[ucbnet] Mt. Timpanogos (9/2) (& Provo Parrot)

[Matthew J. Williams]

Hello All,
      My wife and I observed what may have been a Rose-ringed Parakeet (or 
something like it) flying over 500N and Freedom in Provo on Friday 
(9/1).  I heard it at first.  Oddly, since I'm not very familiar with 
parrots, I thought it sounded like a parrot (despite the fact that, 
ultimately, it was likely a parakeet).  Then, I heard some starlings.  I 
was fine with that explanation until my wife (who spots things long before 
I do) exclaimed that there was some weird bird with a long tail flying 
around above.  Fortunately, it doubled back and I saw a green bird with a 
long, thin, greenish tail.  I'm assuming that it was probably an 
escapee...anyone missing a pet?

Now for "real" birds...On Saturday, my wife and I, along with a few other 
non-birders (law students) hiked up Mt. Timpanogos from the Aspen Grove 
Trailhead.  I've attached the list of species that I submitted to eBird.  I 
probably could have added a few sparrows and warblers with a little more 
birding (rather than hiking) time.

Complete List from eBird (http://www.ebird.org/)
5 Blue Grouse - All in one area as we rested beside the trail
1 Cooper's Hawk  - Riding updraft at the saddle.
2 Golden Eagle - soared
1 American Kestrel - updraft @ saddle
2 Peregrine Falcon  - Cliffs above the lake (between the lake and the saddle)
1 Great Horned Owl  - Final species of the day...hooting near Aspen Grove
1 White-throated Swift
2 Calliope Hummingbird - Feeding, perching and interacting at close 
range.  The call sounded different and drew my attention
1 Lewis's Woodpecker  - sallying forth from a forested plateau below the lake
2 Northern Flicker
3 Steller's Jay
6 Clark's Nutcracker
2 Violet-green Swallow
3 Rock Wren
1 Canyon Wren - About 1 mile (including switchbacks) up from the last 
waterfall.
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet
3 Townsend's Solitaire
1 Swainson's Thrush - Calling as we approached Aspen Grove in the evening.
8 American Robin
9 American Pipit - All around the lake.
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
12 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4 MacGillivray's Warbler
1 Western Tanager
2 Chipping Sparrow
2 rosy-finch sp. (2 flying by together at the saddle.)
3 Pine Grosbeak - Just below the lake (fem/juv)
3 Cassin's Finch
15 Pine Siskin


Good Birding,
Matt Williams
Provo, UT