Towhee feeding underneath my feeders. Great day of birding anyhow.

Bryan Shirley (21 Dec 2005) - Yesterday afternoon my dad & I went and saw the Mew Gull in Orem. All the ice is off the lake now, but we easily located the gull in with about 20 R.B. Gulls. Just as we were leaving Pomera and friends showed up and apparently they were unable to locate the gull so it may be moving around a bit since there is more open water now. On the way home I stopped to look at the ducks at Flow Serve in Springville and there was 1 Ross' Goose there. Nobody got one on our bird count on Saturday, but this will add 1 species for the count week.

Jack Binch (19 Dec 2005) - Bob and I went after the Mew Gull this morning...the bird is in the northwest inlet...We got it at 10:30.

KC Childs (17 Dec 2005) - While doing the Christmas Bird Count in Provo today, Josh Kreitzer and myself saw an adult Mew Gull in the pond behind the Orem Sewer Treatment Plant... It was very active and kept to himself. It would sometimes go in the inlet in the pond. Also there were Least Sandpipers and Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs at the pond. Also a winter Cinnamon Teal and Black-crowned Night Heron...Also of note we saw a White-throated Sparrow in the old Geneva Steel Property. It was active moving all around the brush, not to stay in one place...

Lu Giddings (10 Dec 2005) - I observed a Northern Shrike on River Lane in Utah county this morning at about 10 a.m. It was seen in the top of a tree on the far side of the river about 3/4 of the way beyond the cattle grate on the way to Sandy beach. A northern shrike was also observed yesterday at Farmington Bay, about mid-way between the three gates parking area and the first bridge. A loggerhead shrike was also seen in the area and provided an opportunity for comparison.

Lu Giddings (10 Dec 2005) - At 8:45 a.m. this morning I spotted a pair of juvenile swans on Salem Pond across from the short fishing dock erected in the park earlier this year. They appeared to be Trumpeter Swans and are probably the same pair spotted in Salem last Sunday evening. I returned at 1 p.m. this afternoon and observed them in approximately the same place. While watching them I also observed a male Barrow's Goldeneye swimming with a large mixed flock of ducks on the far side of the pond...

Eric Huish (6 Dec 2005) - I went for a short hike yesterday up Dry Canyon (Linden, Ut Co.). About 1/4 mile up (before you get to the main cliffs) I found a Winter Wren working the roots and weeds and stuff at the bases of the oak trees near the stream.

Lu Giddings (4 Dec 2005) - At about 4:30 p.m. I spotted two juvenile Trumpeter Swans swimming on a small pond in Salem. The identification was based principally on head shape, the shape of the forehead where the bill inserts, and bill color as described in Sibleys. Not 100% certain of my identification, I called Dennis Shirley and he and Bryan drove down. We managed to get a few more good looks before it became too dark to continue. Collectively we were mostly convinced that the birds were indeed juvenile trumpeters but still not 100% certain. If you'd like to take a look at them you can hopefully find them on a small pond at 400 N and Main Street in Salem. Note that the pond and the land surrounding it is all private property. You can see much of the pond from the streets on the south and west of it. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that the birds are still present and cooperative.

Nov 2005

Lu Giddings (26 Nov 2005) - A drake Hooded Merganser was seen at 8:45 a.m. at the north end of Salem Pond. It was swimming by itself about 100 yards southwest of the boat ramp. There were not many other wild ducks on the pond.

Jack Binch (19 Nov 2005) - Bob Huntington and I braved one last trip around the Nebo Loop today. Our target was a Northern Pygmy-Owl, and darned if we didn't find one. It is snow packed and a little scary. We did not go quite to the top. We found a turnaround close to the top and played a call at several of the heavy pine stands on the way down. Got a return call and chased probably three that were calling back before finally finding one. And finally is an appropriate word.

Oct 2005

Cheryl Peterson (30 Oct 2005) - The Greater White-fronted Goose is at East Bay this morning. I also saw a Canada Goose with a mostly white face and splotchy neck.

Tuula Rose - Bonnie Williams just called me (11:45 am Sun Oct 23 2005) and reported seeing a White-throated sparrow at her feeders in Mapleton. It is the tan-striped variety. You are welcome to come and try for it.

Lu Giddings - Yesterday (10/21) at about 11 a.m. a Three-toed Woodpecker was spotted from the parking lot of the Nebo Bench trail on the Nebo loop, about 27 miles southeast of Payson...

Tuula Rose (20 Oct 2005) - Dunlin it is - Milt was right. I went back to the Airport Dike this afternoon after he told me about the dark legs. Cheryl Peterson, Josh Kreitzer and Bonnie Williams were already there with their scopes poised and testified to the fact, and I could see for myself. Good catch, Milt. (Actually I'm happy it turned out to be a dunlin, since that adds a new species to my Utah Co. list).

Cheryl Peterson (8 Oct 2005) - I couldn't find the Green Heron, but I found a possible juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose in the big pond. It has the same markings as the one in the Sibley's guide. Tuula called and said she and Milt think it is a Greater White-fronted goose. Let us know if you see it and disagree. It seems to be hanging out with the Canada Geese.  They also saw the Green Heron. If I understand correctly, it was in the trees across from the pond and they flushed it when they pulled into the parking lot.

KC Childs (8 Oct 2005) - This afternoon I found a immature Green Heron in Springville. It was near the Flowserve Ponds. To get there take the first Springville exit if your heading southbound on I-15. Head east when you get off of the exit, go past the first light and the Flying J and Maverick gas stations. Turn right on the second light which is posted as 1100 west. Also called Mountain Springs Parkway. Drive down this road almost until you get to the stop sign and T in the road. It was catching fish on the pond on the right/west side of the road. It was awesome to see. I watched it catch a fish and swallow it whole. Watched it for about 20 minutes. What a bird.

KC Childs (3 Oct 2005) - I went down to the Provo Airport Dike this afternoon...at the southeast corner of the airport dike... There was a large number of shorebirds...including hundreds of Dowitchers, Baird's Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Western Sandpiper, Killdeer, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt and White-faced Ibis. Also a Pacific race Merlin was also at the corner of the dike...Right before you get to the southwest corner in the marshes in the lake was a Horned Grebe almost in winter plumage with still some red on his neck.

Sep 2005

Tuula Rrrrose - Sunday Sept. 25, 2005 about 12:30 pm walking downstream from the Oxbow parking lot on the Provo River Walkway I encountered a large flock of about 20 Common Grackles... I was just thinking that I have never seen so many common grackles in one place when on the way back, leaving this group behind me I heard way ahead of me another raucous flock of at least twice the size, maybe 40-50 birds judging from the noise level. They were high in the cottonwood trees moving ahead of me all the way back to the parking lot . Felt like being in a Hitchcock movie.

