[Birdtalk] Winter Wren, Crossbills, Screech-owls

[Kristin Purdy]

A WINTER WREN was at Box Elder Campground, Mantua, Box Elder County, this 
morning. The bird was using the narrow stream along the west side of Group 
Unit A, especially the northwest edge of the area. I also saw the bird along 
the stream at campsite #24. He or she was relatively vocal, so learn the 
chip call before you go and you'll improve your chances of seeing it. I saw 
two members of the taxonomic grouping Oxymoron sp., a pair of Townsend's 
Solitaires (the other birds in this taxonomic group are, of course, multiple 
Solitary Sandpipers). Other species in the campground were Red-naped 
Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet, Mountain Chickadees and not much else.

All the camping loops are closed for the season now, so park at the Group 
Unit parking lots and walk through the campground as you wish.

Mort Somer tipped me off to Red Crossbills at the Brigham City Cemetery at 
the corner of 300S. and 300E. in Brigham; I found about 20 there and watched 
them for a long time. Best watching was in a pair of spruce trees at the 
northeast corner of the cemetery. The birds also favored a cedar tree in the 
front yard at 515E. 300S.; this was something of a money tree due to the 
number of species I saw using it: the crossbills, Red-breasted Nuthatches, 
Brown Creeper, House Finches, Dark-eyed Juncos and a CASSIN'S VIREO--when 
will this species' migration be over?

The sprinklers at the house next door at 525E. 300S. were on; the Red 
Crossbills landed on the ground in the fallen leaves, drank water off the 
leaves and fluttered half-heartedly as if trying to bathe. The birds also 
drank water along the curb by turning their bills sideways to get a sip.

Other birds in the cemetery included loads of American Crows, Steller's and 
Western Scrub-jays, another Oxymoron, and all the small mountain birds that 
like cemeteries.

Funniest sight in Box Elder County today was a male Hairy Woodpecker trying 
to land on the metal steeple of the Mantua LDS church. That steeple must 
have been covered with Teflon, because the woodpecker wouldn't stick. He 
finally found purchase on a power pole along the nearby Fish Hatchery Road. 
The two HORNED GREBES are still at Mantua Reservoir and were visible from 
the boat ramp.

Yesterday, I saw two Western Screech-owls at Beus Park in Ogden, Weber 
County. One was at a well-known cavity roost; the other was at a spot I've 
just discovered after whitewash below the site has vexed me for three weeks. 
The bird was nearly invisible, but HA! Bird poop told the story. Reply for 
directions.

Kris