Utah County Birders Newsletter
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Contents
May Meeting
Upcoming Field Trips
Captain’s Log
Bird of the Month
Field Trip Report
- Tooele Co.
Field Trip Report
- Box Elder & Cache Co.
Field Trip Report
- Morgan & Summit Co.
Backyard Bird of the Month
April Hotline Highlights
MAY MEETING:
Thursday, May 8th, 2014 - 7:00 PM
Evening Field Trip - Powell Lake
In place of our Meeting this month we will go
birding! Meet at the Pioneer Crossing Park and Ride at 7:00 pm (west side of
I-15 off the Pioneer Crossing/American Fork Main Street exit). We will have a
quick meeting and then carpool to Powell Lake for a quick look around for spring
migrants.
8 May, 2014 (Thur): Powell Lake - Evening Field Trip - 7:00 PM - Leader Keeli Marvel - In place of our Meeting this month we will go birding! Meet at the Pioneer Crossing Park and Ride at 7:00 pm (west side of I-15 off the Pioneer Crossing/American Fork Main Street exit). We will have a quick meeting and then carpool to Powell Lake for a quick look around for spring migrants.
*The Great Salt
Lake Bird Festival is May 15-19th. More information on the festival events and
activities schedule can be found at
http://www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com/. Keeli will be leading a field trip
for the festival on May 16th. Check the festival website for more information.
*Keeli may schedule an impromptu local field trip on May 31st, so stay tuned!
We're also planning to do another overnight trip in June to either Grand and San
Juan counties, or to pick up Garfield, Wayne, and Piute counties.
We are actively recruiting people to lead local half-day field trips, any time,
any place. If you would like to lead a field trip or if you have any ideas for
this year’s field trips, please contact Bryan Shirley at -
bt_shirley@hotmail.com
by Keeli Marvel
What do birds eat?
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Photo by John Crawley |
The better question would probably be what don’t they eat? Bird diets vary in
about every way imaginable and what they eat dictates just about every aspect of
their lives. This includes where they live, when they live there, when and where
they migrate, even how colorful their plumage is.
Birds can be separated into two categories depending on their diets. Generalist
feeders use various means of getting their food or eat a variety of food items.
Specialists are birds that use a single method or strategy or eat a single type
of prey item. Some birds eat seeds, fruit or plants, some eat insects or
crustaceans, some eat other birds, some eat fish or mammals, and some birds (the
generalists) can vary their diets by season or food availability to eat a
combination of these things. Many bird species or families such as skimmers,
toucans, flamingos and crossbills have specially modified bills that have
evolved to exploit a very specific type of food item.
Birds have a highly efficient and unique digestive system that includes a
storage tank called a crop where food can be stored temporarily, and a super
stretchy esophagus that allows many species to swallow large prey items whole.
Because food often gets ingested whole, birds are also unique in having a
special chamber in their stomach that helps grind up food, often with the use of
sandy grit which the birds will actually ingest. This chamber is called the
gizzard, and it performs the function that our own molars perform in grinding up
the food (because birds don’t have molars!)
Many bird species have very specialized diets. Phainopepla (which many of you
are familiar with if you’ve ever visited Lytle) are mistletoe specialists and
the majority of their diet consists of mistletoe berries. The huge populations
of Eared Grebes that migrate through Utah are saline lake specialists and most
of them spend their time here at the Great Salt Lake feeding entirely on brine
shrimp and brine flies at the Great Salt Lake. Large migrating populations of
Eared Grebes can be found on other saline lakes as well, such as the Salton Sea
in California.
Birds in the flamingo family are saline lake specialists as well, and get their
pink coloring from alpha and beta carotinoid pigments from their filter-feeding
diets. The brighter their plumage, the healthier and more well fed the birds
are, and the more desirable they are as mates to other members of their species.
In the bird world it’s not who you are, but often how much you eat (or can
provide for her to eat) that gets the girl.