Lu Giddings (10 Sep 2005) - This morning three Pectoral Sandpipers were seen in the tall grass at the north end of Lincoln Beach, where the "beach" runs into the south embankment that helps form the small harbor and loading ramp. There was also a pectoral sandpiper seen at the edge of the grass at the far south end of the beach where the mud flats are found and a steam of water seems to inlet. In addition, several hundred western sandpipers, a few Baird's and least sandpipers, killdeer, five semipalmated plovers, Wilson's snipe, American avocets, black-necked stilts, greater yellowlegs, white-faced ibis, snowy egrets, Virginia rails, western and Clark's grebes, American coots, ring-billed gulls, California gulls, and a single group of 48 caspian terns were also observed.

Aug 2005

KC Childs (17 Aug 2005) -  I went up to the Nebo Loop today to look for the Three-toed Woodpeckers at the Nebo Bench Trail.... Before arriving to Nebo Bench trailhead near the Santaquin Canyon overlook was a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk. There was a Red-tail near by for size and other comparison. I got terrific looks at this bird, and am very confident in my identification. ...Also at Nebo Bench trailhead saw several Three-toed Woodpeckers which was a first that I have seen in Utah County...

Jack Binch (14 Aug 2005) - The Yellow-billed Cuckoo that was reported at River Lane is still there and in the same area. Steve and Cindy Summerfeld, Tuula Rose and I heard it first and then had it fly over us for a couple of pretty good looks.

Jul 2005

Eric Huish (20 July 2005) - Aaron, Milt and I ran up Payson Canyon to the Nebo Bench Trailhead this morning ...There is a couple Three-toed Woodpeckers hanging out around the first clearing down the Nebo Bench Trail, we got some great looks at them and got to hear them drum. We also saw a male Pine Grosbeak perch at the top of a small dead aspen long enough for us to get excellent looks.

(15 July 2005) - Aaron Smith reported a Yellow-billed Cuckoo on River Lane this morning at about 9:30. It was located about 50 feet down from a pipe (you can hear the water) that empties into the river which is about a 100 yard down from the cattle grating at the beginning section of River Lane that goes along the river just before it empties into Utah Lake...

Flora M. Duncan (9 Jul 2005) -  Tintic Mountain Field Trip...Of the twenty-nine species, several birders had lifers for Utah County or lifers for Utah. Some of the first sightings for some are: Sage Thrasher, Gray Verio, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Gray Flycatcher. Of special interest were four Canyon Wrens close to the road...

Nicky Davis (10 Jul 2005) - Thanks to Jack Binch's directions, my husband and I were able to see the Purple Martin this morning at Nebo Loop. We even saw the male bring food to the nesting cavity once. We couldn't see anyone inside but he appeared to be feeding someone in there...

Jun 2005

Lu Giddings (16 June 2005) - About a dozen Purple Martins were observed perching in the aspen and on the wing about 5.5 miles above the Santaquin Canyon road at 7 a.m. this morning. The male-female ratio was about 1:2. The road is now open 5.25 miles above the Santaquin Canyon road; the drift that currently blocks further passage will probably be negotiable in 4-7 days and possibly sooner...

May 2005

Joel and Kathy (20 May 2005) - Thursday, three Purple Martins flying over River Lane (west of Springville).

(12 May 2005) - Reed Stone just reported seeing a Least Tern at Utah Lake State Park. He said it was on the new south jetty. The State Park is at the west end of Provo's Center Street.

Jack Binch (8 May 2005) -...we went to River Lane and Dave Hanscom helped us find a White-throated Sparrow he had seen earlier. Seems quite late but it was there....

Matt Williams (7 May 2005) - There was at least one and possibly another Northern Waterthrush on the north side of the Kunhi Wetlands, along the little channel that runs just north of the trail. This is all South of the East Bay Golf Course...

Tuula Rose (7 May 2005) - The Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Bonnie Williams' back yard is hanging around and has been seen several times today Sat 5/7. Every other bird you can imagine is also hanging around her glorious back yard habitat...

Tuula Rose (6 May 2005) - Bonnie Williams just called me (Fri 5.6.05 at 5:50 pm) after seeing a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at her feeders in Mapleton. It flew and had not come back in the next 45 minutes. If you want to chase, give her a call at 801-489-5762 to see if it came back plus directions to her house.

(5 May 2005) - Merrill Webb reported a Black Phoebe at the mouth of Diamond Fork Canyon in Spanish Fork Canyon. A Lewis's Woodpecker was seen in the same area and a Yellow-breasted Chat was seen further up the canyon. The phoebe was near a pond on the east side of the road just as you turn into Diamond Fork Canyon from Hwy 6 going up Spanish Fork Canyon.

Apr 2005

Matt Mills - A trip down to Utah Lake state park ...(April 25th) yielded a few spring migrants...there was a single American Tree Sparrow on the rocks along the southeast side of the dike.

 Tuula Rose (19 April 2004) - I saw a Blue-winged Teal and seven Snowy Plovers at Lincoln Beach ...about noon.

Lu Giddings (16 April 2005) - This morning I spotted a Solitary Sandpiper foraging by itself in the wetlands formed by the rising lake waters along the northwest corner of the dike...

Tuula Rose - Reed Stone just reported seeing two Great Egrets at the Airport Dike (Sat. April 9th, 9:00 am, Provo, UT Co.) They were quite a ways out from the southwest corner of the new extension.

Edson Leite (10 April 2005) - The Varied Thrush was still present at 12:40 in the backyard of the house just north of Provo Canyon Park.

Ned Hill - The male Varied Thrush continues at its previous location in Provo. It was heard at 6:30 a.m. this morning, April 6th. To reach the site, go north on Iroquois Drive from the LDS Temple property. At 2620 North, turn east (the northern border of Rock Canyon Park). The road “T’s” at Foothill Drive. 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 the sidewalk.

Josh Kreitzer (3 April 2005) - My wife, Cary, and I went looking for the Varied Thrush this morning around 10:30AM. After a little while, my wife located the bird in a short fir tree just across the street from the gray "gazebo" it had previously been seen at. (There's a nice green lawn there, and behind the lawn a couple of short fir trees). [Rock Canyon Park area, Provo]

Lu Giddings (2 April 2005) - A Blue-winged Teal (drake) was seen in pond immediately north of Olson's Nursery in Salem at 6 p.m. yesterday evening.

Tuula Rose - Friday April 1st, 2005 1:00 pm I saw a nice breeding plumaged Horned Grebe on Utah Lake, UT Co. 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 (columnar poplar?) 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.

