[TopOfUtah] Cache Co. Chipping and Harris's Sparrow, Blue-winged Teal, prob. Mew Gull

[Ryan O'Donnell]

I birded a bit around the valley this afternoon (Thursday).  I started
at Alice Lindahl's house where I found the HARRIS'S SPARROW she's been
seeing off and on all winter:
 
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_0995.jpg
 
I also saw my second GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE of the year at Alice's feeders.
I then took a short walk near the Bonneville Shoreline Trail between
Logan Canyon and Green Canyon, where I found my first CHIPPING SPARROW
of the year mixed in with a flock of Juncos:
 
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_1006.jpg
 
>From there I went to "Sue's Ponds," A.K.A. the Mitigation Ponds, just
west of the Logan Landfill.  I saw a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL here: 
 
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_1026.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_1020.jpg
 
Among the Wilson's Phalaropes was the first male I've seen this year
(I've seen about 20 or so females so far).  The peeps that have recently
been reported were present, minus the Sanderling.  Perhaps the biggest
surprise was what I'm 95% sure is a MEW GULL.  I don't know if this is
the same individual I found nearby back in February, but if it is then
it's plumage has (not surprisingly) changed a bit.  When I first saw
this bird today I thought it was a Mew Gull, and then convinced myself
in the field that it was actually just a Ring-billed Gull based on the
pale-ish rump and darkish tail.  However, after going through my photos
I've decided that my gut was probably right, and I am now pretty
convinced that this is a Mew Gull based on bill and head size, low
constrast in the wings, brownish tone to the wings, and brownish
smudging on the body.  I'd love to hear your opinions either way. 
 
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_1036A.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_1035A.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_1040A.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/Tsirtalis/DSC_1042A.jpg
 
Good birding,
Ryan
 
Ryan P. O'Donnell
Department of Biology and the Ecology Center
Utah State University
5305 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-5305
 
http://200birds.blogspot.com