[Birdnet] Blue Jay in East Canyon

[Kristin Purdy]

I saw a BLUE JAY at about 4:15 this afternoon in East Canyon, Morgan County, below SR-66 at mile 3.1. The spot on the road is marked by the only power pole in East Canyon with a raptor perch that extends above the top of the pole. 

I really, really wasn't out looking for Blue Jays. I was out looking for Northern Pygmy-owls, but I didn't see any of those. Today's sunny weather reminded me of last winter's days when the owls hunted the snow-free south-facing slopes along SR-66. So once the family was deeply engaged with Christmas presents, the cats were asleep in the big pile of torn wrapping paper in the middle of the livingroom floor and I had my afternoon nap under my belt, I headed to East Canyon.

The Blue Jay was hanging out with a gang of 4-5 Steller's Jays. They seemed like a bunch of delinquents looking for trouble. They were filtering through the trees at the dam end of a pasture below the road. 

Also along SR-66 today were two large groups of Wild Turkeys between mile 5.5 and 6.5. East Canyon Reservoir has some open water where I saw Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, Mallards and a Canada Goose. Bald Eagles roosted in cottonwoods along East Canyon Creek, on the hoodoos below the dam and on the ice. There's a deer carcass on the ice and eagles and magpies were feeding on it.

To reach East Canyon, take I-84 to exit 103, Morgan. Turn toward town and onto SR-66. Watch the mile markers count down. The Blue Jay spot is 10 1/2 miles from the interstate. 

Kris
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