[Fwd: Harris's Sparrow and other sightings]

On our return drive from AZ to MT we chanced to bird what I believe is called the Airport Dike in Provo. On Thursday morning May 1 at 0900 we observed a breeding plumaged Harris's Sparrow about 1/4 mile from the Mike Jense Parkway (to the airport) on Provo 3110 West. The bird had a black crown, black throat, big pink bill and black streaks on the flanks. The bird was seen briefly but well for a positive identification. It was seen low in the shrubbery on the west side of the road and (the left side of the river/canal/ditch) roughly across from where there is a Red Cross helicopter body elevated on a high scaffold affair (maybe part of a training area?) or just before the road makes a swing to the left (east) or just before you arrive at the open fields (airport?) to the west as you head south on the gravel road. At any rate I placed a sand-colored brick on it's long end to mark the spot. We tried to relocated the bird on our return drive but failed. Along the drive we also encountered a pair of CA Quail on the dike next to the road and two Chukar were seen in the gravel by the southern end of the landing field.

Also, on our initial drive southbound, we discovered a Yellow Warbler at Zion NP in the Watchman Campground on April 9th. Not sure if that's especially early or not for the area but thought you might like it for the records. It was in the company of a Yellow-rumped Warbler. There were few other birds around.