Birdnet Hotline Highlights
December 2002

Review Species Reported This Month:
     Glaucous-winged Gull   Davis Co.
     Yellow-throated Warbler  Washington Co.


BOX ELDER COUNTY 

Alton Thygerson - November 14, 2002 - For my 2002 Utah list, I needed a Sharp-tailed Grouse. Today (Saturday) at 11:00 am and after about two hours of walking through sagebrush and grass at White's Valley, I flushed out and saw one SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. However, despite my efforts, a Gray Partridge was not located.

Tim Gorman - (Wednesday, December 04, 2002) I spent November 23rd and 24th driving around and walking the dikes at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I put down 57 firm specie sightings on the Refuge's cool bird list handout. Most notable (to me) were Great Egret, Am. Bittern, Sora, and Marbled Godwit....

Tom Aldrich - (Wed, 4 Dec 2002)  9 marked (pinkwing and green neck collars) Trumpeter Swans were seen in Unit 1 of Bear River Refuge recently. I would appreciate hearing of any other sightings of Trumpeters or marked tundras anyone comes across. There are a number of marking efforts being conducted on tundras and trumpeters and any information on location would be extremely helpful. Thank you!

CACHE COUNTY 

Jean Lown - (14 Dec 2002)  "Nancy: You probably heard that Ron Ryel found a male Eastern Bluebird on the CBC on Saturday at the east end of the Logan country club golf course near the canal. I went Sunday afternoon and had
fabulous luck. It appeared just as I got to the no trespassing sign at the south end of the canal path. ... Happy birding!  Jean"

DAVIS COUNTY 

Mike Johnson - (Mon, 23 Dec 2002) Dave Allen (of NV) and I saw a first winter Glaucous-winged Gull on the ice just north of the Bountiful Landfill. It then flew over our heads and into the dump. Before we left, we found it again back on the ice.

GARFIELD COUNTY 

Joel & Kathy Beyer - (Sun, 1 Dec 2002) We also visited East Canyon Reservoir today. In addition to the Common
and Barrow's Goldeneyes and the Hooded and Common Mergansers, we saw a Pacific Loon (southern end), a Common Loon (middle), Clark's and Western Grebe, a female Long-tailed Duck (northeastern arm) and a female
White-winged Scoter (northeastern arm). ...

SALT LAKE COUNTY 

Colby Neuman - (Thu, 26 Dec 2002)  My dad and I were able to make a quick trip out to Saltair this afternoon. There was a female Long-tailed Duck hanging very close to shore about half way between Saltair and the marina. It was most easily viewed from the second pulloff. ...

Jack Jolley - (Wed, 11 Dec 2002)  This morning, Dec. 11, I saw an adult [Harris' Sparrow] with a flock of juncos, which included a Slate-colored, behind the Oxbow Jail just north Madison Park area.

Jack Holley - (6 Dec 2002) This morning I walked along the Jordan River Parkway and spotted a male Barrow's Goldeneye. The location of the bird was just north of the Decker Canal outlet, although there are goldeneyes all along the river north of Parley's Creek Outlet.

Alton Thygerson - (Tue, 03 Dec 2002) ... I stopped off the highway south of the East Canyon Resort on Big Mountain at the Drouby Canyon sign (west side of highway). Using my best imitation of a Northern Pygmy Owl call, a Northern Pygmy Owl was lured to within 50 feet.

Joel & Kathy Beyer - (Sun, 1 Dec 2002)  ... Mountain Dell Reservoir in Parley's Canyon had both Common and Barrow's
Goldeneyes
, and at George Washington Park (east end of Mt. Dell Golf Course) we saw a Great Horned Owl and a Ruffed Grouse.

UINTAH COUNTY 

Ron Brunson - (Wed, 4 Dec 2002)  Well my old friend of three years, a Harris sparrow, showed up to the winter at
my feeder in Vernal.

UTAH COUNTY 

Lois Clark - (Mon, 16 Dec 2002)   Lois Clark has had a Harris's Sparrow in her yard the last two mornings
(it looks like between 7:30 and 9:00 AM might be the best time).

Eric Huish - (Wed, 11 Dec 2002)   There is a pair of Greater White-fronted Geese among the many Canada Geese
and American Wigeon at Tri-City Golf Course in American Fork.

Alton Thygerson - November 13, 2002 - This morning (9:30 am) while hiking in Rock Canyon (east of the Provo LDS
Temple) and after about a 15 to 20 minute hike into the canyon from the parking lot, I had close and prolonged views of these birds:  Canyon Wren (several individuals at various spots in the canyon), Golden-crowned Kinglet, BROWN CREEPER, BC CHICKADEE.

Eric Huish - (Fri, 06 Dec 2002)  I stopped at the Timpanogos Wastewater Treatment Plant on my way home from
work today (3:00 P.M. 12/06). I Saw at least two Swamp Sparrows at the very southeast corner were the water empties from the settling ponds into Utah Lake. They were feeding in the weedy area at the edge of the Cattails. ...

WASHINGTON COUNTY 

John Spence -  I found a female or 1st year Yellow-throated Warbler on the Zion CBC on the 28th. The bird was active in cottonwoods on a large point bar ca. 1/3 mile up canyon from the Grotto Picnic Area, in mid-day when it was sunny. ...

William J. Hunter - (Mon, 16 Dec 2002) Hi.  There is a Great Egret on the SunRiver Golf Course Pond, there is one
reported at Southgate, etc [post by Bob Showler]. I have a feeling it is the same bird.