Fish Springs NWR - Least Tern, Pacific Loon, American Redstart

["Colby Neuman" <scythebill83 at hotmail dot com>]

My dad and I headed out to Fish Springs NWR (Juab Co.) today...just a little 
change in scenery from NY!  Here were some of the more notable sightings 
from the day:

Blue-winged Teal - 1 male in Avocet Unit
Common Goldeneye - 1 lingering female in Ibis Unit
PACIFIC LOON - 1 - It was in the far east end of Avocet Unit.  The loon 
appeared to be molting into first summer plumage.  I obtained a few decent 
photographs of the unusual plumage the bird was displaying!
Great Egret - 1 in Avocet Unit
LEAST TERN - 1 adult mixed in with a flock of approximately 30 Forster's 
Terns in Mallard Unit.  I was also able to obtain poor, but sufficient 
photographs of this bird for documentation.
Lewis' Woodpecker - 1 in the picnic area - less than annual at the refuge
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 in the housing area - less than annual at the 
refuge
AMERICAN REDSTART - 1 second calender year male in the picnic area - it sang 
occassionally

Note: the loon, tern and redstart were all seen in areas OPEN to the public. 
 Contact Jay Banta to gain access to the rest of the refuge.

An interesting observation occurred on the way home when we came across 
about 1000 California Gulls feeding on crickets in the sagebrush and 
junipers along the Pony Express Road between Simpson's Springs and Dugway 
Pass (i.e. in the middle of nowhere).  It was a spectacle to watch!

Colby

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