[Birdnet] Harris's Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird

[Kristin Purdy]

Willard Bay State Park in Box Elder County produced a HARRIS'S SPARROW and a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD this afternoon. The Harris's Sparrow was at Willow Creek Campground campsite #15. Cracked corn is sprinkled along the northwest edge of the campsite and across the road east of the campsite. Other birds eating the corn included White-crowned, Song and House Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds. 

Campsite #15 is on the northwest side of Willow Creek Campground by the water and I recommend approaching it from the south through campsites 16 and 17. You won't be able to see the front of the campsite sign with the number from that direction, but you will be able to see both edge habitats where the sparrows were feeding. The Harris's used both sides of the campsite. I found it handy to have a scope to watch from a distance so the sparrows would come out of the brush without being wary of me.

The Harris's spent more time within the brush than did his fellow sparrows, so plan to be patient and watch for awhile. He or she is a rather pugnacious bird and made several feints at small groups of other sparrows feeding along the edge, scattering them. But occasionally the Harris's emerged into the clear and fed peacefully with the others. I watched this bird for perhaps 45 minutes and completely agree with the field guide author who called the Harris's a 'handsome' sparrow.

I witnessed the funniest behavior shortly after seeing the sparrow for the first time. The bird hopped into the edge of the brush in shade, picked up a leaf, held it high and started turning around and around as if he were waltzing and imagining the leaf were his partner. Then he repeated the whole pantomime. It was really quite comical. 

The Northern Mockingbird was at Willow Creek campsite #28 in the heavily laden Russian Olive next to the picnic table. Either this bird ate something that disagreed with it or mockingbirds eject pellets. Three times I saw the mocker eject something--perhaps olive pits--during an otherwise peaceful observation period. 

My original purpose in visiting Willard Bay today was to check on the White-throated Sparrows that members of Wasatch Audubon saw on Wednesday near the entrance gate to Willow Creek Campground at the camp host site and at campsite #1. Alas, I didn't see either bird. 

I also visited Dale Young Nature Park in Perry, Box Elder County, this morning. The ponds are completely open and hosted a good variety of winter birds including Canada Geese, Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, a Pied-billed Grebe, a Northern Harrier, an American Kestrel, Virginia Rails, an American Coot, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, Ring-billed Gulls, a Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Song and White-crowned Sparrows, and American Goldfinches. Mort and Carolyn Somer were birding the park as well. In addition to most of the species above, they also saw a Wilson's Snipe and Common Goldeneyes.

More than one Virginia Rail may have been present. Mort and Carolyn saw their rail on a different side of the park than I saw mine. I was standing near reeds and open water trying to pish up a Swamp Sparrow (let me dream!) and alternating my odd noises with a poor replica of a grating Virginia Rail's call. Seriously, I sounded more like an oinking pig. But it worked anyway. The bird swam down the edge of the channel toward me and then across the open water about 20 feet away. It disappeared into the reeds then, presumably realizing it had been duped by a pig. 

Willard Bay State Park is located at I-15 exit 357. Dale Young Nature Park is located about a half mile west of US-89 on 2250S. in Perry. The easiest way to get there is to take I-15 to exit 362, Brigham City, and drive 2 miles east to Main Street. Turn south on Main (US-89) and start watching for 2250S. after passing the Maddox Ranch House.

Kris
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