[Birdtalk] THAYER'S GULL, Hooded Merganser, 25, 000 Eared Grebes SL County

[Tim Avery]

This morning (11/16), Colby Neuman, Carl Ingwell and I birded around most of
the bodies of water in the northern part of Salt Lake County.  Highlights
were as follows.

In the vicinity of Lee's Creek we observed 2 Tundra Swan, 3 Great Blue Heron
and a smattering of other waterfowl.

At Saltair the water on the Great Salt Lake was dead calm.  2,500~ Gulls
were scattered along the beach to both the east and the west of the marina.
On the water there were a few small flocks (100~ birds) of Eared Grebes.
Several miles to the west an ENORMOUS band of an estimated 25,000~ Eared
Grebes stretched north to south, blacking out portions of the water. A lone
American Avocet was between the marina and Saltair pavilion along the shore.

Along 7200 West we noted a single Rough-legged Hawk.

At Lee Kay Ponds were 1000's of California Gulls, a number of Ring-billed
Gulls, several Herring Gulls, and Colby spotted a lone 1st winter THAYER'S
GULL as it flew past the car.  Carl picked out a female HOODED MERGANSER,
only the 2nd I have seen at this location.  Both of these birds were on the
west pond.  Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck and
a few Redheads were also present.

We made  a quick loop through the Lake Park facility which hosted a large
flock of Canada Geese with 5 neck banded individuals.  With the warm weather
people were getting in a few holes of golf, preventing us form wandering out
to the main pond to look around.

At Decker Lake there were 4 Common Merganser and 100's of California Gulls.
Lots of geese here as well, and while we were walking the shore about 150~
more came in and landed from the north.

We made a quick stop along the Jordan River  at 2300 South, where there were
no Barrow's Goldeneye yet.  2 Common Goldeneye flew over.

Finally we traveled up Parley's Canyon to Mountain Dell and Little Dell
Reservoirs.  In the north east arm of Mountain Dell the fall flock of
Ring-necked Ducks continued, numbering somewhere in the 400-500~ bird
range.  American Wigeon, Mallard, Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead were also
present.  Little Dell was calm as I have seen in, and absent of waterfowl,
while numerous American Coots were hanging around the inlet.

It was a very nice late fall day to get in a  little birding.

Good Birding

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