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03 Feb Northern Pygmy Owls - South Fork Provo Canyon [Jenson Norman ] 3 Feb Fw: Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Program 2012 ["Deedee &/or Dick O'Brien" ] 03 Feb Pygmy Owl [Norman Jenson ] 3 Feb Crows in SL County [Kristine Van Fleet ] 3 Feb Crows in SLC ["Robins" ] 1 Feb Golden Eagles South Fork Canyon Utah County [Jeff Cooper ] 1 Feb bald eagles [Utah Birds ] 1 Feb Fw: HuffPo Blog and Action Alert: Fixing The Perfect Storm on the Colorado River [Steve Christensen ] 1 Feb ttuggers [James McIntyre ] 1 Feb ghettomomma [James McIntyre ] 1 Feb Pacific Wren in American Fork Canyon (Utah County) - Feb 1st [Eric Huish ] 1 Feb More Bald Eagles [ConnieM ] 1 Feb Re: Bald Eagle at Tracy Aviary [Carolina Roa ] 1 Feb Recent Photos From Davis and Salt Lake County Hotspots [Jeff Cooper ] 1 Feb Bald Eagle at Tracy Aviary [kimberly roush ] 31 Jan GSLA Winter Raptors field trip [Bryant Olsen ] 31 Jan Bird ID Help: A Marsh Wren? [Jenson Norman ] 31 Jan Fox Sparrow in Ogden Canyon ["Kristin Purdy" ] 31 Jan Utah Birders Competition: January summary ["Ryan O'Donnell" ] 31 Jan Flicker on the suet block ["James Lofthouse" ] 31 Jan Pygmy Owl Photos -- South Fork [Utah Birds ] 30 Jan Re: Northern Pygmy Owl [Bill Hutson ] 30 Jan Sunday Birding [Jenson Norman ] 30 Jan Western Gull continues at Farmington Bay NWR ["David Wheeler" ] 30 Jan RE: Web Article on This Year's Snowy Owl Irruption ["Fish, Michael" ] 30 Jan RFI: Black Rosy Finch in Zion/Bryce [Ross Gallardy ] 29 Jan Bald Eagle Aging 3rd Year? [Jenson Norman ] 29 Jan Mew Gull,Lee Kay [Bryant Olsen ] 29 Jan Orange-crowned Warbler in Logan ["Kristin Purdy" ] 29 Jan Northern Pygmy Owl [Utah Birds ] 29 Jan 30 red tails [Utah Birds ] 29 Jan Another pygmy! and gc kinglets. [Tanner Poe ] 29 Jan St. George Bird Festival Summary [kevin wheeler ] 29 Jan Re: Sage Grouse ["Bill Fenimore Sr." ] 29 Jan St George Bird Festival Trip Leaders - a tale of two trips [Buck Russell ] 28 Jan Re: [UBIRD] Garr Ranch Mystery [Jenson Norman ] 28 Jan Garr Ranch Mystery [Jenson Norman ] 28 Jan Garr Ranch Mystery [Jenson Norman ] 28 Jan Web Article on This Year's Snowy Owl Irruption [Jeff Cooper ] 28 Jan Rock Wren [Jenson Norman ] 28 Jan Cornell YouTube Videos ["Kristin Purdy" ] 28 Jan Northern Pygmy Owls in South Fork [Tanner Poe ] 28 Jan A Few Canvasback Ducks, Up Close and Personal ["Rich Young" ] 28 Jan Antelope Island - Rock Wren? [Jenson Norman ] 28 Jan Re: [UBIRD] eBird reporting [Colby Neuman ] 28 Jan New Feature on Website [Utah Birds ] 28 Jan St. George Festival? [Bill and Debbi Compton ] 27 Jan eBird reporting [Jenson Norman ] 27 Jan Black Rosy Finch, Powder Mountain [Paul Higgins ] 27 Jan Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch's, Powder Mountain [Paul Higgins ] 26 Jan Re: Sage Grouse [Brian ] 26 Jan Turkey Vultures [] 26 Jan Sage Grouse [Steve Christensen ] 27 Jan RE: Vulture and Redpoll [Jerry Lig ] 26 Jan RE: [Birdnet] Vulture and Redpoll [Eric Huish ] 26 Jan Adult Goshawk at River Lane (Utah County) [Eric Huish ] 26 Jan Re: [UBIRD] eBird Reporting [Robert Mortensen ] 26 Jan eBird Reporting [Jenson Norman ] 26 Jan Re: Lindon Marina [Jeff Cooper ] 26 Jan Lindon Marina ["Felicia Pimentel" ] 26 Jan PICT0193.JPG ["Kim Davidson" ] 26 Jan Vulture and Redpoll [Jerry Lig ] 26 Jan Fwd: Re: [Birdnet] RE: scope recommendations [kimberly roush ] 25 Jan Re: Farmington bay GSLA field trip report ["Deedee &/or Dick O'Brien" ] 25 Jan Farmington bay GSLA field trip report [Bryant Olsen ] 25 Jan Snowbird Tuesday [Casey Day ] 25 Jan Re: [Birdnet] RE: scope recommendations [Webmail rfridell ] 26 Jan RE: Bird ID Help [Jerry Lig ] 25 Jan Prairie Falcon Antelope Island (1st year) [Jenson Norman ] 25 Jan Bird ID Help [Jenson Norman ] 26 Jan TURKEY VULTURE [Jerry Lig ] 25 Jan Gray Partidge ["Fish, Michael" ] 25 Jan Home Birds ["James Lofthouse" ] 25 Jan RE: Farmington Bay- RN Pheasants, Tundra Swans, Owls [Jerry Lig ] 24 Jan Farmington Bay- RN Pheasants, Tundra Swans, Owls [Kenny Frisch ] 24 Jan Washington Co., 1/24 - Vermilion Flycatcher, Sage Thrasher, WT Kite & Lark Bunting [Webmail rfridell ] Subject: Northern Pygmy Owls - South Fork Provo Canyon From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:51:49 -0700 It was our third time out to see if we could find the Northern Pygmy Owl first reported by Eric Huish a couple of weeks ago and seen since by most everyone but us. We had been up and down the road where it was reported several times today and I'd given up, but Gail on her birthday persuaded me that we should do one more up and down, and that and Gail's sharp eyes was all it took, the little bundle of joy was patiently waiting for us. When I first reported that we were going to try for the owl Ned said to take some pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/onegoodbird/sets/72157629162706461/ cute isn't he. and eyes in the back of his head. And it's a lifer for us. _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Fw: Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Program 2012 From: "Deedee &/or Dick O'Brien" <d-dobrien AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:55:13 -0700 ----- Original Message ----- From: Neka Roundy To: Neka Roundy Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 8:34 AM Subject: Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Program 2012 Attention Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Participants! The 2012 Festival Program is on-line now at www.GreatSaltLakeBirdFest.com Not attached- too big for most emails. We hope you will join us for another fantastic event. On-line registration begins March 1st at 9 am MST. Keynote speaker is "The Big Year" birder, Greg Miller See you in May! Neka neka AT daviscountyutah.gov www.GreatSaltLakeBirdFest.com _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Pygmy Owl From: Norman Jenson <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:05:37 -0700 A little more than .1 miles east of entrance to Big Spring Park south side of road by wooden bridge across stream. South Fork Provo Canyon. the third time was the charm and what a perfect day Gails birthday and fitting that she should spot it. Sent from my iPhone 801-635-0597 _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Crows in SL County From: Kristine Van Fleet <kvanfleet AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:12:40 -0700 I saw approximately 20 Crows on the grass feeding at the Wasatch Lawns Cemetery on 3300 South & 1800 East yesterday at 3:30 p.m. Great birding! Kris _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Crows in SLC From: "Robins" <tmigratorius AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:33:47 -0700 We just had a new yard bird(s) in our Canyon Rim Yard – 85 crows. They flew around for 15 minutes or so landing on the tallest trees then flew off in the direction of Sugar House Park. Hal & Kathleen Robins_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Golden Eagles South Fork Canyon Utah County From: Jeff Cooper <jeffcooper7 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:23:55 -0700 I've passed through South Fork Canyon in Utah County several times in the past couple of weeks. Tuesday I had some appointments at the mouth of Provo Canyon so I drove up the canyon and into South Fork for a quick look for the Pygmy Owl originally reported by Eric Huish, KC Childs, and Oliver Hansen via birdtalk on January 16th. I did not see the owl, but I did come across Norm and Gail Jensen. Unfortunately, my pygmy owl impression didn't get a response from the Pygmy for us. However, I have been very pleased that each of my drives up the 4 mile road of South Fork over the past couple of weeks has resulted in very close looks at Golden Eagles perched and in flight. Each time I have been able to observe at least two Golden Eagles. Last week presented two adults and one juvenile, all flying in the same proximity. This presented the opportunity to study the differences between the different ages. Tuesday I observed two adults and am providing a link to photos of one of those birds below. One image shows the eagle before it flew from a snag above the road to the hillside. Another image shows a profile of the eagle after it landed on the hillside. You can see it has a full crop. Two other images provide some diagnostic marks of Golden Eagles from the perspectives of "nearly head on" and "going away" while showing the tail and upperwing patterns for full adult. You can click on each