Utah County Birders Newsletter
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UOS Birders at Recapture Reservoir - 8
April 2006 |
Memoirs of a San Juan Weekend
GPS and Bird Statistic:
911.34 miles traveled by car
35 hours and 46 minutes spent driving and birding
105 species seen
This past weekend I took part in the Utah Ornithological Society San Juan Field
trip. The 3 day trek from Salt Lake City to the extreme southeast corner of the
state brought several surprises as well as a better understanding of the birding
in San Juan County. Friday began with birders from Wyoming, Connecticut, Ogden,
Salt Lake City, and Provo meeting in Utah county to travel southward for an
investigatory weekend in birding the southeast. The groups first stop was in
Juab county at Burriston Ponds. Right as we pulled up a pair of LONG-BILLED
CURLEW flew over us heading northwest. Also of note here were: Great-tailed
Grackle, Wilson's Snipe and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. As we headed back
through Mona we saw a Eurasian Collared- Dove along Main Street. Our next stop
was Chicken Creek Reservoir which was covered with waterfowl and a number of
grebes. By far the best bird was a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER molting into breeding
from basic plumage, along with what was a molting Long-billed Dowitcher. Kelly
Holtman spotted a CATTLE EGRET on the south side of the Reservoir, the only
egret of the trip.
The next stop was at Sevier Bridge Reservoir where the wind was blowing and
there wasn't much on the lake. Several COMMON MERGANSER were seen from the
restrooms. The only SAGE THRASHER's of the trip were seen here as well. From the
lake we traveled west along dirt roads to Highway 28. About a 1/2 mile from 28 a
BURROWING OWL flushed from a cattle guard in the road and sat in the brush just
40 feet from the road. We traveled south to Salina, then headed southwest to
Sigurd, before heading back southeast to Bicknell to look into Bicknell Bottoms,
which were rather barren…… Form here we dropped into Canyon Country and made a
quick stop at Fruita which again was rather "bird-less". As we passed through
Capitol Reef we were rewarded with looks at WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, WESTERN
KINGBIRD, and several saw a rather drab female WILD TURKEY.
As we left the Reef and headed towards Hanksville the birds were again far and
few between. We headed south and crossed the Colorado near Hite and made a quick
stop east of here to try for Juniper birds. A JUNIPER TITMOUSE called but
wouldn't show for everyone to see. As the sun began to set we crossed some
beautiful country and rolled into Blanding just before dark. After a dinner
break I headed to Devil's Canyon to try my luck at a Saw-whet, and ran into 3
others from the group who wanted to try their luck too. After a short whistling
contest, I was able to locate a Saw-whet in loop A, or B, what one I am not
sure, it is the one to the right when you enter the campground. We all got brief
looks, of the bird flying, and I was able to get a nice look as it perched low
in a juniper. I also heard either a Barn or a Great Horned Owl screech 3 times
while I was whistling, but never got a great fix on the call. After nearly 15
hours on the road and birding I headed to Monticello for the night.
Day 2 began at 5:45 am at the Triangle H motel, the pride of Monticello, not
exactly 5 star. We headed northwest of town to look for GUNNISON SAGE-GROUSE.
With all the leks being closed to the public until the 15th, we were just hoping
to get lucky. As luck would have it we saw 6 or 7 of these dainty grouse……
flying away as we drove along the road. Unfortunately no one got a world class
look at the smaller cousin to the Greater Sag-Grouse of northern Utah. Shortly
after exhausting the road we were traveling on within Utah we headed back
towards Monticello. On the road back, Hickman Flats road (San Juan county road
#332), in the same location Lu located an American Golden-Plover last fall we
saw 3 TUNDRA SWAN, several RING-BILLED GULL, heard and saw our first VESPER
SPARROW of the trip, and were verbally warned by a DWR officer that if we left
the road to pursue grouse, we would be cited…… He need not worry, we left the
area to pursue other birds.
After a stop in Monticello for breakfast it was back south for more birds. Out
first stop was at Devil's Canyon, where 2 ACORN WOODPECKER delighted us along
HWY 191. In the campground were a healthy helping of new birds for the tip,
including: PYGMY NUTHATCH, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, HAIRY WOODPECKER, RED
CROSSBILL, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, CASSIN' FINCH, SPOTTED TOWHEE, and a few more for
kicks. Back in loop A, or B as I stated earlier, which I still can't remember,
we found a BUSHTIT nest, and not a whole lot else.
