[Birdtalk] Benson Birds

[Stephen Peterson]

I also took a study break last night and birded around the Benson area.
Found the 50 plus covey of California Quail in a field just south of the baseball field,
near the LDS church building. Saw a pair of Long-billed Curlews near Benson Marina,
which also hosted American White Pelicans, Common Loon, Red-breasted Merganser,
Mallard, Western and Clark's Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose, Sandhill Crane,
Green-winged Teal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow, American Robin, Song Sparrow,
Marsh Wren, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron and a single Osprey (first of the year for me)
perched on the nesting stand just south of the marina.
Earlier Tuesday, I was out with Kim Sullivan's Ornithology class and we saw about the same thing,
but also picked up a large gathering of raucous Yellow-headed Blackbirds, numerous American Wigeon,
Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, etc., etc.
There were large flocks of Northern Pintail in most of the wet fields that I searched last night.
Red-breasted Merganser are quite numerous right now.
I also saw my first of the year, Savannah Sparrow, along Hyde Park Lane.
Nothing unusual (which seems to be the case whenever I go birding), but spring has definitely arrived.
Still looking for my first White-faced Ibis to show up.

Stephen
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