Mar 2005

Tuula Rose (30 Mar 2005) - The Varied Thrush that Ned Hill reported hearing a couple of mornings ago was heard again on Tuesday and seen on Wednesday (3.30.05, 9am) in the same area in the northeast corner of Rock Canyon Park (NOT Rock Canyon Trailhead Park where we usually go birding) in Provo...

Ned Hill (28 Mar 2005) - This morning as my wife and I were walking in Rock Canyon Park in Provo—specifically near a residence on the northeast corner of the picnic area—we heard the distinct sound of a Varied Thrush. It made several of its monotone call at various pitches. We heard it both at 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 am. While there have been regular reports of Varied Thrush in Utah, I have never heard an individual sing. Unfortunately, I did not have my binoculars with me and I was unable to locate the bird. I don’t know of any other bird that makes that distinctive call.

Josh Kreitzer (18 Mar 2005) - My wife, Cary, and I observed a dainty Winter Wren at Canyon Glen Park in Provo Canyon, likely in the same area KC Childs observed it not too long ago. We parked, crossed the river and the restrooms, turned left onto the paved path and a ways down, on the right, in a thicket behind a pool of water we found it...

Eric Huish (14 Mar 2005) - I went to the American Fork Boat Harbor today. There was a lot of waterfowl in the bay East of the boat harbor including Greater Scaup, a Snow or Ross's Goose (to far and windy to tell) and a Canvasback.

Lu Giddings (5 Mar 2005) - Drove the Provo airport dike early this afternoon. ...There were three Sage Sparrows mixed with a group of white-crowned sparrows south of the new control tower...

Tim Avery (4 Mar 2005) - On my way back from Delta today, I located 4 Eurasian Collared-Doves in the pine trees along Main Street in front of the LDS Church in Genola, UT.

Feb 2005

Glenn Barlow (28 Feb 2005) - Went to Provo Canyon on Saturday, with the intent to locate the Winter Wren previously reported...I was able to locate the wren just west of Canyon Glen Campground. Got some great looks, as it came very close to the trail.

Eric Huish (28 Feb 2005) - Grant and I ran out to LeBarron Point...we saw many American Tree Sparrows out at the end of the road on the point north of LeBarron, Prairie Falcon, Say's Phoebe, Chucker, and Bald Eagles along the road south of Lincoln Point and we saw a Northern Shrike on River Lane.

Dennis Shirley (26 Feb 2005) - ...I made a quick trip around Lincoln Point and the south end of Utah Lake. In the bay just north of Lebaron's Point, on the west side of West Mountain, a large raft of ducks were concentrated and feeding. It was made up mainly of Northern Pintail, with a sprinkling of Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Cinnamon Teal, American Wigeon, and one Eurasian Wigeon. It was a striking adult male in full plumage and fairly easy to pick out. I used a scope and simply parked along side the highway...

Amanda Williams (23 Feb 2005) - ...at the very end of my walk at my own house [around 500 north and 750 west in Provo]. We had four Red Crossbills – three males and one female - in the junipers next to our house. My husband was so jealous.

(22 Feb 2005) - Merrill Webb reported seeing a flock of 50 to 60 Black Rosy-Finches, high up in Rock Canyon at about 11:30 AM Tuesday Morning. The flock flew north and could have gone around to the face of the mountain.

Lu Giddings (16 Feb 2005) - Today at around 1:30 p.m., Reed Stone observed a Golden-crowned Sparrow on the west side of the Provo airport dike. He said he saw it about 100 yards south of a new tower being built at the airport, keeping company with a flock of white-crowned sparrows as they bathed in a mud puddle in the road.

KC Childs (10 Feb 2005) - I went up Provo Canyon today to look for some birds. I found 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. It was where the water ends and the chain link fence comes back down to the trail...

KC Childs (9 Feb 2005) - Today at the BYU botany ponds located on 900 north in Provo I saw 2 Bohemian Waxwings in a flock of over 100 Cedar Waxwings. They were located up above the pond along the trail that follows the canal...they were located west of the large blue emergency light about 50 yards...

Eric Huish (8 Feb 2005) - I went out to the Provo Airport Dike to look at the Long-eared Owl that was reported from the UCB Field Trip. Cheryl was already there and pointed out the owl for me. A little farther down the road (~70 yards East of the SW corner) we saw a first winter Harris's Sparrow. It was in a bush on the north side of the dike calling loudly. It then flew over the road and shortly after that flew to the other side of the marsh.

Leena Rogers (3 Feb 2005) - Kay Stone just called me and said he saw some Red Crossbills at the Provo City Cemetery...

KC Childs (2 Feb 2005) - I ran down to Elk Ridge this afternoon to Dennis Shirley's house. The very first bird I saw as I went in his backyard was the White-throated Sparrow. It was a first for Utah County for me. ...At the ponds in Salem on south side of the main highway there was a Cinnamon Teal amongst a lot of Common Goldeneye and Ring-necked Ducks....I counted 28 Eurasian Collared-Doves on River Lane and 8 Bald Eagles....

Jan 2005

Dennis Shirley (25 Jan 2005) - ...This morning around 9-10am I had a "tan striped" White-throated Sparrow at my backyard feeders. It was mixed in with the usual feeder birds- finches, juncos, house sparrows...

Alton Thygerson (16 Jan 2005) - I saw a Winter Wren on the Provo River Trail (same location as in past years). Park in the Canyon View picnic area's west end. Walk down river (going west), cross over the river, turn left, and walk about 125 yards. The bird was between the trail and the river.

Eric Huish (16 Jan 2005) - ...saw a flock of LARGE waxwings flying around outside my window. When they finally settled in a tree across the street I pulled my scope out of my closet and got great looks at a flock of at least 50 Bohemian Waxwings. They are at a European Mt. Ash tree at about 830 E 100 N in Pleasant Grove (Utah County).

(15 Jan 2005) - Merrill Webb reported a male Barrow's Goldeneye at Lincoln Point (further north and around the bend from Lincoln Beach). He said that there may also be a female in with the Common Goldeneyes.

Brad Wahlin (4 Jan 2005) - I have seen some emails about Cackling Geese lately and two days ago at East Bay golf course there were 4 Cacklers with about 100 Canada geese!! I have seen them pretty frequently through out December and now in to January.

Dec 2004

Bryan Shirley (5 Dec 2004) - ...in East Bay. I should have posted this earlier, but there was a great Cackling Goose in with all the canadas. You could pick it out with your bare eye due to the size. It also had a great white patch under the black on the neck (like shown in sibley)

Leila Ogden (5 Dec 2004) - Sunday afternoon. I have Bohemian waxwings (7+) in my back yard. High in the Neighbor's tree. 198 West 1700 So. Orem . . . . . Don't know how long they will stay around.

