[Birdtalk] Utah RBA, March 3, 2007

Sat Mar 3 08:09:08 MST 2007

* Utah Rare Bird Alert
* Statewide
* March 3, 2007
* UTAH0703.03

Number: 801-538-4730
E-mail: utah-rba at timaverybirding.com
Compilers: Phone - Bill Fenimore, Online - Tim Avery

- Transcript

This is the Utah Rare Bird Alert for Friday, March 3 at 8:00 a.m.

Species included in this report:

**YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Washington)
Harris's Sparrow (Washington)
**ICELAND GULL** (Davis)
**WESTERN GULL (Davis)
possible GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Davis)
Glaucous Gull (Davis, Salt Lake)
Thayer's Gull (Davis)
Ross's Goose (Millard)
BLACK SCOTER (Washington)
Horned Grebe (Washington)
CACKLING GOOSE (Millard)

To report a RARE BIRD, please send an email to utah-rba at 
timaverybirding.com.
Note, you DO NOT need to send an email if you posted to either BIRDNET
or BIRDTALK. Please include your name, phone number/email, detailed 
directions and
dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your 
last name and identify the
county of the sighting. You can also report via phone at 801-538-4730, 
please include
information listed above.

*********************ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!*********************

Monday, February 26th, a possible ICELAND GULL was reported by Kris Purdy at
Farmington Bay WMA.  The bird was described as a "classic" adult and
was hanging out just south of the main parking lot  in the large pond in 
Turpin
Unit.  The bird was about 250 yards out on the ice near the fragmites and
cattails. From the area where the canal heads north under the road the 
bird was
south-southwest (basically looking towards Kennecott).  For questions
concerning directions if it is unclear where the bird is being seen, please
email tanager AT timaverybirding.com at this time.  Currently there are no
confirmed sightings of this species in Utah.

**************************************************************

Davis County:

-- An adult ICELAND GULL was reported by Kris Purdy at Farmington Bay WMA on
February 26.  Please see above alert for details.

-- The 3rd winter WESTERN GULL has been relocated by Kris Purdy on 
February 26
at the same location as reported on the 25th by the Sommerfield's and 
Beyer's.

-- A possible Glaucous-winged Gull was reported, 2nd hand by Kris 
Purdy.  The bird
apparently seen on Wednesday February 28 by the Wasatch and Great Salt 
Lake Audubon, at Farmington Bay WMA.
Numerous individuals saw the bird, but no report was made, and there are 
no details on age or exact location at this time.

-- The 2nd winter GLAUCOUS GULL was relocated by Kris Purdy on February 
26 at
Farmington Bay WMA in the canal where the Western Gull was reported, at the
main parking area.  The bird was also seen by the Sommerfield's on the 25th.

-- A juvenile Thayer's Gull was reported by Kris Purdy on February 26 at
Farmington Bay WMA in the canal where the Western Gull was reported, at the
main parking area.

Millard County:

-- Numerous Ross's Geese were reported by Stephen Carlile at Gunnison
Bend Reservoir near Delta on February 24.  He estimated there may have
been as many as 100 birds present based off the ratio
of Ross's to Snow he was seeing.

-- Two CACKLING GEESE were reported by Stephen Carlile at the Snow Goose
Festival near Delta on February 24.  No details on the birds were posted.

Salt Lake County

-- A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was reported by Rick Fridell at Lee Kay 
ponds.  

Washington County:

-- A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported by Larry Tripp in the 
cottonwoods near the entrance gate at Lytle Ranch on March 2.
The bird appeared to be a female but was still mostly in Juvenile plumage.

-- The Harris's Sparrow that has been over wintering at Lytle Ranch was 
reported on March 2nd by Larry Tripp and is
still in the same area between the bathrooms and the water drip.

-- 2 BLACK SCOTER were reported at Sand Hollow State Park by Rick
Fridell on February 23.  A first winter male and female scoter stayed in
very close proximity to each other, diving and swimming in tandem.  The
birds were actively foraging directly south of the main parking lot, and
east of the west dam.

-- Several Horned Grebe were reported at Sand Hollow State Park Rick
Fridell on February 23.

***********************************
Upcoming Birding Events:

March 1st (Wed):  Wasatch Audubon Society Bird Walk - Ft. Buenaventura: 
Meet at 8:15 at Burger King (SE corner of 21st & Wall) for breakfast or 
meet at 9:00 outside the Fort.

March 3rd (Sat):  Utah County Birders Field Trip - Delta - Snow Goose 
Festival, Clear Lake WMA day trip; Leave Springville WalMart at 7 a.m.

March 3rd (Sat): Bridgerland Audubon Society Field Trip - Waterfowl in 
Winter: The Logan Sewer Lagoons. We will go to the best places for 
waterfowl based on the weather. Our focus will be on gulls. During the 
Christmas Bird Count we found six different types of gulls in the 
valley. Meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot between Caffé Ibis and the 
Logan Fire Station (50 E. 150 North). Dress very warmly, bring 
binoculars, and a spotting scope if you have one. Carpooling will be 
available; beginning birders are welcome. For more information call Buck 
Russell (435) 512-9641.

March 3rd (Sat): Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - SNOW GOOSE 
FESTIVAL - Leaders: Jeanne Le Ber and Ray Smith. Meet in the South-East 
corner of the Shopko Parking lot in Sugarhouse by 8:00am. We will 
carpool to the Gunnison Bend Reservoir near Delta, (about a two and a 
half hour drive). When they "co-operate" about 20,000 Snow Geese can be 
seen on the water or in adjacent fields. The town of Delta hosts an Art 
and Craft Fair with guest speakers in the Millard County Fair Building. 
Call Jeanne or Ray at (801-532-7384) if you are interested.

March 3rd (Sat): Layton Wild Bird Center Bird Walk - Tundra Swan 
Migration at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area  - Saturday Bird 
Walks leave from the Wild Bird Center (1860 N. 1000 West, Layton) at 10 
a.m, in winter, unless otherwise posted.

March 7th (Wed):  Wasatch Audubon Society Bird Walk - Ft. Buenaventura: 
Meet at 8:15 at Burger King (SE corner of 21st & Wall) for breakfast or 
meet at 9:00 outside the Fort.

March 7th Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - MOUNTAIN DELL RECREATION 
AREA, PARLEY'S CANYON - Leader: Jack Clark. Come and join us for our 
monthly bird survey. Even in winter we have been seeing some interesting 
birds. We'll meet at 8:30am in the South-East corner of the Shopko 
Parking lot in Sugarhouse for a morning of birding. Call Jack (255-7989) 
if you plan to attend.

March 9th (Fri):  Great Salt Lake Audubon Field Trip - WINTER BIRDING IN 
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON - Leader: Allene Keller. We will explore the 
Spruces Campground on snowshoes, cross-country skis or on foot, 
depending on snow conditions. Likely birds: chickadees, jays, juncos, 
nuthatches, and who knows what else. Bring snacks and water. This will 
not be a strenuous trip. Call Allene (467-3960) for meeting place. Could 
be cancelled due to weather.

March 10th (Sat):  Layton Wild Bird Center Bird Walk - Riverdale Weber 
River Parkway - Saturday Bird Walks leave from the Wild Bird Center 
(1860 N. 1000 West, Layton) at 10 a.m, in winter, unless otherwise posted.

***********************************

Abbreviations:
WMA - Wildlife Management Area
NWR - National Wildlife Refuge
GSL - Great Salt Lake.

- End Transcript

Thank you and good birding

Tim Avery
Salt Lake City