Review Species Reported This Month:
    Neotropic Cormorant  Iron Co.
    Zone-tailed Hawk  Washington Co.
    Red Phalarope  Cache Co.  Davis Co.
    Pomarine Jaeger  Davis Co.
    Parasitic Jaeger  Davis Co.  Salt Lake Co.
    Vaux's Swift  Washington Co.
    Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  Davis Co.
    Red-breasted Sapsucker  Washington Co.
    Least Flycatcher  Davis Co.  Salt Lake Co.  San Juan Co.  Washington Co.
    Great Crested Flycatcher  Utah Co.
    Blue-headed Vireo  Davis Co.
    Philadelphia Vireo  Salt Lake Co.
    Brown Thrasher  Washington Co.
    Tennessee Warbler  Washington Co.
    Magnolia Warbler  Davis Co.
    Cape May Warbler  Washington Co.
    Blackpoll Warbler  Salt Lake Co.  Washington Co.
    Prothonotary Warbler  Salt Lake Co.
    Flame-colored Tanager?  Washington Co.
    Purple Finch  Washington Co.
    Lawrence's Goldfinch   Washington Co.
   

BOX ELDER COUNTY

Tim Avery (15 Sep 2007) - I spent about an hour this afternoon at Willard Bay State Park checking in on the shorebirds that Kris Purdy reported earlier this week. HIGHLIGHTS: 3 Semipalmated Plover ...41 Least Sandpiper ...2 Sanderling ...1 Great Egret ...2 Common Tern (beached just west of marina) ...1 Black Tern...

Kris Purdy (1 Sep 2007) - A Stilt Sandpiper was consorting with a group of 8-9 Lesser Yellowlegs inside the auto tour loop at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County this morning. This bird was a juvenile by the uniform scaly look to the back feathers and wing coverts. The flock was a mile and a half north of the observation tower.

CACHE COUNTY

Keith Archibald (30 Sep 2007) - Today at noon I had a close fly by for an adult Sabine's Gull. It was approximately 2 miles North of Highway 30 on 3200 West. I was there for another 30 minutes and it didn't reappear. Pectoral Sandpiper seem to be all over the Valley along with Baird's and Dowitchers. Red Phalarope -Ten days ago I had one at the Barren's. I got some fair pictures of the bird. The bird was only here one day.

DAVIS COUNTY

Carol Gwynn (29 Sep 2007) - I thought today's horrific weather might ground some good birds along the Antelope Island Causeway...Along the Causeway, I ran into a British birding tour group. They had staked out 3 Sabine's Gulls between MM 3 and 4, and their leader had seen two additional ones earlier. I got to see the 3 juveniles. That was pretty cool to see 3 in the same binocular view.

Dave Hanscom (27 Sep 2007) - The monthly Great Salt Lake Audubon Farmington Bay trip took place yesterday. We did see a Common Tern sunning itself on a nest box in the pond at the end of Glover Lane.

(26 Sep 2007) - Arnold Smith and I (Aaron Smith) saw a Blue-headed Vireo at Garr Ranch yesterday at about 1530 in the afternoon. It was mixed in with several Cassin's Vireo's. We also identified what we believe to be a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was mixed in with 2 adult male Red-naped Sapsuckers. The Red-naped Sapsuckers both tended to hang together and did not like the Yellow-bellied. They would chase after it any time it would get close to them. The Yellow-bellied also appeared to be an adult male. We located the sapsuckers in the trees just East of the spring house. However, they were seen throughout the trees below the ranch house. The Vireo's were in the same location.

Mark Stackhouse (24 Sep 2007) - I finally made it out to Farmington Bay today to take a look at the jaeger. ...the bird was close to the road in the SW corner of the rest area (main impoundment on the left), where it stayed for some time before making a lengthy flight over the water, trending NE, until I lost it in the distance on the far side (E) of the impoundment...Also there while I was there were Eric Huish (who initially found it), Tuula Rose and Ned Bixler, all from Utah County. I looked with great interest at the photos that Tim took of the bird last week, and had formed an idea as to what the bird is, but wanted to reserve final judgment until I had a chance to see the bird itself. I've found the best way to identify jaegers is by shape and flight style, something that's hard to see in photos. ...What I saw at Farmington Bay today confirms what I thought from Tim's photos. I'm confident that this is a Parasitic Jaeger, and not a Pomarine Jaeger. The bird I saw today was too slight of build, with wings too long and narrow to be a Pomarine. ... I was really hoping for a Pomarine. I've never seen a Pomarine in Utah, but this is my fifth Utah Parasitic Jaeger.