Dennis Shirley (2 Dec 2004) - Today about noon I found a Cackling Goose at the mouth of the Provo River at the Utah Lake State Park. It was in a flock of 50 or so Canada's. I think it was B. c. minimus, due to it's extremely small size,short neck, small stubby bill, and lack of any neck collar. I guess it could have been B. c. hutchinsinii but either way it was a "little honker"...

Nov 2004

Eric Huish (30 Nov 2004) - I saw Black and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches today along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Orem near the North Rim of the Mouth of Provo Canyon...

Larry Draper - ... I saw an immature Harris's Sparrow on Saturday (13 Nov. 04) about 2:00 pm. It was on River Lane just as the dirt road meets the Spanish Fork River, about 75 feet before you get to the cattle guard as you are heading west toward the lake. It was in the trees with a group of White crowned sparrows on the north side of the dirt road. After watching awhile it flew south across the road and across the river...

Oct 2004

Reed Stone (20 Oct 2004) - Three Great  Egrets in the moat west of the south extension of the Provo Airport dike Tuesday, Oct. 19th 2:00 PM.

Bryan Shirley (18 Oct 2004) - I just got back from Evergreen Cemetery in Springville. There are Evening Grosbeaks in most of the trees. I counted over 40 in one tree before they all flew to another tree. It was really fun to see that many. I think that 100 would be a conservative estimate...

Glenda Cotter (18 Oct 2004) - ...On Sat. at approximately 5:00 p.m. we observed a Blue Jay in the southeast corner of Evergreen Cemetery in Springville. We got good looks at it for about 10 minutes, but when last seen it was flying south and away?  Also observed: a flock of 9-12 Evening Grosbeaks, 5 or 6 Juniper Titmice, and 2 Townsend's Solitaires...

Matt Williams (13 Oct 2004) - At about 5:00pm today (Wed.), my wife alerted me to some interesting birds in the trees near my humble tube feeder here in Provo. I ran out to find at least 5 Evening Grosbeaks with at least 2 nice males. I'm on the west side of town, a little ways south of the Provo River...

Matt Williams - Today (10/6), my wife and I hiked up to Big Springs up South Fork Canyon off the Provo Canyon. On the way back, we stopped to look at a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and, out of nowhere, a nice adult male Black-throated Blue Warbler appeared close enough to ID without binoculars. This was at about noon. Once I was over the shock, I saw it in my binoculars. Beautiful bird. ...Location: From the National Forest Access in South Fork Canyon, we parked in the upper lot. The bird was seen nearly 0.5 mile up the fire road (not the singletrack)....

(5 Oct 2004) - Dennis Shirley found a Golden-crowned Sparrow on the road going to Santaquin Canyon. The bird was with 3 White-crowned Sparrows in some Rabbit Brush along a chain link fence going around a water facility (?) on the left side of the road between where the road goes under I-15 and the mouth of the canyon.

Tuula - I saw the Palm Warbler around 2:30 pm, Tuesday Oct 5th, while looking for the Golden-crowned Sparrow Dennis reported at the mouth of Santaquin Canyon (Utah County). It appeared to be a non-breeding adult of the brown (Western) race. It was flitting around in a cottonwood in a group of yellow-rumps, orange-crowns and kinglets and I watched it for a couple of minutes and had good looks at all angles noting the white supercilium and darker stripe through the eye, and the bright yellow undertail coverts, and the black and white tail pattern.

Sep 2004

Steve Sommerfeld - The Yellow-throated Vireo was still on the Provo River Parkway yesterday,30 September in the same area it was seen before. Three of us Bob Huntington, Cindy Sommerfeld and myself watched the bird off and on from about 2:00 untill 3:00. It always seemed to stay in with a bunch of Yellow Rumped Warblers.

Utah Birds - (29 Sept 2004) - Eric Huish spotted a Yellow-throated Vireo along the Provo River Parkway trail about 2 blocks up stream from the parking lot by Utah Lake State Park. Milt Moody also got to see the bird at about 10:30 AM...

Milton Moody (18 Sept 2004) - There were some good birds we found on the field trip. At Utah Lake State Park there were Pectoral Sandpipers, Sanderlings, ...Aaron Smith saw a Common Tern at the mouth of the Spanish Fork River around the beach...

Milton Moody (16 Sept 2004) - I saw what I'm pretty sure is a Zone-tailed Hawk (I've got some pictures and some of them show characteristics of a Common Black Hawk, but I this think it's a Zone-tailed -- both are pretty good birds for Utah County)  [From analysis of the photos, this bird turned out to be a Common Black Hawk -- a significant sighting which stretches  the northern boundary of this species]. It was about 50 yards downstream from the foot bridge across the Provo river on the south bank of the river in a willow tree. It was on a branch over the river, about 20 feet up...

Brooke Snarr (14 Sept 2004) - The White Ibis is still around the 2600 west location just west of the springville exit, generally where it has been seen the past few days. I spotted him Tuesday afternoon, around 1:00 p.m. I spotted him flying alone just north of westbound stateroad 77. He landed on the north edge of the field which is bordered by SR 77 on the south and 2600 west on the east. He is best seen from 2600 west, looking west. Unlike prior postings, he was not mixed with any other birds, but was all alone, actually looking quite lost.

Brad Wahlin (12 Sept 2004) - Today at 2:20 p.m. i saw the White ibis in the same area as was reported yesterday! Go to exit 263 and head west to 2600 w. and turn left, the bird is with about 100 to150 other ibis's on the west side of the road. it is only about 20 yards from the road so you get some very good views of it especially with a camera!!!

Dave Hanscom (11 Sept 2004) - Went down to River Road this morning to see if I could find the yellow-throated warbler. No luck on that score, but I did find a life bird! As I was headed west from I-15, I saw a large flock of ibis circling around to the north. Stopped to take a look and noticed a white one amongst all the blacks. It had a pink bill and black tips on the wings. ...On my way back to the interstate at about noon...the ibis were grazing in the field just across SR-77 from the road to the airport. The White Ibis was there with them, and from that vantage point we could see the pink legs as well...Kent Lewis was also there to enjoy this unusual sighting.

Eric Huish (8 Sept 2004) - Grant, Matt, Bryan and I all saw the Yellow-throated Warbler today (9/8/04 ~9:00 - 10:00 am) at River Lane. It stayed in the same tree for about an hour giving us very close excellent looks. It left the tree twice but would come back to the same tree after a few minutes and was in the tree when I left. ...As you come up from the beach end of the road you’ll see a big round willow tree that’s kind of standing by itself on the left, across the road from an open spot overlooking a bunch of tamarisk along the river. About 100 yards from the beach end of the road.

