[Birdtalk] Antelope Island Spectacle!

[Glenda Cotter]

I played hooky for a couple of hours this morning to run up to Antelope
Island (on accounta I'm working part of the weekend) to see what scoters
could be found. I can only say that what I saw was a real spectacle.
Tens of thousands of Northern Shovelers. I have never seem them in such
numbers. Thousands of American Avocets, not so surprising in terms of
numbers, but surprising to see so many pale ghost birds at this season.
Thousands of Eared Grebes, also not unusual, but so active and so close
to the causeway that in places they looked like fish spawning in the
rocks. It was truly amazing, a marvel, to see so many birds. Awe
inspiring and humbling.

As for the unusual species reported earlier by Tim Avery and others, in
one binocular view I saw a Surf Scoter, a White-winged Scoter, and a
Long-tailed Duck. There was a second Surf Scoter nearby.  They were very
close to the north side of the bridge, so that I (and Jason, another
birder I met on the causeway) got very good looks. No Bonaparte's Gulls
were seen, but I was only there for about an hour (approx 8:30-9:30 am).
Also saw the previously reported Sabine's Gull at about mile 6.5, along
with about three dozen killdeer, in a puddle on the south side of the
causeway, but it was not there when I returned. Many Ring-billed and a
few California Gulls. American Pipits here and there along the causeway,
and other ducks, but above are the highlights. A fabulous hour spent in
the company of birds.

Glenda Cotter