[Birdtalk] Millcreek Canyon, etc.

[Matthew J. Williams]

Hello all,
    It's been a while since I've posted but the migration upon us is 
inspiring me to do so.

First off, on Friday, my wife and I drove by a bird on a wire that caught 
our attention.  We both thought Mockingbird at first but I wasn't 
convinced...so, of course, we turned around.  On the wires to the north 
of  Fort Union Blvd, just west of the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, we 
observed and photographed an EASTERN KINGBIRD.  This notoriously early 
migrant was always a tough one to get on a Mid-September Big Day that I 
used to do in New York State (the Montezuma Muckrace).  I'll sheepishly 
admit that it was a Utah first despite the fact that I gather they're not 
too difficult to "get".

Yesterday, My wife and I and our son (in a backpack kid carrier) hiked up 
Little Water Trail at the end of Millcreek Canyon.  The biggest highlight 
was a MOOSE on the aspen-covered slopes to the north of the trail, just 
before it starts to get steep.  A close second was a fledged (and begging) 
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.  Other birds included a few JUNCOS, a MACGILLIVRAY'S 
pair, several flyover RED CROSSBILLS, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES,  G-C KINGLETS.

Good Birding,
Matt Williams
Midvale, UT