KC Childs (7 Sept 2004) - ...This morning around 9 A.M. A group of birders got some great looks at a Red-eyed Vireo on River Lane....it was a beautiful bird, seen by everyone who was there at the time...

Tuula Rose (5 Sept 2004 ) - It is still around! A group of six birders saw the Yellow-Throated Warbler again today (Sunday 9/5/04 about 11 am) at River Lane, Ut Co. (to my great relief).  Dana Green and Julie VanMoorhem found it at the end of the road close to the lake and called Pomera Fronce, Lou Giddins and Joel and Kathy Beyer over and they all had good looks at it. Good luck to anyone else trying for this beautiful eastern warbler. ~

Tuula just called me this morning (9/4/04) and told me she seeing a Yellow-throated Warbler at River Lane just past the cattle guard near were the river makes the trickling noise.

Aug 2004

Tuula Rose (22 Aug 2004) - ...I ended up at River Lane... to find seven Salt Lake birders and one fellow UCB member already counting up warblers. A combined effort for about four hours produced eleven (11) species as follows: 1. Yellow, 2. Yellow-rumped, 3. Orange-crowned, 4. Wilson's, 5. Virginia's, 6. Nashville, 7. Townsend's, 8. Black-throated-gray, 9. Common yellowthroat, 10. American Redstart (male and female), 11. Black-and-White.  Most of them were located right after the cattle guard on the right (North) side of the road. They were always close to the chickadees. In addition, plumbeous, Cassin's  and warbling vireos were seen. (For directions to River Lane check "Places to bird" on the website)

Tuula Rose - This morning (Sat 8/21/04 at 10-10:30 am) Merril Webb saw a Zone-Tailed Hawk close to the Utah Lake State Park in Provo. He saw it flying from the big willows along the dirt road that goes left just before the bridge (the airport dike road). It would fly to the field with bailed hay in it and back to the trees again. He said he watched it for about half an hour.

Tuula Rose - Thursday morning (8/19/04 9am) I saw four Stilt Sandpipers at the Utah Lake State Park, or Provo Boat Harbor. They were with two dowitchers, feeding in the same fashion, just west of the boat harbor between the jetties. Also present: lesser & greater yellowlegs, Wilson's phalaropes, least, western and Bairds sandpipers, semipalmated plovers plus all the usuals...

Tuula Rose - Saturday morning (8/14/04 around 10 am) I saw an American Redstart on the Provo River walkway at the Oxbow.... It was an ADULT MALE in beautiful plumage and I got the best close looks ever (outside of Magee Marsh )...

Reed Stone (11 Aug 2004) - ...This afternoon I went out to remove the dead fish from the river behind my house and there on the railing of my pavilion deck perched a Broad-winged Hawk. That was at 3:45. I watched it, out of the corner of my eye, while removing the fish and it allowed me to get within 12 feet of it. It then flew down stream about 100 feet and perched on a horizontal branch over the water. It clearly had the 1/2 inch light terminal band with a wide dark band above it. Then there was the unmistakable wide white band...

Tuula Rose (3 Aug 2004) - A couple of weeks ago I saw a suspicious looking mourning dove land and disappear into a tree by my work in south Orem. Yesterday one sat on a telephone line at the corner of 1000 S and Orem Boulevard but I did not get a good look before it flew off. This morning walking to the mailbox by the office, I saw a pair in the same spot and could ID them as Eurasian Collared Doves...

Joel and Kathy Beyer (2 Aug 2004) - With the help of Dennis Shirley, we heard and saw the male Indigo Bunting on River Lane about 6:30 Sunday evening.

Milton Moody (1 Aug 2004) - Tuula, Leena and Milt... found an Indigo Bunting on the dirt section of River Lane about 50 yards before you get to the cattle guard. The bird was in the willow trees along the river.

Jul 2004

KC Childs (29 July 2004) - Seven Utah County Birders went out this morning on a field trip to ...Lincoln and LeBarron Points. ...We saw several Snowy Plovers around Lincoln Point. Also at Lincoln Point we saw a good sized flock of Baird's Sandpipers. Also in the area along the road we saw some birds that are not as common to Utah County like Northern Mockingbird, Blue Grosbeak and Sage Thrasher...

Joel and Kathy Beyer (18 July 2004) - The Yellow-billed Cuckoo reported by Mike Monson last Saturday was still at the southwest corner of the Provo Airport Dike this Sunday morning, flying back and forth in the trees there, but never vocalizing.

Reed Stone (15 July 2004) - At 9:30 this morning there was a Great Egret in the moat at thesouth east corner of the Provo Airport Dike.

Jun 2004

Lu Giddings (26 June 2004) - A Great Egret was seen at 2:30 p.m. today at Benjamin slough. The bird could only be seen by standing at the east end of the slough and looking west. This is easiest and safest from the "big bend" in 6400 South, the point at which the road makes a quick swing to the north, marked by a large yellow and black arrow sign.

Sheryl Serrano (11 June 2004) - I just got back from the Provo Airport Dike where I saw a Brown Pelican. It was swimming in the north east corner of the dike just at the corner where the pavement ends...

May 2004

Lu Giddings (27 May 2004) - At least 8-10 Purple Martins were seen at 7:20 a.m. today on the Nebo Loop. Both male and female birds were observed, perching and in flight, in an aspen grove east of the highway about 22 miles outside of Payson and roughly 5.25 miles south of the Santaquin Canyon turn-off. This is the general area in which the birds are commonly seen in summer....

Dennis Shirley (12 May 2004) - The Common Grackles have arrived back at Salem Pond. I saw two males and two females this morning.

Carol Nelson (10 May 2004) - At 3:00 today, I saw the Common Grackle back at my feeders. I guess that means it is back at all its old haunts. Since he's still here 2 hours later, I am hoping he is taking up residence nearby....

Lu Giddings (5 May 2004) - Three Band-tailed Pigeons were seen at 7:30 a.m. yesterday morning. They were on a power line on the west side of I-15 about 400 yards south of the second Spanish Fork exit (#260). This is the vicinity of the tree in which band-taileds were commonly seen until it mysteriously disappeared a few weeks ago.

Mike Monson (2 May 2004) - This morning... saw a possible Broad-winged Hawk on the west side of the airport dike. On the southwest corner of the extension he also saw a Solitary Sandpiper and a Semipalmated Plover.

KC Childs (1 May 2004) - Nine Utah County Birders went on a field trip this morning to the areas around the south end of Utah Lake ... Some of the highlights of the trip included The Snowy Plover at Lincoln Beach...We saw nine Semipalmated Plovers on the beach at the end of River Lane....

