[Birdtalk] Lake Watch/South Shore

[Tim Avery]

Taking a quick peak at the radar this afternoon I decided to make a run out to
Saltair/South Shore Marina and conduct a brief lake watch as soon as I could
get away from work.  Nothing spectacular but it was interesting to see the
movement of birds along the south shore in the wind, in comparison to days
where you can stand for hours and only see a couple California Gulls flyby.

In any event here are the details:

Time: 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Weather: W/NW winds gusting to 35mph, snow and rain on and off (COLD)

295~ Eared Grebe
6 HORNED GREBE
18 WESTERN GREBE
40 Mallard
57 Green-winged Teal
5 Bay Duck Species (likely Redhead - too far out to make out)
4 Small Duck Species (probably more Teal)
36 California Gull (steady east to west movement)
1 Northern Harrier
2 American Pipit
1 Black-billed Magpie

The grebe situation was interesting.  I orginally saw 3 Horned Grebes from
inside my vehicle, but after getting out I could see 6 birds just off the north
breakwall.  Likely a migrating group.  The 18 Western Grebe's consisted of two
flocks.  One group of 11 and another of 7.  This is the first time I can recall
seeing Western Grebe actually on the Great Salt Lake.  Most of the birds had
there heads tucked and were staying near the two buoys directly north of the
observation point at the marina.

All in all not a bad hour and a half.  Although lake watching is rarely if never
reported from this location, it is a great spot for rarities to pop up during
and after fall storms.

Good Birding

Tim
Indianapolis, IN and Salt Lake City, UT
http://www.timaverybirding.com
http://www.birdtography.com