[Birdtalk] Sandhill Cranes & Wild Turkeys

[Steve Coleman]

Last evening on the way home from work I spotted 14 Sandhill Cranes in a bull pasture on 2200 west between 2600 North and Center Street North Salt Lake. They came as close as 20 yards from the road. I see cranes there quite often but usually only 5 or 6, last night I counted 14 and they were very active and vocal. They were hanging around some feeding troughs in the pasture on the west side of 2200 west. Across the street in a large field I saw a hen turkey and a few seconds later there came a tom in hot pursuit. The hen disappeared but I followed the tom who came down and walked along the road and got some good pictures of him. I have also seen turkeys in that area a few times. 

There are also a pair of Bald Eagles nesting just north of that area. Just before 2200 west bends east and turns into Center Street there is a road that heads west down to the Rudy Duck club if you put up a scope and look out into the pastures to the North about a mile, there is a large pole with a dish on top, that is the Bald Eagle nest. I checked it out a few days ago and one eagle was sitting on the nest while the other was preening in a tree nest to it.

To get to 2200 West take the 2600 North exit off I 215 and go west to 2200 west and turn right on 2200 West and go about a mile and watch for the feed troughs. There are a lot of Canada geese that hang out there as well.

Other birds are Yellow-headed Blackbirds Red-winged blackbirds assorted ducks and my brother In-law saw a Caspian tern there this morning. I haven't seen any yet this year but I also often see Bullocks Orioles in the Russian Olives and Cottonwoods down there.

Happy birding 
Steve
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