Apr 2004

KC Childs (28 April 2004) - This morning 6 Utah County Birders including myself walked Skipper Bay trail and enjoyed a wonderful walk and company. ... Some highlights were a Great Egret that kept flying over the trail...

KC Cilds (8 April 2004) - ...I went to Timpanogas Wastewater Treatment Plant....There was a male and female Blue-winged Teal there as well....Also there are tons of dead carp in the first pond. There were several gulls there eating the carp. I saw one Herring Gull that seemed pretty late for this date to still be here.

Lu Giddings (3 April 2004) - A Blue-wing Teal was spotted at about 5:00 p.m. swimming in Secret Pond
in Goshen.

Mar 2004

(28 March 2004) - Mike Monson reported a Horned Grebe near the Spingville exit of I-15(Exit 265). (I assume the Grebe was in the water in the NW "triangle" of the exchange surrounded by roads).

KC Childs (4 March 2004) - ... I first stopped at the Provo Airport Dike ( Utah County ) where I saw a Sage Sparrow on the east part of the new extension. I ran into Cheryl and she told me she had seen one also on the east/west part of the old dike. She also said she saw a Barrow's Goldeneye at Valtec Ponds. ... in Springville at the pond in front of Flowserve was a male Barrow's Goldeneye....At Utah Lake State Park there was a flock of gulls on the ice between the two jetty's....my eyes were directed to a smaller gull....It looked to be a second winter Mew or Ring-billed Gull. I continued to watch this gull for near an hour as it put its head up and down.... my conclusion is that it is a Second Winter Mew Gull.

Feb 2004

Glenn Barlow (21 Feb 2004) - Alton and I rediscovered the Winter Wren on the left (south) side of the trail, almost to the 4th power pole. I was certainly skulking around! It finally came out to be seen.

KC Childs (21 Feb 2004) - I went around the airport dike this afternoon and to the Utah Lake State Park. There were both Loggerhead and Northern Shrikes on the dike. The Northern Shrike was a 1st winter....At the state park there were 4 American White Pelicans and 9 Bald Eagles. 8 of them were on the ice. ...the possible Mew Gull... got my attention by it's small size flying around the Provo River outlet. It soon landed on a log with a California and Ring-billed Gull. It was very much smaller then both birds. Smaller then the ring-billed. It had a smaller bill that was yellow but did have some black on it, but nothing like the ring-billed. It had a darker iris, not clear like the ring-billed on the log. ...If anyone has any insight that would be great. There were also several Herring Gulls.

Reed Stone (19 Feb 2004) - This morning Alton and Reed got great looks at the Winter Wren. To locate where we saw it go up Provo Canyon to Canyon Glenn. Cross Provo River, watch up and down the river for the Dipper, continue on to the trail and go west, down stream, to the THIRD POWER POLE. there is a chain link gate on right side and the third power pole is on the left.  We found it on the north side and it flew to the south side where we got great looks at it. Check both sides of the trail at the pole.

KC Childs (13 Feb 2004) - Today at Powell Slough I saw a Common Moorhen. It was located at the access area from University Parkway in Orem, Utah County. It was in the open water below the pond. It was on the south side of the pond. Also there were 18 Canvasbacks on the pond behind the Orem Waste Water Treatment Plant...

KC Childs (10 Feb 2004) - There was a Northern Shrike today along the Skipper Bay Parkway near Utah Lake State Park... Also the Cinnamon Teal was still at the Timpanogos Wastewater Treatment plant that was found by Dennis Shirley in January.

Jan 2004

KC Childs (30 Jan 2004) -...We also saw the Eurasion-collared Doves at River Lane. Later in the town of Genola near the LDS Church in town we saw 3 more Eurasion-collared Doves on a haystack. This was only the second area in Utah County that Eric and I have seen EuCoDoves...

Reed Stone (30 Jan 2004) - This morning 1/30/04 at the Timpanogas Sewage Treatment Ponds there were two American White Pelicans. I think in both circumstances these birds will hang around a while...

KC Childs (30 Jan 2004) - I finally got to see the Eurasian Wigeon at Riverside Country Club. It was about my 10th visit, but I finally got wonderful looks at this striking bird. Thanks so much to Carol for spotting it, and everyone keeping the updates on the bird. Also in the pond was a immature male Hooded Merganser.

Eric Huish (24 Jan 2004) - Our field trip started at 8 AM with 14 birders and the Harris's Sparrow at the silage pit and ended around 2 PM with 5 birders and the Eurasian Wigion at Riverside Country Club....

Nicky Davis - On 1-21-04 my husband and I drove down the pole-line road by the Young Family Farm and back through Goshen Canyon looking for the hawks....We saw several Red-tailed, Rough-legged and Ferruginous Hawks, many Kestrel, 3 Northern Harriers...

Carol Nelson (20 Jan 2004) - The Eurasian Wigeon is now on the East Bay Ponds. Dennis Shirley just saw it out in the open. The Snow Goose that is traveling with the Canada Geese is also at East Bay. The Riverside Golf Course ponds are virtually empty today. (Too many workers with their trucks going back and forth.)It appears to us that the flocks travel between the golf course ponds and East Bay....

Carol Nelson (18 Jan 2004) - I thought I might take up birding again this year, and what a way to start. I looked out the kitchen window and there was a Eurasian Wigeon feeding in a flock of American Wigeons. If anyone is interested in it, I will be in and out the next couple of weeks, but will leave my south gate unlocked. If I am not at home, feel free to go through and see what you can find. It is in and out of the two golf course ponds west and a little south of my back yard. If I am here, you are welcome to come inside. I always enjoy being warm when looking at birds. My address is 2831 North Marrcrest West, Provo. Turn west off University at 2900 No. Follow the circle around. Look for a one level red brick home with white shutters situated on the west side of the circle.

Tuula Rose (8 Jan 2004) - Thursday evening I got home from work around 5:30 pm and glancing out of my kitchen window saw a different larger sparrow...I had to go back out to my car to get the binoculars. The bird was still there and lo and behold, it really was a Harris' Sparrow! What an exciting yard bird number 50. It looked more like an immature bird than Dennis' silage pit one in Lakeshore with less black on the throat.

 Dennis Shirley (8 Jan 2004) - This afternoon I saw an immature Peregrine Falcon west of Springville in a dead snag at the last feedlot before the "T" on SR-77. The feedlot is just past the Sweed's Lane turn off.
Earlier in the day, along with one of all the more common wintering ducks, I saw a drake Cinnamon Teal at the Timpanogas Water Treatment facility north of Geneva.
And at Salem Pond, in addition to the previously reported hooded mergansers and wood ducks, there is now a drake Barrow's Goldeneye and possibly a HORNED GREBE. It was getting dark and the grebe was a ways off, but it looked like it could be. I'll try to check again soon. Put the word out if you ID it.

