[Birdtalk] Battle Creek Canyon, Lower Provo River Parkway

[Eric Huish]

I birded Battle Creek Canyon this morning (at the East end of 200 S in 
Pleasant Grove, Utah Co.). Saw the most Plumbeous Vireos I have ever seen in 
one spot. At one point I did a Screech-Owl imitation and once one vireo 
stated scolding I soon had about two dozen Plumbeous Vireos right in front 
of me.  I was able to pick out two Cassin's Vireos and a couple Warbling 
Vireos.  Other birds that came in were - Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, Spotted 
Towhees, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Black-throated-Grey 
Warbler, Downy Woodpecker and of course no mob is complete without a few 
Black-capped Chickadees.  Other birds of interest in Battle Creek Canyon 
this morning - Canyon Wren, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Calliope Hummingbirds.  
This week I only saw one warbler, but last Sunday I had Yellow, Wilson's, 
Virginias, Nashville and MacGillivray's along the trail up the canyon.  I 
also saw a flock of Bushtits last week.

I've been birding the Lower Provo River Parkway regularly for the past few 
months (the area between the oxbow and the Provo Center Street Bridge).  
There are a few pairs of Gray Catbirds in the area and I hear the 
White-breasted nuthatch now-and-then. Just two weeks ago I started seeing 
warblers other than Yellow.  First came the MacGillivray's, next Virginia's, 
then Wilson's and on Friday (08/24) I saw 5 species in one tree (Yellow, 
Townsend's, Wilson's, Nashville, and MacGillivray's).  While I was watching 
these birds there was also a skunk rooting around in the weeds just 7 or 8 
feet in front of me.  I tried keeping an eye on the skunk and watching the 
birds at the same time but finally decided to back up and watch the birds 
from a little further away.  A couple minutes later I had a Townsend's 
Warbler in my view when I heard some rustling at my feet.  The skunk had 
snuck up and was right under me.  It was a very nice skunk.  Just watch 
where you step.


Eric Huish
Pleasant Grove UT
poorwill_ at hotmail.com
801-360-8777

_________________________________________________________________
Now you can see trouble…before he arrives 
http://newlivehotmail.com/?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_viral_protection_0507