Tim Avery (23 Sep 2007) - This afternoon around 12:45 pm at the first bridge (and no swimming sign) as I was starting to conduct a lakewatch, 3 Red Phalarope came skimming along the surface of the lake about 100 yards north of the causeway. The birds all appeared to be in basic plumage with clean gray back and boldly marked black and white wings. The birds flew past and to the northwest along the shoreline. I called Kris Purdy, who happened to be about 1/4 mile west of me and let her know what had just flown past. She joined me, as well as the Sommerfeld's and shortly after that the Beyer's. We stayed in the area for a couple hours watching the 1,000's of birds flying back and forth to the north of the causeway. Unfortunately, the phalarope were not seen. In all, I only saw 1Wilson's Phalarope and 2 Red-necked Phalarope while looking.

Joel and Kathy Beyer (23 Sep 2007) - A juvenile Golden-crowned Sparrow was seen at Garr Ranch (Antelope Island) this morning about 11:30. It was with a flock of White-crowned Sparrows in the large brush pile southeast of the ranch house. 2 Winter Wrens (we saw them together) are hanging about the large downed trees at the pond. Hermit Thrushes were everywhere. There were still thousands of peeps (Baird's and Western) along the Causeway, and at least 1 American Golden Plover amongst the Black-bellied. At Farmington Bay WMA this afternoon, the Pomarine(?) Jaeger was still present, but was mostly frequenting the far east side of Unit 1 (the rest pond).

Kathy and Joel (22 Sep 2007) - We made our way to Farmington Bay WMA this morning about 9 am, and eventually found the Jaeger resting on the water east of the dike, about 200 yards south of the second bridge where it was reported previously. We had excellent looks (thanks to some cloud cover) as it chased a Forster's Tern around, and it then headed southeast. We refound it later sitting in Unit 2, and again it took off to chase some Black Terns, before disappearing for good. From all we could see, this was a juvenile Pomarine Jaeger, not a Parasitic. Two Common Terns were in the pond at the west end of Glover Lane (Farmington). This afternoon the north side of the Antelope Island Causeway was alive with birds bulking up during the storm. A couple thousand each Western and Baird's Sandpipers, a Dunlin, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers, 2 Red Knots, 7 Marbled Godwits, 3 Snowy Plovers, 8 Black-bellied Plovers, 3 Wilson's Phalaropes, a Red-necked Phalarope, 6 Sanderlings, 5 Long-billed Curlews (south side) and lots and lots and lots of Avocets. No Sabine's Gull today.

Tim Avery (21 Sep 2007) - I just received a call from Kris Purdy at 11:04am to let me know that the juvenile presumed Pomarine Jaeger was still present at Farmington Bay WMA this morning. Kris, Dave Hanscom and Pomera Fronce all observed the bird from the2nd bridge (the air boat launch parking lot with the 2 Owl decoys) reporting that it was acting in a similar fashion to yesterday. Typically the bird was 200+ yards east of the west dike on the edge of the massive waterfowl and coot flock. Kris noted that the best way to look was to scan along the edge of the flock looking for a dark "gull-like" bird.

Tim Avery (19 Sep 2007) - Just as with last Friday the wind had pushed 100's of gulls up to the south side of the causeway, and in almost the same locale as Friday a juvenile Sabine's Gull was hanging out. At Garr Ranch migration had slowed from previous trips, but a Least Flycatcher made up for the lack of birds.

Tim Avery (19 Sep 2007) - I received a call from Steve Sommerfeld at about 7:55 this evening reporting that he had seen a probable Jaeger species east of the main north-south road at Farmington Bay WMA. This is the large rest area that currently is covered in waterfowl and coots.

Kris Purdy (17 Sep 2007) - Tim Avery just called (1:05 pm, Monday) to report a juvenile Black-and-white Warbler at Garr Ranch at Antelope Island State Park, Davis County. Tim reported the bird is moving between the ranch house and the spring house and has been both on the ground and as high as 35 feet.