KC Childs (8 Jan 2004) - I went down to Utah Lake State Park today. I stopped and looked at the Wood Ducks near Reed's house in West Provo. I counted 12 of them. At Utah Lake State Park there was a juvenille Northern Shrike and several American Tree Sparrows on the south Jetty. This seems to be a reliable spot for the species. Also Herring Gulls, Ring-billed and California Gulls.

 KC Childs (4 Jan 2004) - I then went to go look for the Yellowlegs that Milt, Tuula and Leena found. I found them at the East Bay pond. They were near the reeds where the water enters. There were about 25 Yellowlegs there, both Greater and Lesser. Also Common Snipe....

Milton Moody (1 Jan 2004) - On the first day of the new year...Tuula, Leena and Milton... went on a little birding excursion and found some amazingly good birds. ...Greater (6) and Lesser (2) Yellowlegs near the "Night-Heron Island" at East Bay.  American Tree Sparrows between the second Springville exite and Swede Lane on the north side of the road in tall bush by the fields. Harris's Sparrow the "Dennis' silage pit" Male Wood Duck at Salem Pond. Hooded Merganser, also at Salem Pond. Female Wood Duck at the pond at Valtec (NW of Springville).

Dec 2003

Alton Thygerson  (27 Dec 2003) - Thanks to Dennis Shirley I saw a Harris's Sparrow on the Spanish Fork River in south Utah County. His posting gave the directions to the silage pit in which the birded was feeding today at 11:30 am. I watched the silage pit for about two hours without success, then after a trip down River Lane where little was seen, I went back to the silage pit where the sparrow came in for a three to five minute look.

Dennis Shirley - On friday, the 26th, during the "Christmas Blizzard" of 2003, I found a Harris's Sparrow, along the Spanish Fork River, west of Springville, Utah County. It was in a mixed sparrow flock of house, song, and white-crowned sparrows, dark-eyed junco's and spotted towhee's. ...The Harris's Sparrow is a striking winter plumaged adult, with a black throat/bib, and buffy face. Hopefully it should stick around for a while.

Nov 2003

(14 Nov 2003) - Julie Van Moorhem and Pomera Fronce reported a Swamp Sparrow in the same location as last year at the Timpanogos WTF near Pleasant Grove. ...The sparrow was right by the fenced corner along the outlet stream.

Oct 2003

Pomera Fronce (23 Oct 2003) - When the new year began, my most desired bird was the Northern Pygmy-Owl. My thirst was quenched today as Alton, Glenn and I went in search of the owl KC and Eric found on Wednesday. [Aspen Grove - Mt. Timpanogos Trailhead area]... The owl came in to within fifteen feet of us and was only ten feet off the ground...

Tony Jones (4 Oct 2003) - Bob Bradley and I birded Provo airport dike and Utah Lake State Park and River Lane this morning. I saw a Chestnut-sided warbler at River lane. The bird was about 100 yards from the cattle guard as you reach the dirt road on River Lane. It was a juvenile bird. It was in the trees just as you come to a small spot on the river that waterfalls. You really can only hear the waterfall, you cannot see it. And it is not really a waterfall but some sort of dripping sound. I hope that helps, it is hard to describe a specific tree and I did not have anything to mark it with.

Sep 2003

KC Childs (9 Sept 2003) - I ran down to Utah Lake State Park this morning to check out the shorebirds. On the south dike at the State Park there were many Pectoral Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Marbled Godwits, Western, Semipalmated and Baird's Sandpipers and others as well.

Ed (4 Sept 2003) - The Green Herons are still out at the Provo Airport dike it was a lifer for me. I have been chasing the little boogers for a while now. The were in that large tree where the road turns west (away) from the ponds.

Aug 2003

Sheryl (22 Aug 2003) - Machelle and I were out at the Provo Airport Dike this morning and were excited to see the Green Heron and a Great Egret.

KC Childs (18 Aug 2003) Yesterday Eric Huish and I ran out to Utah Lake State Park... On the south side of the south Jetty was two Semipalmated Sandpipers, and a Semipalmated Plover. There was a Baird's Sandpiper on the north side of the jetty. Also were both Yellowlegs, dowitchers and Western Sandpipers.

Jay Robertson (16 Aug 2003) - I saw a Green Heron two days ago and today at the Provo Airport Dike. He was west of the extension in the moat.

Tuula Rose - This morning (Su 8.3.03 10am) observed a snowy plover family, mom and three puffballs, at Lincoln Beach. ... River lane was quiet. ... One lonely Eurasian collared-dove on his customary post at the bow of the leaning barn.

July 2003

Merrill Webb - ( 22 July 2003) ...For those of you who haven't already seen a Winter Wren in Utah this year I heard one singing yesterday up American Fork Canyon while I was doing a woodpecker survey for the US Forest Service. Go up American Fork Canyon to the Tibble Fork Reservoir turnoff. Go to the parking lot on the north end of the reservoir. Take the North Fork road, and counting from the edge of the pavement on the northeast corner of the parking lot drive four miles. The stream is on your right.

Kevin Colver - (9 July 2003)... I was recording what I thought from the sound was a Williamson’s Sapsucker on the Nebo loop last Friday but the drumming sequence was somewhat shorter and more intermittent. After waiting and repositioning myself for awhile I was able to watch the bird directly in front of me as she did her drumming. Yes, it was the female, and so I was able to record a female Williamson’s drumming pattern.

Junece Markham - (3 July 2003) ...a neighbor called... about same interesting new birds he had in his yard.... they were Band-tailed Pigeons [3].He lives fairly close to the mouth of Rock Canyon and 2 blocks from me.

June 2003

Tom Williams - Yesterday (Wednesday 6/25) I birded Nebo Loop. Birds were very active but the best sighting was a group of Purple Martins -- one male, several females/juveniles. They were perched in a dead tree 1.1 miles north of the Nebo Bench Trailhead, on the right side of the road if you are going north from the trailhead.

Bryan Shirley - (21 June 2003) We just got back from our UT County birders field trip to Payson Canyon and were successful in locating both a Northern Saw-whet Owl and a Flammulated Owl. We heard the Saw whet at our first stop  and after a short hike into the woods we found it and were able to get great looks at it.  ...Other birds of note were Purple Martins (they are nesting between mile 21 and 22) and a pair of  Red-naped Sapsuckers at the same location.