image to enlarge. I've added some brief comments to each image regarding diagnostic marks. My understanding is largely based on what I've learned from Jerry Liguori. https://plus.google.com/photos/118005878733396796908/albums/5704195727649361617?authkey=CPrgn_3MwIP9Ag I love getting close views of eagles and the South Fork Canyon has been quite reliable the past couple of weeks for seeing these majestic birds in an awe-inspiring setting. Jeff_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: bald eagles From: Utah Birds <utah_birds AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:15:55 -0800 (PST) Birdnet email - from the website It was submitted by eric fonger on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 at 19:53:40 Subject: bald eagles Email_Address: eric fonger Message: I have seen a bald eagle perched on the baseball field lights at willow park pond in Murray. It has been there on a regular basis. _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Fw: HuffPo Blog and Action Alert: Fixing The Perfect Storm on the Colorado River From: Steve Christensen <soitgos2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:36:46 -0800 (PST) Thought some of you may find this interesting. February 1, 2012   Gary Wockner Environmental writer and advocate GET UPDATES FROM GARY WOCKNER   Like 15 Fixing the Perfect Storm on the Colorado River Posted: 01/31/2012 11:00 am React Amazing Inspiring Funny Scary Hot Crazy Important Weird Read more Colorado River System , Colorado River , Colorado River Delta , Colorado River Drought ,Colorado River Legislation , Colorado River Restoration , International Boundary Waters Commission , Denver News SHARE THIS STORY 76 92 2 Get Denver Alerts  Sign Up Submit this story "Fix your eyes on perfection and you can make almost everything speed towards it." -- William Ellery Channing Over five trillion gallons -- that's how much water is drained out of the Colorado River every year leaving it bone stinkin' dry. I know, I was there. A couple months ago I stood in the sand about 75 miles south of Mexicali, Mexico and scanned the horizon -- sand and barren dirt as far as the eye could see. It's a startling sight, not so much for what you see, but for what you don't. Many decades ago that scene was one of the largest wetlands in North America, nearly two million acres of water and grass and one of the largest desert migratory bird oases on the planet. We humans, busy as beavers, have dammed, diverted, and drained the Colorado River until there ain't nothing left. The river starts high in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, but just feet away from its headwaters also starts the dams and diversions. Of the five trillion gallons, cities and farms in the U.S. take the vast majority of it. A small portion, 10 percent, still flows into Mexico, but then is quickly diverted for cities and farms south of the border. Please look at this photo. It's real. That's what the majestic Colorado River looks like right now, today, where it used to meet the Gulf of California. Okay, enough of the doom and gloom, now what can we do about it? Good news: We can begin to fix this massive ecological problem and your voice will make a difference. Over the next few months, the United States and Mexico are negotiating a shared agreement so that a very small amount of Colorado River water may once again reach the Gulf of California and help restore the wildlife and economy of this important region. This agreement will respect the rights of all water users, respect the heritage of U.S.-Mexico border relations, and create an extraordinary opportunity to restore the ecology of the Colorado River Delta. The agreement between the U.S. and Mexico is being negotiated by the International Boundary Waters Commission (which is under the U.S. State Department) and will be administered by the U.S. Department of Interior. Therefore, Secretary Hillary Clinton (State Department) and Secretary Ken Salazar (Interior Department) need to hear from you soon. I have been working with 25 regional, national, and international conservation organizations up and down the Colorado River basin and put together an online petition we have all signed on to where the public can take action. The