Bad Views of Good Birds

["Kristin Purdy" <kristinpurdy at comcast dot net>]

About 100 Snow Geese rested at Geertsen Bay of Pineview Reservoir in 
Weber County this afternoon around 2 pm.  Naturally, the instant I got 
my scope on them and ID'd the raggedy white line as a gaggle of geese 
they all lifted off the water in unison.  In just a flap or two they 
were transformed into a flock of white and black confetti.  I had no 
chance to check for Ross's Geese; all I can say for sure is there were 
no dark-phase birds present. 

This flock was in bad need of a leader that could make a decision.  They 
stayed airborne for about 15 minutes over the same spot in the 
reservoir, sometimes attempting to alight in an adjacent field, 
sometimes just circling and fighting the wind.  They finally put down in 
that field in a new subdivision north of the Middle Inlet Swim area and 
I headed that way to spy on them.  All I got to see was the flock 
airborne again and flying northwest toward Liberty.  Despite several 
sweeps over different parts of the water, I never saw them again. 

>From the Port Ramp marina on the west side of the reservoir, I scoped 
across the water to the east side (a pretty long shot) and saw an adult 
white swan swimming with what I presume were two cygnets.  The young 
birds were smaller and gray and were staying very close to the adult.  I 
couldn't find them again either when I made my way back to the Middle 
Inlet.  But while I was watching the swans a BONAPARTE'S GULL flew 
through my scope view.  I later saw a small group of Bonaparte's landing 
on the water with Ring-billed Gulls when the light faded to gray murk 
and the snow began to spit again.  The flock was alighting on the water 
near the pullout at about mm 15, SR-39. 

Other birds on the water today included Canada Geese, Gadwall, American 
Wigeon, Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, and 
Common Mergansers.  However, there were few individuals of any species 
present. 

Geertsen Bay is located on the north end of the reservoir and is due 
south of the Bar B Ranch on SR-166.  The bay is accessible from two 
paths labeled as Angler's Accesses.  The Middle Inlet Swim Area is 
located on the northeast side of the reservoir along SR-166.  The gate 
is closed to vehicle traffic, but you can still walk in for good views 
of the water (and bad views of good birds). 

Kris

_______________________________________________

"Utah Birds" web site: http://www.utahbirds.org
     BirdTalk:
To subscribe, e-mail:  birdtalk-subscribe@utahbirds.org
To unsubscribe, e-mail:  birdtalk-unsubscribe@utahbirds.org
To send a message, e-mail:  birdtalk@utahbirds.org
_________________________________________________