Long-eared Owls, Mew Gull

[Joel Beyer <twobirders at juno dot com>]

We visited Garr Ranch on Antelope Island this morning and found the two
previously reported Long-eared Owls.  However, they were not in the
streamside thicket, but rather, sitting in the rafters of the barn.  One
of the owls stayed in camouflage posture, while the other actively flew
about inside the barn chasing juncos and imagined prey (i.e., that we
could neither see nor hear).  This owl eventually flew outside,
whereabouts unknown.
This afternoon we ventured down to Utah Lake State Park to look for the
reported Mew Gull.  We first saw it sitting on some logs where the Provo
River enters the lake.  After a short look, it flew, and we later
relocated it on the partially ice-covered pond (marina?), where we were
able to observe it closely for about an hour.  Our conclusion is that it
is definitely a Mew Gull, second-winter changing to adult.  

Joel and Kathy Beyer

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