[Birdnet] A Short But Good Birding Day

[STEPHEN T CARLILE]

I took the time after Thanksgiving to do a short birding trip this morning Friday, 24 Nov, by first visiting Decker Lake and Stonebridge Golf Course in West Valley City and then checking out Lee Kay Ponds and the Saltair Marine.  Nothing spectacular but a total of 33 species seen including 6 duck species at Decker Lake and 12 duck species at Lee Kay Ponds (e.g., Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Redhead).  I also saw a lone Double-crested Cormorant and a juvenile/first winter American Herring Gull at Lee Kay Ponds.  Two Rough legged Hawks with some Red-tails were seen on the frontage road between the Saltair Marine and 7200 West.

Another sighting, which I hesitate to mention because of my lack of experience with this one, is a possible group of four Cackling Canada Geese at the Stonebridge Golf Course in West Valley City.  I have zero experience with this "new" species, but I thought I had better mention it.  The reason why I feel it is a possibility is that the four birds were in a flock of 75 other "Canada Geese" that were only 30 feet from me on the water.  The four were together and were significantly smaller than the other geese. Their bills were also shorter.  However, there were no plumage differences that I could tell.  Sorry, but no pictures.  The "group of four" was seen on the golf course "canal" that runs north, beginning at Parkway Boulevard, just west of Bangerter Highway.  There is a sidewalk that runs along the west side of the canal that can be accessed though any of the business parking lots.  The gold course is actually on the east side of the canal.  (Please note that while I was there, there were approximately 500 Canada Geese on the entire stretch of the canal.)  Parkway Boulevard is approximately 2700 South on Bangerter Highway.  When on Bangerter, turn west onto Parkway Boulevard.  You will immediately cross a bridge which is where the canal starts.  Then take the first street on the right and enter the first parking lot, which is also on the right. The sidewalk starts on the east side of the parking lot and goes north.  If anyone wants to bother checking this out I would appreciate knowing what you think/find.

A fun few hours day.

Stephen
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