The Secretarybird of Sub-Saharan Africa is one of my favorite birds because of
its unique method of finding and capturing its food. If you’ll imagine a raptor
similar to a Crested Caracara with the supremely long legs of a crane (they can
get up to 4 ft tall!) you might get a good visual picture. Secretarybirds find
their food by stalking through fields and stomping on vegetation to drive out
prey. Often when prey emerges (snakes and small mammals), they stomp on the prey
to disable it enough to gobble it up. Sometimes their prey includes very
poisonous snakes like adders and cobras. I would stomp on them too if that’s
what I had to eat! STOMP STOMP STOMP.
I really could go on forever about the interesting things and ways birds eat,
but I’ll leave you with one more of my favorite examples. The Hoatzin bird of
South America is the only known species of bird that has evolved a digestive
system that is more like a cow’s than a bird’s. Cows have a four part stomach
that includes a special pre-stomach called the rumen. Cows process their food
multiple times by eating it, fermenting it in their rumen, regurgitating it and
chewing it again (you might have heard this referred to as chewing their cud),
and then swallowing and completing the digestive process. This allows them to
break down and absorb nutrients from the cellulose in plants that is typically
hard to digest. Hoatzin birds eat large amounts of leaf matter which requires
the same process of foregut (in their case crop) fermentation to break down.
They are often observed loafing around chewing their cud while the incredibly
long digestion process takes place. You can imagine the smell of all that
fermenting plant matter; that explains why they are often referred to as Stink
Birds. Yum!
Well this wraps up my brief coverage of what birds eat. Thanks for joining me.
Tune in next month (same bird time and same bird place) for more informative
(and hopefully entertaining) facts about birds.
Happy Birding!
Keeli Marvel
Sources consulted for this article included The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and
Behavior by David Allen Sibley, my notes from a class at BYU called World Bird
Families, and Wikipedia.
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photo by Douglas Mead |
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
by Douglas Mead
My First Utah Friends
Coming to Utah four and a half years ago, for what I thought was only a brief
time, was, to say the least, a difficult transition. For the previous 6 months I
had been living in Fiji and was just beginning to enjoy retirement, the laissez
faire mentality of the Fijian people and the constant 85 degree climate. Not to
mention the fantastic scenery, isolated beaches and lagoons and phenomenal
birding opportunities.
Notwithstanding I was glad I could contribute to my son’s educational goals and
coincidentally spend more time close to him, I suddenly found myself at the
other end of the climatic, cultural and life-style spectrum in Utah with only a
cursory knowledge of the state and no friends. I more or less languished in our
Utah County condo until one day in mid-April of 2011 when I heard an unfamiliar
bird calling mournfully from just outside my bedroom window. Going out to
investigate, I discovered a male Say’s Phoebe perched on a sign post who then
posed very cooperatively for a photo. Within seconds, I had made my first
“friend” in Utah.
A few days later I observed him with his mate, and for the next two months they
were just outside my window nest-building and raising their family. Though I
never actually saw the nest, I assumed it was somewhere within a large pile of
concrete and old lumber in a vacant field behind the condominium because that’s
where they generally were perched. Each day I would go down stairs and hide near
the trees in the back and watch them faithfully going about their prescribed
parental duties, and when they came close enough, I would talk with them
one-on-one. One or the other of them seemed to follow me out to the garage each
day and sit atop the roof and call. I fantasized that they had become as
attached to me as I was to them. But, in reality, I’m sure they were just
tolerant of my presence. Around the middle of July in 2011 through 2013 they
would disappear. Through research into the species I learned that Say’s Phoebes
typically migrate north from their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central
America beginning in late March and return south in early fall. Knowing that
they can travel as far north as Alaska and the Yukon, I have felt very
privileged that this pair had chosen the field behind my condo as their summer
residence. Where they went after raising their family is a mystery as they
likely didn’t return to their winter home until a couple of months later.
