[Birdnet] Southern Utah Lakes - Loons and Scoters 11/06 -11/07

[Rick Fridell]

Hello Everyone,

This afternoon (11/07) I had the opportunity to stop by a couple seldom
birded southern Utah lakes; Koosharem Reservoir (Sevier Co.), Otter Creek
State Park (Piute Co.), and  Panguitch Lake (Garfield Co.).  Both Otter
Creek Reservoir and Panguitch Lake held many loons and good numbers and
variety of waterfowl. I saw 23 species of waterfowl between the locations.
Highlights included:

Koosharem Reservoir (Sevier Co.)

Tundra Swan 6 - family unit; 2 adults: 4 juveniles


Otter Creek State Park (Piute Co.)

Surf Scoter 11 - adult male; 10 juveniles
Black Scoter 2 - female; juvenile
Red-throated Loon - juvenile
Common Loon 20
Northern Goshawk - adult


Panguitch Lake (Garfield Co.)


Surf Scoter 4 - juveniles
White-winged Scoter 4 - adult female; 3 juveniles
Black Scoter 3 - adult male; 2 females
Common Loon 35

I managed to get some digiscoped images of the Red-throated Loon and Black
Scoters and I'll submit these and written records to the UBRC via Milt soon.


Also yesterday (11/06) near dark (~6:00p) I was passing through Lyman (Wayne
Co.) along Highway 24 and noticed many hawks in a cottonwood.  I pulled over
and was very surprised to see 10-15 Ferruginous Hawks roosting in a couple
tall cottonwoods along the main road through town. In the few minutes I was
there, a couple more Ferruginous Hawks flew in.  I had no idea they used
communal roosts (?).  I didn't have a chance to look around, but conditions
from Loa to Bicknell must be really good for raptors, as there were also
many Red-tailed Hawks and a couple of Prairie Falcons perched along Highway
24 as well.


Don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like any additional information.


Best Regards,

Rick Fridell