[Birdnet] Wayne & Garfield Counties & UCB Contest

[Alton Thygerson]

FYI for Birders,

My wife and I spent three days birding in Wayne County (Capitol Reef
National Park, Bicknell Bottoms, towns of Teasdale and Torrey, and the lower
part of Boulder Mountain highway) and Garfield County (from Boulder Mountain
to Panguitch Lake).

We saw 69 species in Wayne County with surprise sightings of a CHUKAR at the
western mouth of Grand Wash Canyon--usually they are in the campground and
orchard areas and a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER deep in the Grand Wash
Canyon itself. In the town of Teasdale near the LDS chapel, we saw a flock
of PINYON JAYS.  

In Garfield County, we saw 73 species.  The surprise bird was a GREAT EGRET
at Tropic Reservoir.

It will take a real effort for those working toward the Utah County Birders
Bronze Medal of 64 birds in eight counties.  I personally believe this
year's (2008) Bronze Medal category is more difficult than any of the past
Gold Medal criteria dating back to 1996.

An example of how difficult the Gold Medal is occurred on this trip. I only
found eight or more species of waterfowl in one of the two counties visited,
and did not find enough of the other species in other families to count
toward fulfilling the Gold Medal category.

Moreover, getting the necessary 64 birds in many counties will be expensive.
For example, I drove 723 miles at $4.00 per gallon and my car gets about 23
miles per gallon costing about $125 for gasoline during this trip, plus
three nights for a motel room (at the high summer peak prices).  I am also
concerned about drowsy driving birders who drive without adequate sleep.

Good birding to all,
Alton Thygerson