Black-throated Blue @ South Fork

["Matthew J. Williams" <mjw22 at comcast dot net>]

Hello All,

	Today (10/6), my wife and I hiked up to Big Springs up South Fork 
Canyon off the Provo Canyon.  On the way back, we stopped to look at a 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet and, out of nowhere, a nice adult male Black-throated 
Blue Warbler appeared close enough to ID without binoculars. This was at 
about noon. Once I was over the shock, I saw it in my binoculars. 
Beautiful bird.  The black throat contrast was obvious, as was the nice 
white spot on the wing. I let my wife have a look and the bird headed off, 
which is typical when I hand over the binoculars.  While this was pretty 
exciting for Utah, this is one of my favorite birds from back east so I am 
very familiar with this species.

	Location:  From the National Forest Access in South Fork Canyon, 
we parked in the upper lot.  The bird was seen nearly 0.5 mile up the fire 
road (not the singletrack).  On the way up, you will cross the creek twice 
and, about 2-300 feet before the big meadow, you will see a large 
narrow-leaved cottonwood on the right with a dead branch hanging over the 
road.  The bird was seen on the left side of the trail (when facing up the 
trail).  It was with R-c Kinglets and I think I heard Yellow-rumpeds as 
well.  It headed off farther to the left (SW) and out of sight.

	And,as a very insignificant footnote, there were some Ruffed 
Grouse along the trail an one of the males was giving a very interesting 
display. It was the first time I'd ever seen the ruff.

Good Luck,
Matt Williams
Provo, UT


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