Kathy and Joel (16 Sep 2007) - This afternoon we found two Sabine's Gulls on the AI Causeway, both on the north side around MM4. One was a juvenile, the other a first summer. At Garr Ranch we saw an adult White-throated Sparrow, the white-striped form. It was along the stream behind the springhouse.

Joel and Kathy (15 Sep 2007) - After striking out on the Winter Wren at Garr Ranch this morning, we tried again late this afternoon and were rewarded. We saw the Winter Wren at 5:45, moving about the large downed tree just south of the pond. We also saw several Cassin's Vireos, a Red-eyed Vireo, female Williamson's Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker and a Townsend's Warbler.

Tim Avery (14 Sep 2007) - At about 2:30pm as I continued east, about 40 yards east of MM4 on the north side of the causeway was an adult Whimbrel. ... As I was taking off the small lens I heard the QUIQUIQUIQUIQUIQUI call as the bird took off flying back west along the north side of the road. I watched it till the heat waves on the road made it impossible. ...There was a lot of bird movement at Garr Ranch. And even after being at the ranch an hour I was still finding new birds. A Winter Wren (possibly the same bird although it hasn't been seen in over a week) and a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET were present, as well as an out of place Black-capped Chickadee.

Kristin Purdy (14 Sep 2007) - Tim Avery called me at about 2:10 pm to report a juvenile Sabine's Gull at Antelope Island Causeway in Davis County. Tim first saw the bird on the north side at the rocky spit that points toward Fremont Island at about mile 1.8; the bird has continued to work its way east and now is on the south side about 100 yards east of the weather pole with the anemometer on top.

Joel and Kathy (12 Sep 2007) - We took advantage of the open interior gates at Farmington Bay WMA this evening (thanks Steve!) and spotted a Common Moorhen about midway along the south side of Unit 2. Also saw a perched Great Horned Owl at the southeast corner of Unit 2. A very nice sunset as well!

Tim Avery (11 Sep 2007) - I received a phone call just a bit ago from Kris Purdy, that John Bellmon, Keith Evans and I believe Jack Rensel had located a Magnolia Warbler 20 yards (or so) east of the Spring House. I suppose this would be along the "creek" that flows down to the fence line. No further details were provided, except that the bird was in fall plumage.

Tim Avery (9 Sep 2007) - I received a phone call this morning from the Sommerfeld's, that Joel and Kathy Beyer had found a Black-and-white Warbler at Garr Ranch near the Spring House.  I drove up and we were able to relocate the bird on the large log that is down across the pond. This was at around 11:45am.

Stephen Carlile (8 Sep 2007) - Garr Ranch:  Northern Waterthrush in the third pond/seep about 1/2 mile south of the ranch. Watch out for the buffalo and their "leavings".

Kristin Purdy (4 Sep 2007) - Arnold Smith just called me (6:00 pm, Tuesday) to report a Clay-colored Sparrow on Antelope Island Causeway in Davis County. Arnold, Keith Evans, and John Bellmon stayed on the island for the remainder of the afternoon and found the bird on the way home at the No Swimming bridge at about mile 4.8. The bird was on the south side and perched on sunflowers on the southwest side of the bridge, then flew to the southeast side and perched on a green shrub there. Two Brewer's Sparrows were also present.

Kristin Purdy (4 Sep 2007) - The Blue-headed Vireo dragnet that spread across Garr Ranch at Antelope Island State Park... we did not see the bird.  We did, however, see many Warbling Vireos, the Red-eyed Vireo in the Russian Olive at the southeast corner of the south pasture and John saw a Cassin's Vireo. ... Dennis also saw a Winter Wren in the brush beyond the Red-eyed Vireo's tree after the remainder of the party had left.

Joel and Kathy (3 Sep 2007) - This morning at Garr Ranch on Antelope Island (Davis Co.) we saw a striking Blue-headed Vireo in the trees behind the spring house. A first-year and an adult Cassin's Vireo were also seen by the stream. Red-eyed Vireo was a no-show. (By the way, last week we and Jack saw an adult RE Vireo, not the young bird seen yesterday). A Least Flycatcher was observed a couple of times in the area of the horseshoe pits.

