L. Black-backed Gull, GWGU, MUSW, etc..

[Tim Avery <tanager at timaverybirding dot com>]

Today Ken Behrens from Pennsylvania, and I birded the Great Salt Lake from
Antelope Island South to the Bountiful Landfill.  Quite  a day filled with
really good birds!  First at the landfill:

1st Winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the pond to the north of the dump

Adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL flew from the trash pile to the same pond

There were 1,000's of California Gulls, a large number of Ring-billed, and a
good number of Herring Gulls.

At Farmington Bay as I reported through my phone was a probaly 2nd winter MUTE
SWAN.  The bird was definately a Mute swan, with an orange bill, and small
black knob, yellowish washed neck, and white body.  The knopb was not fully
developed as an adult would have, but not as tiny as a first year bird.  THis
bird was about 500 yards east of the main road, about a mile south of Egg
Island, in the safety zone for waterfowl.  This bird is tricky, because of
domestic escapes, and exotic birds in collections.  At the same time it is
almost impossible to tell where this bird came from and how it arrived here.
West of the Mississippi this bird is almost always considered an escape.
However there is a local wild population in southern British Columbia.  I
digiscoped some images through my spotting scope with my phone, so they arent
good images, but they show the general shape of the bird, and color.  May be
worth looking for just because of the location.  This bird is not on the Utah
checklist.

Also at Farmington Bay along the north shore of the safety zone was a mixed
flock of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, about 36 birds, 20 Lesser, 16, Greater,
and also 4 WILSON's PHALAROPE, another great bird.

At Antelope Island we found one Juvenile HARRIS's SPARROW at the feeder at the
visitor center, along with several AMERICAN TREE SPARROW's.  Also near the
visitor center were 2 ROCK WREN's.  On the road to Garr Ranch, we found a lone
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, 1,000+ Goldfinch and Siskins, and at least 10 SHORT-EARED
OWL's in the trees about a mile or 2 past the road to Fairy Peak, just on the
east (left) side of the road.  Quite a sight to see all these owls fly from
their roost and om circles around the trees.

At Lee Kay ponds there were 11 HOODED MERGANSER's today, and no Greater
White-fronted Goose.

I am probably forgetting something, but who knows, if you want specific info
about any birds email me back channel.

I will try to get some photos up asap.

Good Birding

Tim

Salt Lake City, UT or Beloit, WI
http://www.timaverybirding.com

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