[Birdtalk] Antelope Island and Bear River Refuge

[STEPHEN T CARLILE]

Went to Antelope island and Bear River today, Monday.  The Causeway had lot of Black-bellied Plovers (100+), Western Sandpipers (1000+), with good numbers of Sanderlings (many in breeding plumage), and a smattering of Semipalmated Sandpipers 12?) in the mix.  (These guys drive me nuts with their constant movement and look-a-likes).  Also saw at least 6 Pectoral Sandpipers.  With yesterday's winds and last night's storm the birds at Garr Ranch were not as numerous as in previous reports with some noted species not seen today, but still a good variety.  The Northern Waterthrush (2 very cooperative birds) were still there at the end of the spring flow.  Two Wilson's Warblers and a surprise (at least for me) Swainson's Thrush.  Another nice surprise a couple miles north of Garr Ranch is that I was able to watch the birth of twin Pronghorn Antelope.  When I left mother and the fawns appeared to be doing fine.  The fawns we up and walking within 10 minutes.

Some late season oddities at Bear River: 3 Tundra Swan, 1 Bonaparte's Gull still in winter plumage (both on the west side of the tour loop), and (I am going out on a limb here) a second or third year Glaucous Gull.  I am basing this identification on my notes and later comparing them with descriptions in the Gulls of North America (pages 187 -  203; plate 27 on page 188), a large gull with pinkish legs, dark subterminal bar present, and an overall mottled light tan on the wings, back, with a little on the breast.  The folded primary "tips" were very light, with a little tan color. Viewed the bird in good light and within 50 feet.  The bird was seen in the water on the west side of the road as the tour loop turns the "southeast corner" from east to going south.  Anyway, it was a "big" gull.

A total of 85 species seen.

Here is the list.

Antelope Island and Garr Ranch (55 species)

Canada Goose, Chukar, Eared Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-created Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Kestrel, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, American Avocet, Willet, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Red Phalarope (3), Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Forester's Tern (1 picking "bugs" off the water), Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl (the last two times I have been at Garr Ranch there has only been one owl), Burrowing Owl, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Black-billed Magpie, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush (1) Hermit Thrush (2), American Robin, Sage Thrasher (4), European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Waterthrush (2), Wilson's Warbler (2), Green-tailed Towhee (2), Brewer's Sparrow (6+), Vesper Sparrow (2), Lark Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow (3), White-crowned Sparrow (6+), Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

Bear River (57 species)

Canada Goose, Tundra Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon (1 walking down the middle of the road), Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Lesser Scuap, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Clerk's Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret (3), Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, White-faced Ibis, Osprey (nesting platform along the freeway at Willard Bay), Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Willet, Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Phalarope, Franklin's Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Glaucous Gull, Forester's Tern, Mourning Dove, Western Kingbird, Eastern Kingbird (4), Black-billed Magpie, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, and Brown-headed Cowbird.

Thanks,

Stephen
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