Kris Purdy (2 Sep 2007) - I spoke with Arnold Smith tonight, who told me he and Aaron saw an immature Red-eyed Vireo at Garr Ranch Saturday. This may be the bird that Jack Binch reported at the spring. Arnold said he and Aaron saw the bird "all over the place", including in the line of Russian Olives by the fence that the buffaloes have pushed down, in the Russian Olives in the south pasture and in the Chinese Elms over the picnic area.

IRON COUNTY

Rick Fridell (19 Sep 2007) - I just received a call from Steve Summers and he located the continuing Neotropic Cormorant at Quichapa Lake (Iron Co.). The cormorant was along the southeast shore in the company of many Double-crested Cormorants. After living in Cedar City for many years, Steve is back working there this week, and I believe the Neotropic Cormorant was Steve's 260th Iron Co. bird!

Rick Fridell (14 Sep 2007) - This afternoon at approximately 6:00 pm, Larry Tripp, Peyton Cook, and I saw the Neotropic Cormorant at Quichapa Lake (Iron Co.). It was perched in a dead tamarisk on the southeast shore with many Double-crested Cormorants.

Kristin Purdy (5 Sep 2007) - Tim Avery and Glenn Barlow traveled to Quichapa Lake west of Cedar City in Iron County yesterday and saw the Neotropic Cormorant along with 5-6 Double-crested Cormorants sitting on the fenceline where other observers have seen the bird.

Jack Binch (2 Sep 2007) - chasing the Neotropic Cormorant ...The group I was with on Friday was unsuccessful. I birded with Lu and Dennis on Saturday evening and they spotted the bird five minutes after I left. I went over to talk to Ed, and he had seen the bird fifteen minutes before I got there. I went back Sunday morning with the resolve to stay all day if necessary.... Thanks to the Beyers, David Wheeler and Larene Wyss. I guess the third time is the charm. BTW, it was 10:00 when I got to see it.

Tim Avery (1 Sep 2007) - I just received secondhand information that Steve and Cindy Sommerfield had relocated the Neotropic Cormorant at Quichipa Lake in Iron County, this morning, Saturday September 1st.

JUAB COUNTY 

Larry Tripp (23 Sep 2007) - ...The only other birds of note this weekend were... a Broad-winged Hawk just south of Nephi on Friday.

Jay Banta (11 Sep 2007) - Immature Sabine's Gull has been seen on Sunday, Monday, and Tues just off the north dike of Pintail Unit on Fish Springs NWR. Photo will be posted soon. It is one of on two individual gulls that are currently using that area.

MORGAN COUNTY

Weston Smith (26 Sep 2007) - Here is an update on the rare birds in Croydon, Utah. I am still seeing the Golden-crowned Sparrow, when I have the time to sit down and look( last seen on the 25th). Also the White-winged Dove showed back up on Monday(9/24) and was here all day yesterday the 25th. It looks like it went through a hurricane, it now has more white showing on its wings and the wings are longer than the tail do to the molting. While watching it come in for a landing yesterday I witnessed one of its primary wing feathers brake loose and fluttered to the ground.

Weston Smith (11 Sep 2007) - Today, 09/11/07, at roughly 1430 and again at 1530 a 1st year juvenile Golden-crowned Sparrow was viewed by Weston, Aaron and Arnold Smith at Weston's home in Croydon, Utah.

Weston Smith (5 Sep 2007) - Just like to let you all know about a couple odd birds we have had in our backyard here in Croydon, Utah(Morgan County) in the last couple of days. First on Monday(9/3) after noon there was a juvinile White-winged Dove feeding with four Eurasin Collared Doves below our feeders. And the second was a Bewick's Wren foraging in our wood pile this morning(9/5). After talking with my father (Arnold Smith) I believe these are both firsts for Morgan County.

SALT LAKE COUNTY

Tim Avery (30 Sep 2007) - I spent a couple hours at the IC this evening...The most interesting bird was an empid that I fit the "bill" (no pun intended) for Least Flycatcher.  The bird was hanging out on the north side of the Compeq building along the fence line that is the northern edge of the IC. This area has been one of the most consistently productive areas at the IC, and has produced several good birds. There is an east-west line of conifers here, along a ditch with some small Russian Olive trees. To get to this area, take the 5600 West exit off ofI-80 and go north to Harold Gatty Drive. Turn Left and follow the road till it comes to a "T" at John Glenn Road. Turn right and drive to the dead end and park. The tree line is on your right and stretches about 150 yards.

