Utah Bird Report for 11/03/99
Submitted by Mark Stackhouse (westwings@sisna.com) to the bird net

Birds mentioned

Ross's Goose Washington Co.
Bald Eagle Davis Co.
Merlin Salt Lake Co., Utah Co.
Common Moorhen Washington Co.
Pectoral Sandpiper Box Elder Co.
MEW GULL Utah Co.
Western Screech-Owl Salt Lake Co.
Lewis's Woodpecker Utah Co., Weber Co.
Three-toed Woodpecker Summit Co.
Northern Shrike Box Elder Co., Davis Co.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Weber Co.
HARRIS'S SPARROW Utah Co.
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW Washington Co.
LAPLAND LONGSPUR Box Elder Co.
Pine Grosbeak Summit Co.

Transcript

Utah Birdline
(801) 538-4730
Compiler: Mark Stackhouse
Transcriber: Mark Stackhouse

BOX ELDER COUNTY

A winter-plumaged male LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (BRMBR) on Saturday, 10/30 (MS,E&RV). The bird was on road along the north side of the auto-tour loop, about 1/2 mile east of the northwest corner.

Two NORTHERN SHRIKES were seen along the east side of the auto-tour loop at BRMBR on Saturday, 10/30 (MS,E&RV).

Another NORTHERN SHRIKE, and 4 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were seen at BRMBR on Thursday, 10/21 (KE,JR).

DAVIS COUNTY A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen at Farmington Bay WMA on Monday, 11/01 (CG). The bird was in a small tree along the east side of the entrance road, just past the maintenance sheds.

An adult BALD EAGLE was seen in the dead trees just east of the Goose Egg Island observation point at Farmington Bay WMA, on Monday, 11/01 (BS,MS).

SALT LAKE COUNTY A MERLIN was seen flying over the neighborhood around 1900 East 1700 South in Salt Lake City on Monday, 11/01 (BS,MS). This is the same area where a Merlin has spent the winter for the past several years.

A WESTERN SCREECH-OWL was seen roosting in Memory Grove Park on Sunday, 10/31 (M&MSm). The owl was in the trees above the Freedom Trail Memorial.

SUMMIT COUNTY On Monday, 10/25, a THREE-TOED WOODPECKER was seen at the Trail Lake Campground along the Mirror Lake Highway, and three PINE GROSBEAKS were seen at the Mirror Lake Campground (CGe,MSm).

UTAH COUNTY The apparent first-winter MEW GULL, which was seen in North Park in Spanish Fork on Sunday, 10/24, continues to be seen by many observers. The most recent report is from Tuesday, 11/02 (HC). To get to North Park, take the US 6 (Price) exit from I-15, and go east to the first stop light, then turn right. Go right at the stop sign, and continue one block to the park entrance.
(Note: In a post to the Birdnet dated 11/13/1999, Mark Stackhouse reports that "the bird is not a 'Mew' Gull, or even another form of Larus canus, such as "Common" Gull, but rather a small, small-billed Ring-billed Gull. That's the unanimous conclusion of myself and ten experts who responded to my request to review the photos of this bird (taken by Colby Neuman) posted on www.utahbirds.com. Among the distinguished group commenting on this bird are Paul Lehman, Michael Patton, Nick Lethaby, Matt Hiendel, and Tony Leukering. They provided great insight and analysis of this identification problem.)

An immature HARRIS'S SPARROW was seen along the Provo/Jordan River Parkway, just north of the Provo Boat Harbor at Utah Lake SP, on Sunday, 10/31 (TR).

A MERLIN was seen along the Provo/Jordan River Parkway, just north of the Provo Boat Harbor at Utah Lake SP, on Sunday, 10/31 (TR).

A LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was seen in Salem on Saturday, 10/30 (DG,DS). To get to where the bird was seen, turn off US 6 onto Woodland Hills Ave. north of town, go to 9550 South, and turn right. Look on the trees and utility poles in this area.

WASHINGTON COUNTY A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at Ash Creek Reservoir, along I-15 south of Cedar City, on Sunday, 10/24 (P&SS). Take exit 36 from I-15 to access the reservoir.

At Seegmiller Pond, near the Springs Estates subdivision in Washington Fields, a ROSS'S GOOSE and 3 COMMON MOORHENS were seen on Saturday, 10/30 (JK).

WEBER COUNTY A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen at Ogden Bay WMA on Wednesday, 10/27 (CJG). The bird was near the south entrance, in the brush by the second bridge as you enter the WMA.

LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS have returned to the same area in Pleasant View where they were seen last winter, as reported Tuesday, 10/26 (IP). The birds are along 900 West about 1.5 miles north of town, where the road enters a gated community. Look in the dead trees near the gate.

This concludes the Utah Bird Report for Wednesday, November 3, 1999.

Observers: HC=Harold Clayson, KE=Keith Evans, CGe=Carol Getz (of CA), DG=Dana Green, CJG=C.J. Grimes, CG=Carol Gwynn, JK=Josh Kreitzer, IP=Ingrid Paine, JR=Jack Rensel, TR=Tuula Rose, DS=Drucilla Seward, MSm=Margaret Smith, M&MSm=Margaret & Mike Smith, BS=Bethany Stackhouse, MS=Mark Stackhouse, P&SS=Priscilla & Steve Summers, E&RV=Elizabeth & Richard Vanderlip (of KS).

Please report your sightings by calling the Utah Birdline at: (801) 538-4730 or by e-mail to westwings@sisna.com

You may e-mail questions and comments to westwings@sisna.com or you may call (801) 487-9453.