| Greater White-fronted Goose | Washington Co. |
| Barrow's Goldeneye | Wasatch Co. |
| Hooded Merganser | Davis Co. |
| ICELAND GULL (possible) | Davis Co. |
| LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL | Davis Co. |
| Glaucous-winged Gull | Davis Co. |
| Glaucous Gull | Davis Co. |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | Wasatch Co. |
| Short-eared Owl | Davis Co. |
| Varied Thrush | Utah Co., Weber Co. |
| White-throated Sparrow | Summit Co. |
| Snow Bunting | Utah Co. |
| Common Grackle | Utah Co. |
| Utah Birdline (801) 538-4730 Compiler: Mark Stackhouse Transcriber: Mark Stackhouse |
DAVIS COUNTY
The possible first-winter ICELAND GULL, which was first seen on 12/22 (DS), continues to be seen at the Bountiful Landfill (m.obs.). The most recent report is from Saturday, 01/06. However, recent analysis of photographs has cast doubt on the identity of this bird, and it now appears unlikely that this bird is a "pure" Iceland Gull. The bird shows characteristics of both Iceland and Thayer's Gulls, and is most likely an intergrade or hybrid between these types; some birders have suggested that it may be a small female Glaucous-winged Gull or other hybrid. It may prove impossible to positively identify this bird. There are no accepted records of Iceland Gull in Utah.
Also at the Bountiful Landfill, a third-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on Tuesday, 01/02 (C&TN) and again on Wednesday, 01/03 (TS,LW). It was also seen on Saturday, 01/06 (MS,DW). The bird flew off to the north, towards Farmington Bay WMA on all three occasions. This is the third record of Lesser Black-backed Gull in Utah.
Other good gulls seen at the Bountiful Landfill include at least three GLAUCOUS GULLS, one first-winter, one second-winter and one adult, seen on Saturday, 01/06 (MS,DW), and a first-winter GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, seen on Saturday, 01/06 (MS,DW) and on Tuesday, 01/09 (CW). To get to the Bountiful Landfill, take 500 West in Bountiful north to 1600 North, and turn west, following that road into the landfill.
Four HOODED MERGANSERS were seen on the northern-most of the Kaysville ponds on Saturday, 01/06 (SC). The Kaysville ponds can be seen from I-15 at Kaysville, and can be accessed from exit 331.
SHORT-EARED OWLS have been reported from Farmington Bay WMA throughout the fall and winter, but the nine that were seen along the west dike road on Monday, 01/01 (DJ) are an extreme number for even for that location. It's a tough life for a vole out there . . .
SUMMIT COUNTY
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continues to be seen at a feeder in the Timberline neighborhood near Summit Park with a recent report from Monday, 01/08 (LL).
UTAH COUNTY
A VARIED THRUSH was seen in southeastern Provo on Friday, 01/06 (DS). It was seen again on Monday, 01/08 (MM). To get to where the bird was seen, take State St. to 1640 South and turn west for 400 yds. to the railroad tracks. Just before crossing the tracks, turn right onto a cinder road, and go to the parking area a short way along this road. The bird was seen in this area.
A SNOW BUNTING was seen at the southwest corner of the southern extension of the Provo Airport dike road on Thursday, 01/04 (RS).
At the Lehi Roller Mills in Lehi (across from the Wendy's at the SR 73 exit from I-15), 27 COMMON GRACKLES were seen on the Jordan River CBC on Monday, 01/01 (DT).
WASATCH COUNTY
On Monday, 01/01, a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL was seen in Midway at 450 South Center St., and a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen at the upper end of Deer Creek Reservoir (K&JB).
WASHINGTON COUNTY
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen at the Southgate GC in St. George on Monday, 01/01 (RW).
WEBER COUNTY
A VARIED THRUSH was seen at the Ogden Nature Center on Thursday, 01/11 (L&PS). It was seen between the 2nd and 3rd feeders along the Plane City Canal. The Ogden Nature Center is just east of I-15 on 12th Street in Ogden.
Observers: K&JB=Kathy & Joel Beyer, SC=Steve Coleman, DJ=David Jensen, LL=Letitia Lussier, MM=Milton Moody, C&TN=Colby & Tom Neuman, TS=Terry Sadler, DS=Dennis Shirley, L&PS=Lee & Paula Shirley, MS=Mark Stackhouse, RS=Reed Stone, DT=Donna Thorum, CW=Cliff Weisse, DW=David Wheeler, RW=Robin Wolcott (of MT), LW=Larene Wyss
Abbreviations used:
CBC = Christmas Bird Count GC = golf course m.ob. = many observers SR = State Route WMA = Waterfowl Management Area
This concludes the Utah Bird Report for Thursday, January 11, 2001.
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.