Colby Neuman (25 Sep 2007) - It was our first WEST trip of the season where we take ~60 kids on a cruise boat about 5-6 miles out into the lake where we teach the kids about the Great Salt Lake ecosystem... I was literally asking the kids, "what eats brine shrimp and brine fly larvae?" when one of the kids shouted out seagulls, which was immediately followed by another student asking, "what's that dark gull flying alongside the boat?". I was about the say a young California Gull, but I quickly realized it was a jaeger. I didn't hide my excitement too much, and told the kids that it was a pretty rare bird in Utah. Based on my limited experience with Parasitic Jaegers and my nonexistent (to very slight experience depending on who you ask) experience with Long-tailed and Pomarine Jaegers, I think it was pretty consistent with Parasitic Jaeger. The size, shape and flight pattern all seemed to point in that direction. The barring on the undertail coverts was actually pretty noticeable and reminded me a lot of the bird Willard Bay bird from a couple years ago. Unfortunately, I never watched the bird through any optics because I had to continue teaching. Either way, I thought it was pretty cool. - Tim did indeed find the bird flying about 800 yards to a mile north of the marina at Saltair earlier this afternoon. So it is certainly possible to see this bird from the shoreline. It seemed to be harassing gulls on the lake consistently.

Tim Avery (24 Sep 2007) - This evening form 6:30-7:30 pm I birded the International Center with Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld. ...we headed to the far west end and around to the north side of the Compeq building, which is lined with conifer. About 60 feet into the trees I spotted an adult White-throated Sparrow (white-striped edition) on the fence line on the north side of the trees.

Tim Avery (23 Sep 2007) - This evening, after 6:00pm Colby Neuman and I saw 3 Sabine's Gull along Lee's Creek in northwestern Salt Lake County. The highlight was not the number of birds, but the fact that 2 were adults still in breeding plumage.

Tim Avery (16 Sep 2007) - It appears the International Center is proving its potential yet again! This evening I spent the 2 hours before sunset birding the area, and had several exceptional finds. A very bright first winter Blackpoll Warbler was seen just to the north of the intersection of 5600 West and Harold Gatty Drive. This is on the opposite side of the center from where the Prothonotary was seen last weekend. Back on the other side of the center, at the intersection of Wright Brothers Drive and Amelia Earhart, was a large flock of spizella, roughly 400 birds, including at least one, and maybe even 2 very striking adult Clay-colored Sparrow, in non-breeding plumage. I was able to get a shot of one on the ground with numerous Chipping Sparrow.

Geoff Hardies (16 Sep 2007) - The Green Heron is still at the little pond off of the Jordan River. Also seen were: Nashville, Townsend's, Wilson's, Yellow-rump and a male an female Yellow Warbler, Belted Kingfisher, Common Nighthawk, Cedar Waxwing and the usual crew.

Colby Neuman (10 Sep 2007) -Tim and I went back to the Salt Lake International Center yesterday afternoon and spent a considerable amount of time searching the trees and bushes around the complex. We did briefly see the Prothonotary Warbler in the same location previously described. We came up with quite a list of migrants that included 8 warbler species...

Colby Neuman (8 Sep 2007) - ... talked Tim into going out to the Salt Lake International Center (SLIC) this evening. ... It certainly paid off! ...we came across the Prothonotary Warbler. This was just south of the junction of 575 North and Wright Brothers Drive (4000W). ... Kris Purdy, Glenn Barlow and the Summerfields were all able to make to the SL International Center and see the bird this evening as well. The bird moved along the trees for several hundred yards in the N/S direction of the intersection several times. However, the bird was refound twice in the Russian Olive that's on the southwest corner of the intersection of 575 North and Wright Brothers Drive (4000W).

Jack Binch (8 Sep 2007) - Bob Huntington and I went to the Jordan River Parkway at 5400 South and 1040 West to look for a Green Heron that Bob found earlier in the week. We walked past the pond and did not see the heron on the first pass. We went north almost to the end of the trail and got into a bunch of warblers. ...We both got on what seemed to be a Warbling Vireo, but when it got out into the open a little it was much too yellow. ... The overall appearance was that of a Philadelphia Vireo according to Sibley. ...On the way back by the pond, the Green Heron was on the west bank.

