[Birdtalk] Corinne's Snow and Ross's Geese

[Connie McManus]

On my way home from work, I thought I would check out the snow geese in
corinne. I passed the  Wall-Mart Distribution center, saw the farmer's field
being trampled by 1000's of swans, but could not find any Snow Geese or
Ross's.   So I drove on and discovered Salt Creek WMA (I had no idea where
this was until today).  On the dirt road that takes you to the SCWMA, I saw
a flock of about 20+ WESTERN SCRUB  JAY flying around being little Jays, 6
or 7 WESTERN MEADOW LARK and heard others. I made it out to Salt Creek.  I
ate my supper there while watching - and listening - to the birds and
enjoyng a very beautiful spring evening.  Since I don't have a scope, I
couldn't see everything that was afloat there, but I did see more swans -
trumpeters or tundras I couldn't tell.  I'm sure there was a mix of both. I
counted 9 GREAT BLUE HERONS;  50+ NORTHERN PINTAIL DUCKS; and SCAUP
(couldn't tell if they were the lesser or the greater).

 I really enjoyed my visit to the WMA, but I was a bit dissapointed that I
hadn't seen the SnowGeese and it was geting late, so I headed north toward
Tremonton rather than backtracking to Corinne.  And I'm glad I did!  Not
long after the dirt road became a paved road, I caught sight of a large
flock of birds cirling in flight.  So I pulled over to see what they were
and what did my wondering eyes behold?? SNOW GEESE!  They were an numerous
as Paul Higgins' lovely photos showed them to be.  My breath was taken
away!  They were just gorgeous!  No other word for it.  Now, there may have
been some Ross Geesemixed in with them, but without a scope, I couldn't tell
from that distance.  It was just a wonderful sight to see and I'm glad I
took the time to find them!!

Happy Bird Day Indeed!!
Connie McManus
Nibley, Cache Valley


On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 8:56 PM, STEPHEN T CARLILE <carlilest at msn.com>
wrote:

>  I too visited Corinne today, but later in the afternoon and in the
> evening.  The geese didn't show up until about 5:30 p.m.  They were at the
> location Paul described yesterday, about 1800 North on 6800 West on the west
> of side of 6800 West.  The geese came streaming in from the south in their V
> formations by the dozens and hundreds.  Several flocks also continued on to
> the north.  After Calvin saw them this morning they must have spent the day
> somewhere at Bear River.  Goods looks, with lots of Ross's Geese mixed in
> with the snowies. Only saw one blue-phased Snow Goose.  If, like me, you are
> not familiar with the area the following additional direction detail may
> help.  The area is southwest of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, but a mile
> or two southwest.  The turn-off (left) to 6800 West is a mile plus west of
> the Wal-Mart facility on highway 83.
>
> While looking for the geese and to kill some time before their hoped for
> "evening" arrival, I drove the roads through the Corinne "fields" and saw
> 1500 - 2000 Tundra Swans, in three large "groups" (one group was making
> quite a mess of some farmer's field; another group was across the road,
> south, from the Wal-Mart facility), Canada Geese (24+), Northern Harrier
> (1), American Kestrel (3), lots of California Gulls, Ring-necked Pheasant
> (2), Red-winged Blackbird (5), and Common Raven (2).  Also took a quick side
> trip to the Salt Creek WMA and saw the following:
>
> Tundra Swan (500+)
> White Pelican (1)
> Canada Goose (24+)
> Common Merganser (7) - there were hundreds of ducks to far away to
> identify
> Common Goldeneye (3)
> Bufflehead (1)
> Canvasback (12+)
> Redhead (3)
> American Widgeon (9)
> Mallard (12)
> Gadwall (9)
> Cinnamon Teal (1)
> Green-winged Teal (7)
> Great-blue Heron (5)
> American Coot (3)
> American Avocet (5)
> California Gull (12+)
> Northern Harrier (2)
> Red-tailed Hawk (1)
> Rough-legged Hawk (2)
> Common Raven (3)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Stephen
>
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