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Mike Jensen and I floated the 8 miles of the Green
River from below Flaming Gorge Dam to Little Hole Saturday, January 31st..
The river's fast moving clean water with constant temperatures not only creates
an abundant food source for trout but water birds as well. We easily seen
45 American Dippers. 5 alone
were busy at the boat ramp directly below the dam.
Also on this beautiful stretch of river were
Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Common and Barrow's Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal,
Mallard and Ring-necked duck. 6 Bald Eagles and 2 Golden Eagles kept the ducks
in check.
Oddly 2 coots flew out from the redrock cliffs and
boulders about 12 feet above the waters edge.
Kingfishers were noticeably absent. A few
Townsend's Solitaires could be found.
Upwards to 175 robins were gleaning insects from
the exposed rocks in and along the river at the Little Hole
take-out.
If boating's not your thing, try the excellent
hiking trail along the east side of the river.
4 flocks of "snowbirds" were seen in and around
Manila. Around Sheep Creek one flock of about 20 dark birds was surely Black
Rosy Finches. Horned Larks with Snow Buntings mixed in made up the
other flocks.
Tim
Gorman
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