[Birdtalk] Hooded Mergansers and Owls

[Steve Coleman]

I went over to Kaysville Ponds on Wednesday and there were at least four pair of Hooded Mergansers in the north pond which is the only pond with open water. There were also Common Goldeneye, a few Ring-necked ducks, Mallards, Pintails. Kaysville Pond is located on the frontage road between Farmington and Kaysville at USU Botanical Gardens.

The same day I went over to Farmington Bay and it was Owl World. A dozen Short-eared Owls working the fields and two Barn Owls. In addition to owls there were plenty of American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, two Rough-legged hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and at least 4 Bald Eagles. I saw 2 Greater Yellowlegs and 2 Great Blue Herons and the usual ducks, Eared and Pied-billed Grebes and Coots. As far as passerines there were American Goldfinches, Song Sparrows and Red-wing Blackbirds. Probably a lot more species but I finally got the camera outfit that I have been saving for, for many years and was concentrating on practicing using it and taking pictures of the owls and hawks, which I took 200 plus pictures so I probably missed some other birds. 

I can see this photography thing becoming an addiction and already thinking of getting bigger and better lenses. 

Happy birding 
Steve
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