Snow Geese Field Trip

["Carol Gwynn" <cgwynn at earthlink dot net>]

No, the Snow Geese didn't take a field trip, we did.  Actually, maybe the
Snow Geese WERE on a field trip, since we didn't see as many as we've seen
in years past.  At any rate, the Salt Lake Birders had a great field trip to
Delta yesterday, March 13.  We couldn't have ordered up nicer weather at the
drive-through.  On the road from Nephi to Leamington, we spotted all three
species of teal - just one Blue Winged, and numerous Cinnamons and
Green-Wings.  At Gunnison Bend, the ice was off, and there were both Snow
(including Blue), Geese and at least one Ross's in the small group we
observed.  Our visit to Clear Lake netted the usual waterfowl, as well as a
Sage Thrasher.  On one of the ponds at Clear Lake near the house, we saw
something we hadn't seen before.  A Northern Harrier was in the water,
seemingly trying to drown a Ruddy Duck.  It was pretty wild.  The duck got
away, but went under shortly after.  I didn't see him resurface, so I'm not
sure if he survived the ordeal.  On the road from Clear Lake to Fillmore, we
chased a group of Bushtits through the pinon-juniper, and also tracked a
Sage Sparrow until everyone got a reasonable look.  We also observed a pair
of Great Horned Owls - the female on the nest and the male standing guard a
couple of branches away.  Nice trip.  

Carol G.

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