[Birdtalk] East Canyon

[Kristin Purdy]

My chaffeur drove me to East Canyon Reservoir in Morgan County today to 
check for waterfowl. There were very few birds on the water's surface with 
most at the south end from the Taylor's Hollow area south to the inlet end. 
The water level is very low.

Five HOODED MERGANSERS included one hen that insured the drakes' 
crest-fanning most of the time I watched them. For you Hoodie-lovers, a 
scope is necessary for a good look. There were also nine BARROW'S GOLDENEYES 
in a nearly-even mix of hens and drakes.

Other water birds:
Five Common Loons, all adults transitioning to basic plumage
Western and Eared Grebes
Common Mergansers
Mallards

I tried to call Canyon Wrens out of the red rocks at several pullouts along 
in East Canyon, but got no response save for the mumbled human voice nearby, 
"Might as well call Sasquatch." The canyon did offer Spotted Towhees, 
American Robins, Song Sparrows and a Red-tailed Hawk.

We also saw about 20 Wild Turkeys in fields on the east side of SR-65 just 
north of mm 6. Most entertaining were two Porcupines in trees above the east 
inlet near the intersection of SR-65 and SR-66.

Kris