[Birdnet] another wild goose chase

[Carol Gwynn]

It sounds like a lot of us had the same idea this weekend. Friday I 
went after the Greater White-fronted Goose with no luck. Yesterday, I 
went looking for Snow Geese in northern Utah, but found hunters 
everywhere I went - and no geese. Salt Creek WMA had lots of Tundra 
Swans, most of them sitting on the ice. There wasn't  a lot of open 
water. I hiked down to both photo blinds just for kicks to try and get 
out of the ferocious wind. I have never been to Salt Creek without 
being in (seemingly) gale-force winds (slight exaggeration, but not 
much of one). Besides the swans, there were American Wigeon and 
Green-winged Teal, along with a number of Sandhill Cranes. Two Bald 
Eagles were also present - one enjoying breakfast on the ice.

The next stop was the first part of the access road to Bear River, 
which had more swans at the first bend. I didn't go all the way out to 
the refuge. Brian said the road was great, but I guess I didn't go far 
enough. The road was the usual pothole-covered steering practice run 
where I was. Several dozen Tundra Swans were still at the Forest Street 
overpass of I-15 as reported previously by Betsy Beneke. There was also 
a confirmed sighting of Betsy hard at work in the visitors center. 
Willard Bay was nearly birdless, except for a few coots and mallards, 
and Glover Ponds likewise had little of interest - Canadas and coots.

Carol G.