[Birdtalk] Uinta Basin Birding

[Kathleen Robins]

Last week we decided to bird for a couple of days in the Uinta Basin.  We followed several leads from the Eastern Utah Birding Trails, 'Places to Bird' from utahbirds.org, a recent trip report from Lu Giddings on utahbirds.org, and a report from Diane Penttila on the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, also on utahbirds.org.  

 

The weather was beautiful, cool in the mornings and pleasant by mid afternoon.  We surprised ourselves by listing 52 species for the trip. While most were common and expected, several were of special note.  

 

Our first stop was Strawberry Reservoir where we soon discovered the loons had arrived.  They were scattered around the reservoir at several stops.  Among the Common Loons that we had for comparison (size, neck pattern, head shape) was a tightly knit group of 3 Pacific Loons.  

 

We then proceeded to stops at Soldier Creek Reservoir, the Strawberry River where it enters the Starvation Reservoir, Starvation Reservoir itself, and the Duchesne City sewage lagoons.  We sighted more Common Loons and a lot of waterfowl but nothing unexpected.   

 

Our next stop was Lake Boreham (Midview Reservoir) just west of Myton.  We were treated to a spectacular view of a pair of American Bald Eagles sharing a meal on the shoreline.  We dropped by Mallard Springs, also near Myton, where we found neither Mallard nor springs.  

 

Our first visit to Ouray National Wildlife Refuge was nothing short of sensational.  Our timing was perfect (10 a.m.) for observing at least 200 Sandhill Cranes and hundreds of Canada Geese.  At one point we were treated to an aerial display 300 yards directly over-head of about 25 American White Pelicans in perfect formation mingling with about 50 Sandhill Cranes out of perfect formation, all riding the thermals in circular motion against an incredibly blue sky. Among the wide variety of waterfowl we also saw 5 Tundra Swans.  The Leota Bottom overlook provided a panoramic view of this jewel in the National Wildlife Refuge system.  

 

We are planning to revisit the area for the upcoming spring migration.

 

Kathleen & Hal Robins
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