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After seeing the Bobolink in the North Fields
around Heber Saturday, I thought surely the Ogden Valley would provide the
proper habitat as well. I found several Bobolink on the north side of UT
39, and 1/2 mile east of the turn toward Monte Cristo. I pulled off the
road at a rusty mailbox with the street number 8117. I could see Bobolink
due north but they were so far away I couldn't hear them. I returned
west to the intersection of UT 39, 100S into Huntsville, and 7800 East, and
followed 7800 East exactly a half mile north, as if I was headed to Middle Fork
WMA. I turned east onto an unmarked dirt road through the
fields. The dirt road was across the street from 617N 7800E, a house
that's for sale. The road was obviously intended for farm
vehicles. I used 4WD to get through mud puddles that would have
swallowed a small car. I had great views of both a male and a female on
the fence line as the fence stretched out in front of me. Other males
were much farther away. They both circled fields and landed in the
grass, invisible. I was able to see them about a half mile further north
from a subdivision road called Middle Fork Meadows. I had to use the scope
and look south to pick them out again. I doubt I saw more than six
birds, between all three spots I surveyed.
The habitat is identical to the North Fields,
complete with winnowing Common Snipe, singing Savannah Sparrrows, and
of course, the Bobolink.
Kris
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