SAN JUAN COUNTY

Lu Giddings - (16 Sep 2007) - A female Indigo Bunting was seen Friday, 9/14 at about 9 a.m. roughly one mile east of Bluff, in some tamarisks and other bushes along the San Juan river, in the company of roughly a dozen female lazuli buntings. I saw what I am fairly sure was a Least Flycatcher on Friday 9/14 at about 1 p.m. about 7 miles east of Bluff and about 0.25 miles north of the San Juan river... Eurasian Collared-Doves were seen in Monticello, Blanding, Bluff, Mexican Hat, Halchita, and at Hatch's. There were more of them in Bluff than at any time I have seen in the last two years. In just one flock in Bluff this morning I counted in excess of 30 birds.

SUMMIT COUNTY

Kathy and Joel (19 Sep 2007) - An immature Sabine's Gull was at Echo Reservoir (Summit Co.) this evening, in a group of several California and Ring-billed Gulls. Also at the reservoir were a couple of Franklin's Gulls, a Forster's Tern, 7Sandhill Cranes, 2 Marbled Godwits, and 2 Common Loons.

UINTAH COUNTY

Kathy (30 Sep 2007) - I let my feeders go toward the end of the summer, but recently started filling them again. I was rewarded (and cleaned out) by a visit from 50-75 Common Grackles tonight.

UTAH COUNTY 

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...

WASHINGTON COUNTY 

Larry Tripp (30 Sep 2007) - At Lytle Ranch on Friday I saw a Brown Thrasher in the area before the first pond and today there was a HY male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Eagle mountain Ranch.

Rick Fridell (27 Sep 2007) - Today as part of the Western Field Ornithologists annual conference (being held in Las Vegas), a dozen birders enjoyed a great day at Lytle Ranch, Washington Co., UT. We met at Beaver Dam, AZ and started off with a couple of nice birds around the Beaver Dam Station, including a Red-shouldered Hawk and Vermilion Flycatcher. Overall bird activity at Lytle Ranch and along the Beaver Dam Wash was very slow, however, the orchard was the notable exception. There were probably 25-30 Red-naped Sapsuckers moving all over the orchard, particularly in the persimmon trees. We did turn up a couple additional rare birds including a Red-breasted Sapsucker (in the middle of the orchard) and a Tennessee Warbler (originally in the blackberry bush on the edge of the orchard).

Rick Fridell (26 Sep 2007) - Today (9/26) I stopped by Ash Creek Reservoir (along I-15, Exit 36) on my way home from working in Cedar City. Highlights included a first fall female American Redstart, a Virginia's Warbler, and a single Clark's Nutcracker.

Larry Tripp (23 Sep 2007) - Today in Veyo ( Washington co.) I saw a very bright orange Tanager with dark wings 2 bold wing bars the upper one was orange. The bill was dark and there was a dark border to the ear coverts. It did have bold white spots on the end of the tertials. Unfortuatenutly I didn't get to see the back of the bird well ( I didn't remember to look for streaks at the time )and I didn't think to look at the end of the tail or notice any white there. The bird was brightest orange on the head and upper breast. The bird was either a Flame-colored Tanager or a Western that's been living on carrots. Although the field marks I did see fit Flame-colored better than Western. It was a very striking looking bird. When I first saw the color of the bird I was thinking Baltimore Oriole until I got a look at the head and bill. The lower belly had a hint of yellow. Other than that it was bright orange from the head to the tail. A lot of migrants were moving through the area today. The only other birds of note this weekend were a Common Black-Hawk flying over my yard Central...

Josh Kreitzer - This evening (Saturday, Sep 22) I perused Quail Creek Reservoir in Washington County hoping to turn up a seabird blown in by the severe storm from so. California.  Though nothing shocking was found, I was delighted to see three Sabine's Gulls! I hadn't read Rick's earlier report, but after talking to him learned that he'd seen two gulls earlier today. I've never heard of so many Sabine's at the same place at the same time in Utah. It was awesome! They are a beautiful bird! All birds were seen from the south parking lot or from the lake shore near the parking lot. At one point they were all perched on the water together, then they took off, showing their uniquely patterned wings.

