[Birdtalk] AI Causeway and Garr Ranch - Ruff and Varied Thrush still there

[STEPHEN T CARLILE]

Made a quick trip to Antelope Island today to see if I could get the Varied Thrush.  A lifer for me as was the Ruff last week.  Didn't get there until 2:00, so I  had to hustle.  The road to Garr Ranch was snow packed, but safe at a reasonable speed.  It was cold but beautiful.  After about 45 minutes at Garr Ranch found the Varied Thrush on the southern edge of the "woodlot".  I found the Varied Thrush by first seeing a "surprise" Hermit Thrush and then noticing movement on the ground below.  There was the Varied Thrush pecking at something.  One thing can lead to another.  Once found the Varied Thrush was very cooperative.  Also saw a very noisy and visible Virginia Rail at the east end of the spring.  (I need to get a camera.)  On the way back found a Northern Shrike.  Saw the Ruff both coming and going, in the same area already noted by Deedee.  This is the fourth time seeing the Ruff for me and every time it has been in the same general area, mixed in with Killdeer; so check out the Killdeer.  Today's Ruff siting was 4.6 miles west of the AI Causeway entrance fee station.  Here is the list, with 28 species seen:

AI Causeway
Long-tailed Duck - 3
Ruddy Duck - 5
Nothern Shoveler - 100+
Common Goldeneye - 50+
Northern Harrier - 1
American Kestrel - 1
California Gull - 100+
Herring Gull - 1
Least Sandpiper - 3 (There were other peeps, but I couldn't make them out.)
Killdeer - 12+
Ruff - 1

Garr Ranch or on the way
Northern Harrier - 1
American Kestrel - 3
Virginia Rail - 1
Northern Flicker - 2
American Robin - 12+
Hermit Thrush - 1
Varied Thrush - 1
Horned Lark - 50+ (There could have been other stuff mixed in with them.)
Northern Shrike - 1
Spotted Towhee - 5
Song Sparrow - 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 5
House Finch - 3
American Goldfinch - 5
Pine Sisken - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 12+
Black-billed Magpie - 2
Common Raven - 3
European Starling - 24+

Other critters
Buffalo - 12+
Procupine - 1

I appreciate the posts.  Never think it is too late.

Thanks,

Stepphen
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