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Mantua Reservoir offered the best birding of the
several Box Elder County spots I hit today. Most waterfowl and waterbirds
can be found in the extreme south and north ends of the reservoir. Here
are the highlights:
This reservoir offers the finest grebe
habitat. I saw five species of grebes and believe me, I looked for a sixth
(;^D. A pair of Eared Grebes hung out in American Coot heaven--the
south end--and I found the sighting welcome because so few of these little fluff
balls spent the winter with us on Great Salt Lake. Both grebes were
still completely in winter plumage. One Horned Grebe swam alone on the
west side along the dike that provides an expansive vista of the entire body of
water. This grebe had only developed the thick gold stripes on its
head, and of course, that brilliant red eye beamed out at me like a laser.
The remainder of the plumage was still gray and white. Another Horned
Grebe swam at the crowded north end. This second grebe had almost
completely donned his or her summer attire with the exception of the
rufous neck. I also saw Pied-billed Grebes at both ends of the
reservoir and several Western and Clark's at the north end.
The many Buffleheads were feeling their oats
and probably sowing them, too. Both the males and females chased each
other like mad. When one duck became separated from a pair or small group
by just 20 feet or so, the loner launched itself and took off aiming over the
others in fast, direct flight. The duck's purposeful flight made it seem
as if this was the leg of the journey that would end in the Yukon
Territories. Just as the launching Bufflehead reached the others, it
would drop quickly and waterski to an incredibly fast stop with the group.
The loner splashed every other duck like the mischievious waterskier
it was. I watched this play over and over again, and I truly believe the
purpose was to get the others wet.
I saw three Barrow's Goldneyes--a male at the south
end and a male and a female at the north end--and I bet there were more. I
both improved and hurt my view by sitting at the water's edge. The
low angle made me less obvious, but the ducks bobbed lower in the troughs 'tween
the little waves. It was tough to separate out more Barrow's from all the
Common Goldeneyes.
Most of the waterfowl was crowded into the
protected north end and I was itching to get a better view than scoping from the
dike allowed. Why? I thought sure at least one of the scaup I could
see at a great distance was a Greater. The reservoir offers no access from
the north end unless you do what I did--use the natural blind features and wade
into the water. Scrubby trees grow along the edge and at least 10 feet out
into the reservoir. They disguise the approach of an itchy birder, for
sure. I wended my way through them, stepped into the water up to my
ankles, and set up my tripod up there, too. Perhaps that sounds crazy, but
I really was wearing boots.
Ring-necked Ducks were aware of my presence in the
trees, but couldn't get a clear view of me. They didn't flush. As
soon as I focused my scope on one Ring-necked male, it stretched that neck high
and gave me a great view of that eponymous plumage feature--the cinnamon ring at
the base of the duck's neck. This was perhaps the most rewarding
sight of the day. I've never seen this ring before, and I know why.
The view has to be just as I saw it for the ring to show--good view, bright
light, duck stretching. Some field guides don't even show the color at the
base of the neck because it's so hard to see out in the field.
I surveyed the other ducks and saw Mallards,
American Wigeon, Gadwall, Canvasbacks, Redheads, Common and Red-breasted
Mergansers (first of the year), and Northern Shovelers. And finally,
I could see that I was blessed with Greater Scaups among the Lessers. I
ignored the females entirely and concentrated on counting the males. I saw
at least nine male Greater Scaups. 'Bout
the time I got up to nine, Mantua Reservoir found its way into my boots. I
can now say that I had the whole spring Wasatch Front experience--great birding
and a snowmelt reservoir seeping into boots that really aren't designed for
wading in a snowmelt reservoir. I ended my reservoir sojourn after
enjoying the water's ambience for another half hour or so.
During the Mantua experience, I also saw Cinnamon
Teal, California and Ring-billed Gulls, Tree Swallows, and Black-capped
Chickadees. Mantua Reservoir is located on
US 89/91 about 5 miles east of Brigham City.
Here are a few other Box Elder County advisories so
you don't have to learn what I learned today, the hard way:
Harold Crane WMA, southwest of Willard Bay, is now
closed to all visitors until Sep 1.
The flies are already out in billowing,
windshield-splattering, nostril-clogging clouds along Willard Bay's south
dike.
The farm pond that's north of the Willard Bay State
Park entrance is no longer accessible. The road that runs along the east
side of the pond has been fenced off. When the trees bud out, the
spot is hardly worth a visit anymore. It's too bad; last year I spent
some quality time there with several Black-crowned Night Herons.
Kris
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