[TopOfUtah] Black-throated Gray Warbler & American Redstart?- Cache Valley

[Buck Russell]

This morning my wife and I birded around Cache Valley.  At the mouth of Green Canyon, about 50 feet up the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, near the fenced electrical equipment, we saw several Lark Sparrows.  Further up Green Canyon, a little south of the "Boy Scout" cave we heard and saw Canyon Wrens, North 41⁰ 46.200" West 111⁰ 45.881".  About two tenths of a mile further up the canyon, beyond the "Boy Scouts" cave we saw and heard a Black-throated Gray Warbler, North 41⁰ 66.302' West 111⁰ 45.636'.  Other birds in the lower portion of Green Canyon included Orange-crowned Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, and Black-capped Chick-a-dee.  
 
We went to Logan's Denzil Setwart Park to try and relocate the Calliope Hummingbird, but no luck.  We did see Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and a Black-chinned Hummingbird.  In the "for whatever it is worth category", I saw what I believe to be an American Redstart.  I have only limited experience with this bird, having seen the American Redstart that was hanging out in the Jordanelle Wetlands a couple of years ago and a female American Redstart in Cache Valley (thanks to Sue Drown).   The male American Redstart has such a distinct coloration pattern when it is flying that I am confident that I saw an American Redstart flying through the park.  The bird soared for a short distance with wing movement stopped.  I was on the side of the hill and was looking down on the bird as it flew by, which enabled me to see the distinct upper body pattern.   Other birds in the park included a House Wren and Northern Flicker.  
 
We went to the Logan mitigation pond (west side of the Logan Landfill) hoping to find peeps, but no luck.  I haven't seen a peep in Cache Valley this year.  We did have a Black-crowned Night Heron flyover and saw lots of Phalarope sex.  
 
At the Benson ox-bow there was a large flock of Long-billed Dowitchers (no I did not hear them sing but base the id on the overall shape).  There were 32 Dowitchers.  Other birds in the area included Cattle Egrets, the usual Canada Geese, but I did not see any Green-winged Teals, or wigeons (normally there are lots of teals and wigeons).
 
At the Pacificorp Upper Bear River Riparian Trailhead/Upper Bear River Access parking lot in Benson we saw lots of Violet-green Swallows and three Soras.  For me Soras are normally heard, but not seen.  These Soras could easily be seen from the edge of the parking lot.  There was also a Bank Swallow in the area.  
 
We cruised through the Amalga Barrens hoping for peeps or a Short-eared Owl, but struck out on both. We did see lots of Savannah Sparrows.
Another great day birding.
Buck Russell
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