As I write this my heart is a bit heavy because the male has been here for the
past two weeks. I hear him calling incessantly each morning. To my ear his call
is sad and pitiful because the female has not appeared and we both are longing
for her return. He perched on my deck railing a couple of days ago—a first in
the three years we’ve know each other—and peered through the window as if
seeking my help in locating her. I felt helpless that I could not intervene in
his behalf. If she doesn’t come back soon I hope—and yet fear-- he will move on
and seek another mate. The species is monogamous, but I cannot determine if they
stay together during migration or if their travels just coincide. At any rate, I
have enjoyed our “friendship” over the past three years, and wish him, and her,
god speed.
If you would like to
write an article for the Bird of the Month, please contact
Machelle -
machelle13johnson@yahoo.com
Click here for past 'Birds of the Month'.
Field Trip Report
Tooele County
- 5 April 2014
by Bryan Shirley
This morning 3 of us had a good morning in Tooele County. We started off in 5
mile pass with several singing Sagebrush Sparrows and Sage Thrashers. At
Fitzgerald WMA we added about 30 species quickly - all of the common waterfowl
was there, including about 40 RB Mergansers. There were a few migrant arrivals
too like Avocets and Tree Swallows. Our next stop was Clover Springs Campground.
Overall it was not very birdy, but we did see a couple of Belted Kingfishers, a
small group of Bushtits and a Juniper Titmouse. Rush Lake is packed with several
thousand ducks, but most were too far to see well. Our last stop was at the Mill
Ponds in Stansbury. Not a lot of ducks there now, but there was a DC Cormorant
and a bunch of raucous GT Grackles. Our final list for the morning was 51
species.
Field Trip Report
Box Elder and Cache Counties
- 12 April 2014
by Keeli Marvel
3 Utah Birders met last Saturday to bird Box Elder
and Cache counties. Our first stop was the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
visitor's center. It wasn't open yet, but we birded the ponds around the visitor
center and picked up most of our county species for Box Elder county. A quick
drive a couple of miles west toward refuge picked up the rest of our 29 species
for the challenge for Box Elder county. Highlights included FOY swallows, FOY
Swainson's Hawk, and several Long-billed Curlews in the fields along the road.
From there we drove through Brigham City and up Sardine Canyon. We picked up a
few species at the summit, and then through Logan valley and into Logan, to the
Logan River Wetlands just west of the Logan Landfill. This place was just full
of birds. Highlights here were 10 species of ducks, a FOY Franklin's Gull, FOY
Cattle Egrets, and FOY Black-necked Stilts. We also met up with Alton Thygerson
at this point to show off the Cattle Egrets we were excited about finding.
On our way back to Utah County, we stopped to pick up a few Davis county species
for a couple birders in our group who still needed birds in that county. Odgen
bay was pretty messy with limited access, and the wind had picked up at that
point, so we didn't quite get 29 species before it was time to head back.
Complete lists of species seen below. Happy Birding!
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Bear River MBR--Visitor Center, Box Elder, US-UT
Apr 12, 2014 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.7 mile(s)
Comments: UCB Field Trip completing Box Elder County List, birding at Bear River
Refuge Visitor Center and along 3.7 miles of the road toward refuge (but didn't
make it to refuge)
31 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 4
Gadwall 4
Mallard 4
Cinnamon Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 6
Green-winged Teal (American) 4
Bufflehead 2
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
American White Pelican 4
Great Blue Heron 1
White-faced Ibis 30
Swainson's Hawk 1
American Coot 10
Sandhill Crane 2
American Avocet 6
Killdeer 4
Long-billed Curlew 3
gull sp. 100
American Kestrel 1
Black-billed Magpie 3
Common Raven 4
Tree Swallow 30
Cliff Swallow 20
American Robin 5
European Starling 30
Song Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Western Meadowlark 10
Yellow-headed Blackbird 20
House Sparrow 20
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Dry Lake, Cache, US-UT
Apr 12, 2014 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: UCB Field Trip. Birding at Sardine Canyon summit and north a mile down
the canyon
6 species
Mallard 10
Cinnamon Teal 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
Tree Swallow 2
Mountain Bluebird 1
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Hwy 89 into Logan, Cache, US-UT
Apr 12, 2014 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
7.0 mile(s)
Comments: Birds seen driving from College Park into Logan on Hwy 89, to 200 N in
