[Birdtalk] Low elevation sightings of Mountain Birds

[Rick Fridell]

Hello all,
Since we're on the topic of high elevation montane species being seen at
atypical locations, I  have another one to add.  Last week I saw a single
Clark's Nutcracker flying along highway 59 in pinyon/ juniper habitat in
Iron County near the old Iron City ruins, and another at the Terry Ranch
west of Enterprise (Washington County).  And definitely most surprising of
all, today Kevin Wheeler told me he saw one last week while working along
the Virgin River just upstream of the Washington Fields (Washington County).
What is was doing there in the tamarisks and Russian olives and 100+ degree
heat, I have no idea.
I'd be curious to hear if others are seeing nutcrackers in odd locations up
north, or if it is a southern Utah phenomena?

Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT

PS keep your Red-breasted Nuthatch sightings coming (and thanks to all those
who have sent me their sightings!).
  -----Original Message-----
  From: birdtalk-bounces at utahbirds.org
[mailto:birdtalk-bounces at utahbirds.org]On Behalf Of Kristin Purdy
  Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 8:39 PM
  To: Bird Talk
  Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Townsend's Solitaire


  Jim,

  Your witnessing so many Townsend's Solitaires may be another sign of a
significant downslope movement of montane species that Rick Fridell is
monitoring through the Red-breasted Nuthatch movements. I think your
sighting of so many at once is exceptional.

  Townsend's Solitaires may withdraw from northern limits of their range in
a traditional migration, they may move to a lower elevation, or they may
stay at the same place year round. I'd like to think ours fall into the last
two categories. I've seen many Townsend's Solitaires along the Wasatch Front
in some years, just as we see many Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers,
Golden-crowned Kinglets and mountain finch species. That wasn't true of last
winter, however, when we didn't see many mountain birds along the Wasatch
Front. Wasatch Audubon barely eked out two Townsend's Solitaire sightings on
our Ogden Christmas Count. In other years, we've seen many, especially in
cemeteries and neighborhoods where juniper and other fruit trees are
located. That's where the fun is and we can watch how territorial Townsend's
Solitaires can be in defending fruit crops.

  I hope your sighting means a good year for lower elevation Townsend's
Solitaires. Perhaps we'll all enjoy a winter sighting as entertaining as
these documented by Charles Lockerbie in The Condor in 1939:

  "Townsend Solitaires Declare Ownership.--On January 10, 1937, I saw a
Townsend Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) rout a flock of about twenty-five
Bohemian Waxwings (Bombycilla garrula) from his haw thicket in City Creek
Canyon, Salt Lake City, Utah. While on my way up the canyon, I had noted the
solitaire. Just as I returned, the waxwings arrived. The solitaire dashed
from one to another, moving them from place to place. They finally bunched
on the top of an adjacent oak clump and raised their heads and trilled. But,
this did not dismay him. He charged at the flock and put them to flight down
the canyon.

  On January 9, 1938, I again found the waxwings near the same place, but in
this instance they were sunning themselves in tall cottonwoods along the
creek and frequently descended to drink. While watching them, three of the
birds flew to a nearby haw thicket. Almost instantly a solitaire came flying
down the hill, but, seeing me, lit some fifty feet from where the waxwings
were feeding and in no position to see them. I expected the solitaire to
chase them out again, but either from fear of me or because he could not see
the feeding waxwings, he came no closer.

  On February 6, 1939, I noticed another instance of ownership in a downtown
district where a solitaire scolded a flock of fifteen Bohemian Waxwings that
had come to his pyracantha bushes. A janitor came to his service by throwing
a snowball at the flock in an effort to save the berries. However, the next
time I passed, the bushes were bare."  --C. W. Lockerbie, Salt Lack City,
Utah, April 15, 1939.

  Kris
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Jim & Beanie
    To: Bird Talk
    Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 6:17 PM
    Subject: [Birdtalk] Townsend's Solitaire


    Yesterday, september 15,  I spent some time in Blacksmith Fork Canyon.
(Cache County)

    I noticed that there were many (+/- 20) Townsend's Solitaires flitting
about.

    Today I took a drive to Porcupine Dam, and just below the dam there was
several Townsend's Solitaires.

    I don't remember seeing so many of this species  together, ever.
Usually they are "Solitaire".

    I don't know if they are grouping up to migrate, or to go foraging.
What can you tell me about their habits.?

    Jim

    http://donce.lofthouse.com/jamaica/nature/default.htm


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