[Birdtalk] More Skipper Bay-Osprey, Ross's Geese

[mjw22 at comcast.net]

Hello,
     We'd been to the area before (Aiprort Dike, State Park), but never to the Skipper Bay Trail proper...until today.  Thanks to those who have posted previous sigtings from that area.  It's certainly a neat place.  
    Shortly after arriving, at one of the first clear views of the lake, I saw two white birds.  Through the binoculars, I suspected snow geese but the scope told a different story.  The clean white, round heads and small bill complete with bluish coloration at the base and no noticable grin patch.  I hadn't seen this species in a while but these two ROSS'S GEESE gave me a minute of looks before taking off and heading south toward the state park.  
    We also saw swallows...most likely tree, headed north.  There were ducks in the ponds off to the east near the end of the trail: Shovelers, GW and Cinnamon Teal, Wigeon, Pintail and Mallards.  The strange, large white-marked Canada Goose was there as well with other more normal ones.  Two Tundra Swans were present at the very far end of the trail (off to the east).
    Other highlights were 2 Turkey Vultures soaring off to the east.  A single Osprey appeared to be building nests on each of the two platforms.  She? made several sorties to the ground for sticks and placed them on both platforms.  We watched long enough to confirm that she was not simply stealing materials from the larger nest.  Meadowlarks were singing and there were several Clark's Grebes out on the water.     
    As for At two locations on the trail, just off to the side were tangles of 4-5 Garter Snakes.  

A nice day to be out,
Matt Williams
Provo, UT