Rick Fridell (21 Sep 2007) - This evening on our way home from work (9/21 @ 5:40p) Quinn and I stopped by Quail Creek State Park (Washington Co.) to see what the wind blew in. The only Larids present on the reservoir were two juvenile Sabine's Gulls and two Common Terns! A pretty nice pair of species for Washington Co.!

Rick Fridell (16 Sep 2007) - ...We did see some neat birds around St. George including a female Calliope Hummingbird and a probable Least Flycatcher (I took some photos that I'd be happy to send to any ambitious Empidonax identifiers out there).

Rick Fridell  (16 Sep 2007) - In addition to the fine Cape May Warbler Peyton found this morning at the Red Hills Golf Course (9/16; Washington Co.) there was a Vaux's Swift flying around between 7:00 and 10:00 (last observed over the apartments along 700 West at 10:00a). There was also a first-fall male American Redstart near the pond at the golf course.

Larry Tripp (16 Sep 2007) - Today at about 10:00 am at the Red Hills GC in St. George Peyton Cook and I found a hatch year female Cape May Warbler. The bird is VERY drab and can easily be mistaken for a yellow-rumped warbler. Note the green rump and flight feathers, streaky sides and breast. Gray head and back and a little yellow in the breast area. The bird was also giving a high seet call. It was located in the willows just above the pond near the new dirt crossing. We called Rick Fridell and he also was able to see the bird and get pictures.

Rick Fridell (14 Sep 2007) - This evening at approximately 07:00p, I observed an immature male American Redstart in the willows at the inflow of Quail Creek Reservoir (Quail Creek State Park, Washington Co.). Also present were a couple Wilson's Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, MacGillivray's Warbler, and a single Nashville Warbler.

Aaron Smith (10 Sep 2007) - Aaron and Shauna Smith saw several Vaux's Swifts just below the reservoir at the Pine Valley campground in Southern Utah on the 5th. We also photographed a 1st year Broad-winged Hawk about a mile south of Kolob Reservoir on the same day. We located 2 California Condor's on the 6th along with a Zone-tailed Hawk in the same location as the Broad-winged Hawk. On the morning of the 6th we located a Green Heron at Spring's Pond in St. George. At Lytle Ranch on the 8th we found one of the Red-shoulder Hawks that have been previously reported.

Rick Fridell (10 Sep 2007) - This afternoon I photographed a female Blackpoll Warbler at the Red Hills Golf Course, upstream from the pond. There were also several Orange-crowned Warblers, a first-fall Townsend's Warbler, and many Warbling Vireos in the area.

Rick Fridell - Today (9/7) at Lytle Ranch (Washington Co.), Larry Tripp and I saw a female Purple Finch. We heard a bird repeatedly giving a musical two-syllable call note from a box elder along the main road north from the orchard. Neither of us was familiar with this call, but before we could locate the bird it flew down into the alfalfa field, about 10 feet from us. We walked towards the bird and it flushed and flew across the field and perched (along with a bunch of sparrows) in a large box elder on the west edge of the alfalfa field. It gave a single “pick” as it flew up. Still not sure what the bird was, we eventually
located it perched in the tree, continuing to give it’s two-note call. We believe it was of the Pacific race, due to an olive/yellowish wash on the head.  The finch then flew off to the south.... Before it flew, we were able to get some views of the bird noting bill shape, streaking, head pattern, etc., and apparently the “pick” ...Other highlights at Lytle included: ...Red-shouldered Hawk (at the pond) ...Northern Waterthrush (at the Big Cottonwood Ranch road crossing)...

Kristin Purdy (5 Sep 2007) - Tim and Glenn arrived at Bob Lawson's house in Dammeron Valley, Washington County, at about 1:00 pm this afternoon and saw the Lawrence's Goldfinch right away. Also on this trip they logged a Common Black-hawk and Black-tailed Gnatcatchers; I didn't ask about the location for those two birds, but assume it was Beaver Dam Wash and Lytle Ranch.

Tim Avery (3 Sep 2007) - At 10:15 this morning, I received a phone call from Bob Lawson who reported that a Lawrence's Goldfinch was at his feeder in Dammeron Valley, yet again.  Bob was a very generous host in allowing birders to visit his home this spring, and has said it would be okay for those to visit again, as long as they write in advance and ask permission to be there. Just showing up is not okay. Bob can be reached by email at: boblaw@infowest.com.