[Birdtalk] Lark Buntings... not in SLC...

[Tim Avery]

With the recent reports of Lark Buntings around northern Utah, Colby Neuman and I decided to wander around the west bench of Salt Lake Valley to see if we could scare up one of these gems for the county.  We made a quick stop at Lee Kay Ponds on the way out west where there was a beautiful male GREATER SCAUP as well as 13 awfully late COMMON GOLDENEYE.  All the other regulars were about, as well as a couple stilts, avocets, and a lone SPOTTED SANDPIPER.  Forster's Tern numbers are down form earlier this week when there were 35-40 present on Monday.  The next two weeks are high time for Least Tern and Lee Kay has had a few over the years, so it may be worth a stop here and there.

Next we headed to 8400 West and the "Bacchus Highway" going south down the westside of the valley.  We mad ea number of quick stops checking fields, and fence posts, in between scattered showers.  Before we knew it we were pretty far south and decided to head out to Copperton and check out the city park.  Although there weren't a lot of birds, there were some nice ones hanging around.  There were 4-5 CASSIN'S FINCH in the tree tops, including a singing male.  We saw one female type bird gathering nesting material which seemed a little out of place!  Also in the park were 10-20 PINE SISKIN which could be heard constantly.  Migrants included 2 female WESTERN TANAGER, a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and 1 or 2 WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE.  There were also at least 5-6 BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS around the park.

Heading back to the east we stopped at the little cemetery on the south side of the road just outside of Copperton.  2 LARK SPARROW, 1 HAMMOND'S-type FLYCATCHER, and a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD were present as well as numerous meadowlarks. 

We started back to the north checking out a few more side roads, and picking up HORNED LARK, as well as SWAINSON'S HAWK.  ON one side road we stopped to shcek out a BREWER'S SPARROW, then Colby heard what sounde dlike a Grasshopper Sparrow.  I was pretty sure it was the Brewer's but we stopped and listened for a bit with no luck on GRSP.  However, several more Brewer's could be heard as well as a couple Kingbirds.  We meandered down a back road checking more fields and fences, before ending up near  Usana.  

Unfortunately, no Lark Bunting, although we did have LARK Sparrow, Horned LARK, and Western MeadowLARK... Ugh. Oh well.

We decided to run to the International Center, but first decided to go on an expedition to check out a patch of trees I had seen on Google Maps that I thought might be worth checking out.  I missed the correct turn and ended up finding a hedge that will be worth checking this fall.  It was well over 100 yards long, and along a ditch near the RC Willey Warehouse.  This hedge led to a dirt road on the north side of that building (just south of I-80 at 5600 West), that ran along a canal on one side and a row of Russian Olive, and Cattails on the other.  Hopefully, this will be productive in the fall as well.  Today there were several BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, Song Sparrow, 1 CHIPPING SPARROW, and 6 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER who were all feeding out in Rabbit Brush to the north of the road... 

After a short drive a little ways to the south we found the road that led to the patch of trees south of the RC Willey Center, and a little to the east (they can be seen from 5600 West). The patch is fenced in and owned by Utah Power and Light, but by all standards, it fits the description of migrant trap to a tee!  Today there were at least 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHER, several WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, and YELLOW WARBLER present.  A few CALIFORNIA QUAIL were also in the area.  Again this may be hot in the fall and worth a look when out and about.  Unfortunately, the main row of trees runs into the property away form the fence, where the habitat looks the best! 

We finally ended up at a rather quiet IC.  We checked most of the usual locations, and bird life was scarce.  We finally turned up a couple YELLOW WARBLER, a lone WILLOW FLYCATCHER, a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, 3-4 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and an EASTERN KINGBIRD up by the canal on the north side.  It will be nice when fal rolls around out here again!

As we were leaving I spotted a Western Kingbird perched in "perfect" lighting.  I decided to swing back and take a few pictures.  The more than cooperative bird provided an incredible opportunity for pictures... which I will probably post tomorrow after I get around to editing them!

Good Birding

Tim
Salt Lake City, Utah
tanager at timaverybirding.com
http://www.timaverybirding.com
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