[Birdtalk] A New Trail

[Kristin Purdy]

The Ogden Trails Network frequently recognizes National Trails Day on June 3 every year by dedicating a new trail. This year it's the Steward/Birdsong Trail with trailheads at Rainbow Gardens at the mouth of Ogden Canyon and at the intersection of 20th and Fillmore Ave in Ogden. The trail winds from the southwest corner of the Rainbow Gardens parking lot through a riparian area, up on the bench and through very old scrub oak and to the second trailhead. Breathtaking views of the rugged mountains at the mouth of the canyon and of the El Monte Golf Course remind you of how beautiful western vistas can be. Along with the Rainbow Trail that also begins at Rainbow Gardens and links to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, these three trails offer really great birding, especially right now. 

I've birded the trails last May and twice recently and continue to be impressed. Below I've presented the list of all the birds I can think of that I've seen or heard there. This morning my favorites were the Virginia's Warblers singing on territory above the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. When I hiked up the slope and sat on an accomodating rock to study their song and watch for them, high, high above me in those rugged rocks, a Canyon Wren's liquid spiral spilled down the bench to my spot and pooled in my ear. Love that! That's only the second time I've heard or seen a Canyon Wren in Ogden. The Virginia's Warbler I chased was accomodating as well; the bird changed prominent perches many times and I could watch as long as I found that rock comfortable. 

The Birdsong Trail also cuts across a slide area where a pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows have a burrow. The birds perch in trees below the hiker or at eye-level. One perched in an aspen about 15 feet away from me last night. 

Best of all, perhaps to report to Deedee, were the Blue-gray Gnatcatchers on the Birdsong and Bonneville Trails. I heard and saw five or six this morning, two of which responded to tiny pishing (I've scared them away with BIG pishing in the past and learned my lesson). The two birds came to me within 4-6 feet and called their baby-like "Beee! Beeee!" as I watched. Gee. For a tiny bird, they sure can open their beaks wide. 

Another favorite sight was the Broad-tailed Hummingbird and the Lazuli Bunting perched about 2 feet away from each other and 25 feet away from me, soaking up eastern morning light. It seemed as if my binocs were filled with giant birds in the colors of emerald green, red-ruby, deep Caribbean blue, and warm soft rust all against the backdrop of spring green.  

The Yellow-breasted Chat on the Birdsong Trail became my least favorite bird today because I simply could not get that bird to come up out of the willow scrub. But pishing did bring it in closer, so I guess I'll have to try again. 

I've also listed an Olive-sided Flycatcher below. I saw that bird on the Rainbow Trail on May 30th last year and took it as a sign the habitat of the trail system will snag a migrant passing through. The area is not the kind of place to find an Olive-sided Flycatcher for very long. 

It's possible to walk a loop on these trails by walking the Rainbow Trail that links to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Then leave the trail system at the 22nd Street Trailhead, walk a couple blocks through neighborhoods to the south Birdsong Trailhead at 20th and Fillmore (1600E), and return to Rainbow Gardens via the Birdsong Trail. Of course, once you're on the BST you've got links to many other bench trails. 

Rainbow Gardens Gift Shop is located at the mouth of Ogden Canyon in Weber County. To get there, take I-15 to exit 344 (12th Street) and turn toward the mountains. Just before the mouth of the canyon, turn right onto Valley Drive and immediately left into the Rainbow Gardens parking lot. The trailheads are at the southwest corner. The Birdsong Trail isn't signed yet, but it's obviously the new trail.

Kris

Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Mourning Dove
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Western Scrub-jay
Black-billed Magpie
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
House Wren
Canyon Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Orange-crowned Warbler
Virginia's Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Western Tanager
Green-tailed Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
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