[Birdtalk] Today's (Satuday) Birding

[STEPHEN T CARLILE]

I went today to try to get a look at the Red-shouldered Hawk at Farmington Bay.  I got skunked, which is normal for me and rarities, though I was almost tricked by a funky looking Red-tailed that was in the Russian Olives by the road construction.  (I have to be careful not to talk myself into seeing things.)  However, did see some good birds, with some new year birds, and visited some new places.  It seemed to be the day of the Common Goldeneye, Canvasback and Ringed-necked Duck.  They were everywhere and in big numbers.  Visited four places, with 37 total species seen.  The details:

Farmington Bay - 27 species:  Pied-billed Grebe (4), Canada Goose, Tundra Sawn (50+), Canvasback (50+), Common Golden (9), Redhead, Ring-necked Duck (2), Northern Pintail (100+), Mallard, Cinnamon Teal (2),  Green-winged Teal (7), Great Blue Heron (1), American Coot, Bald Eagle (100+), Red-tailed Hawk (4), Rough-legged Hawk (3), Northern Harrier (6+), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), American Kestrel (6+), Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Ring-necked Pheasant (1), Belted Kingfisher (1), Red-winged Blackbird (100+, some males setting up territories), Common Raven (7), Black-billed Magpie (5), and America Crow (25+ in Farmington City).

Kaysville Ponds (Kaysville, Davis County, this was my first visit to Kaysville Ponds, only the north pond had open water) - 18 species, not counting the Black Swan:  Pied-billed Grebe (1), Double-crested Cormorant (1), American Coot (5), Canada Goose (7), Hooded Merganser (9, with 3 displaying males), Canvasback (24+), Common Goldeneye (7), Ring-necked Duck (24+), American Widgeon (3), Mallard (24+), Gadwall (2), California Gull (9), Ring-billed Gull (3), Song Sparrow (4), Red-winged Blackbird (3), American Crow (12+, flying overhead), House Finch (2), and American Goldfinch (12+)

Wetland Observation Area (Salt Lake City, 1365 West 2300 North, 2300 North best accessed via Redwood Road) - 7 species, saw this on a map last week and decided to check it out.  This is a 10 acre (I'm guessing here) wetland created from Salt Lake City Water Treatment Plant outflow.  The gates were locked (Saturday), but from a parking area long the road I could see one pond and a canal.  The pond was loaded with Ring-necked Duck (75+) and Northern Shoveler (100+).  Also saw Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, and American Coot on the pond and a Common Goldeneye in the canal.  I assume it is open during the week.  Though it doesn't look large, it might be worth checking out during the week.

Lee Kay Ponds (Salt lake County) - 15 species:  Canada Goose (12+), Canvasback (24+), Common Goldeneye (25), Ring-necked Duck (18), Bufflehead (3), Lesser Scaup (5), Redhead (3), Mallard, Green-winged Teal (3), California Gull (2,000), Ring-billed Gull (300), Brewer's Blackbird (24+), European Starling, Common Raven (3), and Black-billed Magpie (2).

Also seeing more activity (flight/vocalization) with the Peregrine Falcon pair at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City.  See the pair most days, with a single bird on the other days.

Thanks,

Stephen
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