At Recapture Reservoir were more waterfowl, 2 COMMON LOON, 8 or 9 EARED GREBE, a
singing JUNIPER TITMOUSE and several AMERICAN CROW. We headed into Blanding for
lunch, and then headed south yet again. We stopped at the waste water treatment
plant just south of town, which was chock full of waterfowl, and lord knows what
else. We added RING-NECKED DUCK, as well as YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD for the
trip. Heading further south, we arrived in Bluff in the early afternoon. First
we went to the "swimming hole", which was rather void of wildlife, but looked
great for rails and bitterns. The highlight here was a GREAT BLUE HERON perched
about 200 feet above us on the red rock. Also here were more Swift's and a
TURKEY VULTURE. The next stop was in "historic" Bluff, where Lu took us to his
dove spot. There was a WHITE-WINGED DOVE as well as 2 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE
hanging out right in the middle of town.
Heading southwest we stopped along the San Juan river at Sand Island Campground.
Right off the bat we were treated to a GRAY FLYCATCHER and 15-20 WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW. In the midday heat the birdlife began to thin, and we headed back east
through Bluff to Swinging Bridge. Not a whole lot in the way of birds but a neat
stop. We went back to Bluff and had a leisurely dinner before heading north into
Cottonwood Wash to take a break and do some light birding before the owling
began. This is where the treat of the trip was located. We walked north into the
canyon towards a watering hole. As I was watching several Ring-necked Ducks,
Kelly Holtman, hollered that she had a sparrow. Most of the group looked on, and
began naming species. I took a gander but in my brief glimpse said the bird
flying away looked like a House Sparrow. After several naysayers let me have it
I decided to investigate, and relocated the bird about 75 feet away over a hill.
As soon as I got it up on a bush I hollered to Lu that it looked like a
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. The group came over and everyone got great looks at the
bird, a lifer for several.
We headed back to Bluff in the dark and crossed south through town to the river.
Within minutes Lu had 2 WESTERN SCREECH-OWL 15 feet away from the group calling
up a storm. We left these birds be, and headed north back to Devil's Campground
for another shot at the Saw-whet. At the first spot we were skunked when the
Wyoming crew let us know they had had one calling further up the road. We drove
to the spot and after 10 minutes of no replies most of the group left. I tried
calling once more, and with only 7 of us still there we got a response. We
ventured into the woods and quickly realized the bird was only a short distance
away. I decided a whistling duel was needed and got into it with the little owl.
It began moving closer until finally it sounded like it was only 15 or 20 feet
away. Bob MacDougall and I flashed our spots into the tree in front of us, and
out on a limb only 25 feet away sat a beautiful little owl, out in the open.
Everyone got fantastic looks and then headed off for another much needed night
of sleep.
Meeting at 8 am this morning we birded some more around Monticello. Near the old
Blue Mountain Ski resort we saw RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, a WILD TURKEY and the
surprise of the day, 3 VIOLET- GREEN SWALLOW flew over us. This was a surprise
as there was still 6-8 inches of snow on the ground…… After this the group
worked north and made a few stops. The last that I took part in was near the
town of La Sal where we added SHARP-SHINNED HAWK to the list, and enjoyed the
last birding of the trip.
I headed back north to Moab, I-70, Price, and finally back to Salt Lake. My skin
burnt bright red from the desert sun on Saturday, all but a thick white patch
where my neck strap lay, my car low on gas and covered in dust, and my eyes
aching from just 10 hours of sleep in the last 72, I was ready for a nap. I
would like to thank Steve Carr for planning this little outing which gave most
of us a crash course in birding in San Juan. A huge thanks to Lu Giddings for
dragging us around and showing us the ropes. With a new appreciation for a much
under-birded part of the state, I can definitely say this was one of the better
field trips I have been on.
The total number of 105 was the number of birds I saw. Bob Huntignton and Bob
MacDougall also noted: FERRUGINOUS HAWK and SHORT-EARED OWL. I think that about
covers it. I know this was long, and if anyone is interested in particular
details please email me back channel and I will let ya know!
Field Trip Report
Provo Airport Dike - April 15, 2006
by Reed Stone
Saturday Apr. 15 Start 8:00 A.M. Lead by Flora Duncan.
Six hardy birders met at the Ox Bow. We started by going around Provo Airport
Dike because of the light rain. The birds: 50 species not every one saw every
bird.
Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Cinnamon Teel, Green-winged Teel, Readhead,
Ring-necked Pheasant, Ca. Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's
Grebe, American White Pelican, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Osprey, Northern
Harrier, R. T. Hawk, Am. Kestrel, Virginia Rail (heard only), American Coot,
Sandhill Crane, Killdeer, American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs (heard only),
Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie,
Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow,
Black-capped Chickadee, Marsh Wren (heard only), American Robin, European
Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee (Ox Bow), Song Sparrow,
White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Western
Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Blackbird,
House Finch and House Sparrow.
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Jordanelle Wetlands -
29 April 2006 |
Field Trip Report
Jordanelle Wetlands & Deer Creek Area - April 29, 2006
by Alona Huffaker
Ten lucky Utah County Birders spent a few hours out birding up Provo Canyon and
in Heber Valley. It was a bit chilly for part of the trip, but a good day all in
all. There were about 55 species seen, including Violet Green, Barn, Tree, Bank,
Northern Rough Winged, and Cliff Swallows! At Jordanelle we saw a pair of Osprey
fishing the river and a Sandhill Crane flew silently right over our heads. That
was a sight to see! The yellow color of the Yellowheaded Blackbird, the Yellow-rumped
Warbler and the American Goldfinches was absolutely brilliant! Several people
got to see their first Brown headed Cowbird of the year, and most of us had
never seen a Eurasian Collared Dove in Wasatch County before (It was in the park
near the turnoff from the Provo Canyon Highway to go to Charleston, as were
Common Grackles in those tall pine trees).
During a brief stop at Deer Creek Lake State Park we saw four Grebes: Horned,
Eared, Pied-billed and Western! Dippers, a Black Crowned Night Heron, Red-tailed
Hawk, American Kestrel, Fox Sparrow, Scrub Jay, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and
Common Loon were some of the other birds we saw! Thanks group and leader (Tuula)
for a very enjoyable spring morning.
It was the avian equivalent of me crawling under the sneeze guard at Baskin
Robbins. I haven’t done that because I have a large brain and know it would be a
stupid move, and I have a large body which my brain tells me wouldn’t fit. But
the little female house finch had neither and she was stuck inside my nearly
empty birdfeeder.
The feeder is one of those with the clear plastic sides in a barn shaped cedar
body; a basic off the shelf type. The little bird must have slipped into the
slot where the seed falls into the tray. I was out in the yard walking my dogs
when I noticed her. She was futilely hopping against the plastic sides trying to
escape.
My dogs, who spend most of the day barking at birds, thought it was the coolest
dog toy they had ever seen. I had to hold their leashes in one hand and pull the
roof part of the feeder up the hanging strings and tip the feeder sideways to
let her fly free. She sat in our maple tree and gave me her opinion of bird
grabbing feeders then slipped into the Blue Spruce to wait until I refilled the
feeder.
The dogs keep eyeing the feeder hoping for another bird. Frankly I’m not too
sure it won’t happen again, maybe even with the same bird. Birds can get “trap
happy” as wildlife biologists can testify, and let themselves be trapped over
and over for the food. She might be low enough on the Darwinian scale of
intelligence that if the birdfeeder trap didn’t get her something else will.
But it’s the first time I’ve had that happen and the feeder has been in the yard
for over a year.
~ Lana Creer Harris
We would like to hear your random observations. If you have an observation to share send it to
newsletter@utahbirds.org .Backyard Bird of the
Month
April 2006
Glenn Barlow - Fruit Heights
Cassin’s Finch
Steve Carr - Holladay
Northern Flicker - Present several times a day every day.
Flora Duncan - Orem
California Quail - I hope they come back.
Alona Huffaker - Springville
Sandhill Cranes - I hear them from my front porch!
Eric Huish - Pleasant Grove
Cliff Swallows - Flew over. My first swallows of the year.
Milt Moody - Provo
Male Black-headed Grosbeak - I always forget how striking they are.
Cheryl Peterson - Provo
Cassin's Finch
Bruce Robinson - West Jordan
California Quail - 2nd year in a row--maybe babies this year!
Tuula Rose - Provo
A Ruby-crowned Kinglet found my suet feeder and visited every day for
three weeks.
Dennis Shirley - Elk Ridge
Green-tailed Towhee - Seems early!
Cassin's Finch - 4 males, 6 females.
Stan Smith - Cedar Hills
Say’s Phoebe - 3rd year in a row.
Bonnie Williams - Mapleton
Green-tailed Towhee - always fun to see.
We would like you to share your favorite backyard bird each
month. Please send your favorite bird at the end of the month to
newsletter@utahbirds.org or call 360-8777. If you would like a reminder at
the end of the month e-mail the above address.