KC Childs - (7 June 2003) Eric Huish and I woke up early this morning and headed to the Skyline Drive. We started the Skyline Drive at the Tucker Rest Stop Located up Spanish Fork Canyon. We went up and listened for Owls where we were able to hear Flamulated Owls. As Dawn was among us near the radio tower on the Skyline Drive we saw at least 3 Purple Martins including one male. We did find the nest hole as well. Both these birds were on the Utah County side of the Skyline Drive.

May 2003

Julie - (31 May 2003) The Salt Lake Birders field trip to River Lane and the Provo Airport dike produced some good birds for the eight birders who attended. At River Lane a female American Redstart was seen about 50 yard west of two red surveyor's plastic flags on the north side of the road. Be on the lookout for a male American Redstart that might have been around the area, too--not a definite sighting but possible. ... Two Least Terns were seen at the Provo Airport dike road.

Merrill Webb - I found the Least Tern today, Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at the southwest corner of the new Airport extension. I watched it from 1:45 pm to 2:15 pm. The bird is not an adult.

Reed Stone - (26 May 2003) At about 9:45 this morning there was a Least Tern where the north west part of the south extension of the dike connects with the original dike.

Mike Monson - (4 May 2003) reported a Yellow-footed Gull at the west side of the south extension of the Provo Airport Dike. He saw it in the evening and watched it until it was too dark to see.

Apr 2003

Bryan Shirley - (Tue, 29 Apr 2003)  This morning my dad & I saw a Solitary Sandpiper in the Benjamin Slough (along the road to Lincoln Beach). It was in the western end of the slough near the road, but there was an immature Peregrine Falcon harrassing all the birds and so they were moving around a lot. There are also lots of Yellowlegs, mostly Lesser, and other shorebirds around too. Also at Lincoln Beach there are 3 Semipalmated Plovers.

Mark Stackhouse - (Thu, 13 Mar 2003)  ...Anyway, we did see a couple of good birds around the Provo Airport dike road - several Sage Sparrows along the west side, about 300 meters north of the southwest corner. ... We also saw an immature Northern Goshawk in the trees at the eastern corner of where the south extension heads south - it flew off to the east, and was last seen soaring over Springville.

Christian Peay - (Sat, 19 Apr 2003)   Yesteday I spotted a White-Winged Dove near 600 North and 800 West In Orem.

Bryan Shirley - (Thu, 17 Apr 2003)   There is a Great Egret in the moat along the Provo airport dike (I heard about it from A. Thygerson). I saw it this morning at the N.W.corner of the extension. There were also 3 Red-breasted Mergansers there too. At the S.W. corner there were 2 Bonapartes Gulls in the moat and Franklin's flying over the lake. Quite a few Vesper Sparrows and 1 Lincoln's Sparrow as well.

Joel and Kathy Beyer - On Saturday morning, 4/12, a breeding plumaged Harris's Sparrow, singing, about 1/4 mile in from the beginning of the Provo Airport dike road (paved section, northeast end).

Utah Birds - (Mon, 7 Apr 2003) KC Childs reported a Blue-winged Teal among the other teal at the Lindon Boat Harbor (Utah Co. near the Geneva Steel Plant).

Mar 2003

Mark Stackhouse - (Fri, 14 Mar 2003) ... Anyway, we did see a couple of good birds around the Provo Airport dike road - several Sage Sparrows along the west side, about 300 meters north of the southwest corner. One was very cooperative, and offered some extended looks at close range. We also saw an immature Northern Goshawk in the trees at the eastern corner of where the south extension heads south - it flew off to the east, and was last seen soaring over Springville.

KC Childs -  (Tue, 11 Mar 2003)  There was a Harris's Sparrow this afternoon at four at Camelot Woods in Utah County. It was in the area where there are large pile of dead trees and trunks. It was near the last pile. Which was furthest west. It was close to the reeds. It was on the north side of the property. It was with a massive flock of White Crowned Sparrows. They were quite entertaining to watch...

Reed Stone - ... I birded my way to the "Secret Pond" north west of Goshen. It was 10:40 AM. There were five Trumpeter Swan on the pond...

Feb 2003

Dennis Shirley -  (17 Feb 2003) Monday turned up some good winter birds in Salt Lake and Utah counties. These were: ... Northern Shrike - West of the north Springville I-15 exit and north of Camelot Woods along the gravel frontage road

Todd Black - (8 Feb 2003)  Todd Black reported a Swainson's Hawk at the Pleasant Grove exit off I-15.  This is the
earliest that I remember a Swainson's Hawk reported.

Josh Heward - (6 Feb 2003)  Josh Heward just reported a Varied Thrush at the south end of Salem Pond. It was between the road (close to the road on the ground) and the pond right at the south end where there's the picnic area with a fireplace.

Mike Monson - (2 Feb 2003)  Mike Monson reported a Glausous-winged Gull in the main dock area of the Provo Boat Harbor at about 2:00 pm Sunday afternoon. The bird looked much like the 1st winter picture in the Sibley guide.

Jan 2003

Alton Thygerson -  January 29, 2003: After work this afternoon I took a hike up Rock Canyon (east of Provo's LDS
Temple). The following were seen: 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Townsend's Solitaire, 2 Steller's Jays. Audible but unseen were: Canyon Wren and Chukar.

Bryan Shirley - (Sat, 25 Jan 2003)   Today my Dad, my brother J and I birded along the creek through
camalot woods in springville. Still no luck with finding any of the winter wrens that have been reported. We did see another
Swamp Sparrow though. If you follow the four-wheeler tracks there were some white flags tied on a tree near the area where the sparrow was seen.

Alton Thygerson - January 25, 2003  (Orem Water Treatment Plant) ... Also in the area was a YELLOW-SHAFTED form the NORTHERN FLICKER. While clinging to a tree trunk, the bright yellow undertail was very obvious (this race is rare in the west during the winter).

Joel and Kathy Beyer - (Mon, 20 Jan 2003)  This morning we stopped at the Timpanogos Water Treatment Plant and were
rewarded with a view of the wintering Swamp Sparrow. There was a Common Loon near Powell Slough, on the large pond just west of the Orem Water Treatment Plant. At Camelot Woods (west of Springville) we found a Great Horned Owl, and 2 Winter Wrens along Hobble Creek. West of Elberta, just off of Highway 6, we saw a large flock of Bushtits, along with a
Bewick's Wren.

Bryan Shirley - (Fri, 03 Jan 2003) Today I went in search of the winter wrens at camalot woods in springville that were reported on the provo christmas bird count. I wasn't able to find a winter wren, but I did see a Swamp Sparrow.  It was about where the trees end if you follow the river toward the lake. The swamp sparrow at the A.F. location is still around too -
I saw it yesterday afternoon.