Logan
10 species
Canada Goose 2
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
California Gull 20
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Black-billed Magpie 4
Common Raven 5
American Robin 3
European Starling 10
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Sue's Pond--Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa, Cache, US-UT
Apr 12, 2014 11:00 AM - 12:09 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: UCB Field Trip. Joined by Alton Thygerson and his wife
24 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 10
Mallard 2
Cinnamon Teal 10
Northern Shoveler 2
Green-winged Teal (American) 2
Canvasback 1
Redhead 6
Ring-necked Duck 3
Bufflehead 2
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
American White Pelican 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Buteo sp. 1
American Coot 10
Black-necked Stilt 3
American Avocet 4
Franklin's Gull 1
California Gull 200
Tree Swallow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Yellow-headed Blackbird 20
Field Trip Report
Morgan and Summit Counties
- 21 April 2014
by Bryan Shirley
Just
finished up our field trip to Morgan and Summit Counties. The Sage Grouse put on
a pretty good show this morning. I counted at least 29 males displaying and 1
female as well. They were split into 2 groups - one right in and along the road
and the other out in the field. There Vesper Sparrows singing at the grouse lek
as well. East Canyon had a good number of Common Loons and a few Western and
Common Grebes. There was a male Wood Duck right where the creek comes into East
Canyon. Summit County didn't produce anything uncommon, but Echo had a ton of
Common Loons and a good variety of waterfowl and other water birds near the
inlet. We ended up with 57 species (plus a couple more I didn't see). Here is
our list for the day:
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winge Teal (Echo)
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Greater Sage Grouse
Common Loon
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
Am White Pelican
DC Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
White-faced Ibis
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestral
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
WIllet (FOY - Echo)
Ring-billed Gull
CA Gull
Caspian Tern
Rock Pigeon
Morning Dove
Eur Collared Dove
Great Horned Owl
Northern Flicker
Black-billed Magpie
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Nor Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Mountain Bluebird
Am Robin
Eur Starling
Spotted Towhee
Vesper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow (Ent to East Canyon Resort in willows)
White-cr Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
Cassin's Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
April 2014
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Great Horned Owl
in Eric Peterson's backyard. |
Jack Binch - Sandy
Best bird last month was a male Lazuli Bunting.
Eric Huish - Pleasant Grove
White-throated Sparrow - Saw it a few times under the feeders but mostly
just heard it singing for about a week before it moved on.
Keeli Marvel - Saratoga Springs
White-crowned Sparrow
- at feeder.
Milt Moody - Provo
Black-headed Grosbeak - a male visited my yard a couple of times and I've
heard it singing.
Eric Peterson - American Fork
Great Horned Owl - It showed up on April 26. It sat in the tree for about
45 minutes until a pesky scrub-jay chased it off.
Bruce Robinson - West Jordan
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- First of the year, always welcome!!
Leena Rogers -
Provo
Several beautiful Lazuli Buntings suddenly appeared on my platform
feeder. Always welcome visitors and a sure sign of spring!
Kay Stone - Lehi
I had a Vesper Sparrow under my feeder in late April and also a day later
a Brewers Sparrow.
Alton Thygerson - Provo
California Quail - 3 adult pairs coming into the yards feeder’s the same
time.
Report your favorite backyard
bird each month to Eric Huish at 801-360-8777 or erichuish@gmail.com
The Utah County Birders Newsletter is now online only/mostly.
We've decided to stop the regular paper mail version of the UCB Newsletter. This will save our club on Printing, Postage and Paper. If you would like an email notice each month when the Newsletter is posted online please send an email to Eric Huish at erichuish@gmail.com or subscribe to the ucbnet mailing list. To subscribe to ucbnet just send an e-mail to ucbnet-subscribe@utahbirds.org
We are willing to print the online version of the newsletter and mail it out to anyone who still wants a paper copy or who doesn't have internet access. If you know of anyone who enjoys the UCB Newsletter but doesn't have internet access please let Eric Huish or Keeli Marvel know and we will make sure they get a copy.
Printable Version of this UCB Newsletter