[Birdnet] American Redstart at Willard Bay SP

[Kristin Purdy]

A female AMERICAN REDSTART was at Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County this morning. The bird was in low Russian Olives above the channel east of Willow Creek campsites 31 and 33. The spot is known for Northern Waterthrushes, which is why I was there, but I didn't see one of those. This is the same spot where last year I saw a Tennessee Warbler in late August while I was looking for a waterthrush that I didn't see. Gee, these waterthrushes that I don't see are bringing in some great birds. 

Just as I lost sight of the redstart I noticed two birders leaving the campground and crossing the three-billy-goats-gruff bridge over the nature trail at campsite 31. I chased them down like a crazy woman. They were Kathy and Bill Coleman, thank goodness, because they understood my dragging them back to the channel. We found the redstart again and the bird came in so close to Kathy she couldn't use her binoculars to look at it (bragging here on Kathy's behalf, but I can't help myself). 

That's the first American Redstart I've seen in about a hundred years. I'm too lazy to visit Jordanelle Wetlands in the summer to see them there. 

The bird was silent the whole time and indifferent to pishing. However, she exhibited classic redstart behavior, somewhat like a flycatcher, was very active and flipped her tail consistently while the yellow patches at the base flashed. 

Ridiculously high numbers of Western Tanagers and Gray Catbirds were in the park today. Other warbler species there include good numbers of Yellow, Wilson's, and MacGillivray's Warblers, a couple Yellow-rumped, and one Orange-crowned. Another pair of likely migrants were the Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Great-tailed Grackles flew repeatedly over the water along the shoreline and through the campgrounds. 

The main entrance to Willard Bay State Park is located west of I-15 Exit 357. 

Kris
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