[Birdtalk] Pectorals at Howard Slough WMA

[Kristin Purdy]

I birded Howard Slough WMA in Davis County today and saw a peck of PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Well, maybe not a peck--maybe a pack. They played pickleweed peek-a-boo with me for about 45 minutes while I peeped at them and picked out 16 Pectorals. Then a Northern Harrier flushed everything and about double the number of Pectorals I thought were there flushed out of the pickleweed. 

Other good species in the marsh included about a dozen BLACK TERNS flying and dipping in a large open water unit east of the road, two Peregrine Falcons--a mated pair, I'm sure--on the hack tower on the west side of the WMA, a Short-eared Owl at the extreme southwest corner of the area defined by the road, and two Great Horned Owls in Russian Olives on the northwest leg of the road.

When I reached the hack tower I scanned mudflats to the west and saw 25 Long-billed Curlews. Winning the "What're You Doing Here?!?" award was a Cordilleran Flycatcher flycatching from the phragmites along the road. Coming in at a close second were five species of warblers. Several Virginia Rails cranked away although I didn't see one. Sparrows are all over the place and the Chipping and Brewer's tested my juvenile Spizella ID skills. All the breeding dabbler duck species were present. I was surprised when I got home to tally 55 species on the trip and that doesn't even include the usual nasty birds.  

Other creatures at the WMA today included Wylie E. Coyote and a Long-tailed Weasel.  

On the way to Howard Slough I saw what I thought was a Yellow-shafted Flicker in the 4900 block of 2300S. in Clinton. However, the flicker did not have either a malar stripe or a nape crescent. The underwings offered only the slightest hint of orange when the bird flew. Under the tail, which I studied for some time, was a solid yellow-gold. Imagine the possibilities. Another bird of interest on 2300S in Clinton was a Eurasian Collared-dove. I'm shocked I noticed this bird at all; I didn't even pay attention to Eurasian Collared-doves when I lived in Eurasia. The bird had to do a very flamboyant maneuver over my windshield for me to brake and back up to look at it. 

The state waterfowl management areas are opening in preparation for the duck season opener on October 7. Now is the time for birders to get into your favorite WMAs while waterbirds are still migrating and before the hunting activity puts everything in a tizzy. You should contact your regional DWR office for opening dates of specific areas. Both of Weber County's--Ogden Bay and Harold Crane--are open. That may not necessarily mean for motorized vehicle access. 

As a matter of general orientation, you can see Howard Slough WMA from Antelope Island Causeway when you look due north from about miles 4-6. Much of the land mass across the water is this WMA. The entrance is in Clinton on 2450S just 100 yards short of 6500W., southside. To get there, from 1900W (parallels I-15 on the west side through Clearfield, Clinton, Sunset and Roy between I-15 exits 335 and 338) turn west on 2300S at the Smith's grocery store. The road takes a couple jigs and eventually becomes 2450S. Watch for a temporary road closure for construction a couple miles out. You can divert north or south around it and get back on track in a couple blocks. 

The road into Howard Slough only takes you to the parking lot. Motor vehicle access is not permitted beyond the gates. My trek on a good dirt road through the marsh was 2 miles long according to my GPS, but it seemed like about 10 because I walked at a birder's pace. It took me 3 1/2 hours. Don't forget to use DEET before you enter the marsh. 

Kris 
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