petition, hosted by Change.org is here. Please read and sign it today by clicking here. The bone dry river is real. The potential agreement between the U.S. and Mexico is also real. And the petition will really make a difference -- I have been in contact with the International Boundary Waters Commission, they are aware of the petition, and we will deliver the petition signatures to the commission and respectfully request that they also take action. With your help, we may all soon be able to stand in the sand 75 miles south of Mexicali and see something different -- a thin line of water, alive and real, racing towards the sea with perfection in its eyes. Let's begin to fix it. Please sign the petition today -- Click Here. The following conservation organizations ask for your signature and support: Save the Colorado River, Sierra Club - Rocky Mountain Chapter, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Living Rivers: Colorado Riverkeeper, The Environmental Group, Western Rivers Institute, Alexandra Cousteau: Blue Legacy, The Ocean Foundation, Clean Water Fund, San Diego Coastkeeper, Save the Poudre: Poudre Waterkeeper, American Whitewater, Waterkeeper Alliance, Food and Water Watch,Colorado Ocean Coalition, Glen Canyon Institute, Save the Colorado River Delta: Sonoran Institute,Sheep Mountain Alliance, Grand Canyon Trust, American Rivers, Citizens for Dixie's Future, Great Basin Water Network, Redford Center: Red River Film, Planning and Conservation League of California, and Defenders of Wildlife. Gary Wockner, Ph.D., is the campaign coordinator for the Save the Colorado River campaign. Contact: gary AT savethecolorado.org. ** To remove your address from this list, just send a blank message from the currently subscribed address, to: announcements-unsubscribe AT savethepoudre.org -- Gary Wockner, PhD, Director Save The Poudre: Poudre Waterkeeper Fort Collins, Colorado http://savethepoudre.org http://www.facebook.com/SaveThePoudre https://twitter.com/savethepoudre -- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message (including any attachments) is confidential and intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you receive this message in error, please notify me immediately by email, telephone, or fax, and delete the original message from your records. Thank you. _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: ttuggers From: James McIntyre <james.d.mcintyre AT att.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:24:26 -0800 (PST) Hi! Only for you! http://gestionatuinmobiliaria.com/viden/oche.php?wozyFriendID=26 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 0:24:24 __________________ "Edison tells this story about himself:Even as a small boy, before we moved away from Milan, I used to try to make experiments." (c) Larine worhya _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: ghettomomma From: James McIntyre <james.d.mcintyre AT att.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:24:18 -0800 (PST) You must know! http://www.spassvoegel-woellstein.de/home/nnetue.php?qikalist=27 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 0:24:17 ____________ "I am sure you can carry on the work, as you say." (c) Capriel vvictor _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Pacific Wren in American Fork Canyon (Utah County) - Feb 1st From: Eric Huish <poorwill_ AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:18:14 -0700 Eric Peterson and I went birding up American Fork Canyon today. There weren't a lot of birds around. Our best bird was a Pacific Wren on the left side of the road (not river side) just above the Roadhouse Picnic Area. It was calling and flitting about when we first spotted it, but it quickly disappeared and we couldn't relocate it. The left fork in AF Canyon, towards Tibble Fork Reservoir, will take you past the Roadhouse Picnic Area. We got some good views of Dippers at various stops and there were several Townsend's Solitaires and Juncos around. In the flocks of juncos we saw 4 'Gray-headed' Juncos, 3 at Mutual Dell and 1 at the Pine Hollow Trailhead. Eric Huish Pleasant Grove UT poorwill_ AT hotmail.com 801-360-8777 _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: More Bald Eagles From: ConnieM <connie.mcmanus AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 13:34:33 -0700 Up here in the Frozen North (i.e. Cache Valley) I happened upon a BAEG about 5 miles from my house. He was perched in a dead tree in the middle of a pasture, heckled by magpies. Photos here https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108586962360411098574/albums/5704262338693749297 -- Connie McManus Nibley, Cache County, Utah *"The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. *" John F. Kennedy_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: Bald Eagle at Tracy Aviary From: Carolina Roa <mariacroav AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:23:06 -0500 Indeed; the Bald Eagle has been hanging in the Aviary premises. If anyone has a chance to scope it, a customer mentioned it is banded. Reading metal bands can be tricky but a scope eases things. Interesting to know its whereabouts. I think it is banded in the right leg. If any of you can read the band, you can report it at: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/ In the Aviary we would be interested to know afterwards about the band number as well, if you may. Thanks, Carolina Roa On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:35 AM, kimberly roush wrote: > Larry Castle-Fericks said she saw a bald eagle while walking her dogs > at Liberty Park. I believe she spoke with Aviary personal who said it has > been hanging around for a few weeks. > > Sure enough, we circled the Aviary yesterday mid afternoon > and it flew from the Aviary into "the" tree in Liberty Park. > The tree was on south end of a pond in Liberty. > > Kim > > > > ______________________________**_________________ > Birdtalk mailing list > Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/**listinfo/birdtalk >_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Recent Photos From Davis and Salt Lake County Hotspots From: Jeff Cooper <jeffcooper7 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:05:03 -0700 I was in Davis County on Monday and decided to do some drive-by birding through a few hot spots in Davis and Salt Lake County on my way back down to Utah County. The link below includes photos of a female Great-tailed Grackle at Jensen Nature Center, a Cinnamon Teal pair in the marsh north of the Nature Center, a series of images of a Loggerhead Shrike before and after capturing a vole below the visitor center on Antelope Island, a flight shot of a male kestrel displaying its fully spread tail while flying away from the camera, a significantly cropped image (from about 100 yards away in a foggy mist) of a young Peregrine Falcon before it bumped a great blue heron from a perch and stole some prey from a Rough-legged Hawk on the ground at Lee Kay Ponds, and a distant Harrier at Farmington Bay. Click the link below and then click on individual images to enlarge them. https://plus.google.com/photos/118005878733396796908/albums/5704027869008249441?authkey=CKiM1pHa3tObvgE Jeff_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Bald Eagle at Tracy Aviary From: kimberly roush <kroush AT xmission.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:35:01 -0700 Larry Castle-Fericks said she saw a bald eagle while walking her dogs at Liberty Park. I believe she spoke with Aviary personal who said it has been hanging around for a few weeks. Sure enough, we circled the Aviary yesterday mid afternoon and it flew from the Aviary into "the" tree in Liberty Park. The tree was on south end of a pond in Liberty. Kim _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: GSLA Winter Raptors field trip From: Bryant Olsen <bryant_olsen AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:44:27 -0800 (PST) Monday, Feb. 6th , GREAT SALT LAKE AUDUBON WINTER RAPTOR TOUR: PROMONTORY PENINSULA Leader: Bryant Olsen One of the great joys of winter is close views of all the wintering raptors, and few places have a greater opportuni- ty to see those raptors than the lands to the north and west of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. We will go west from Corinne to Golden Spike, then down the east side of the promontory peninsula, then up to Howell, and finish off the day around Salt Creek Waterfowl Management area looking for owls at dusk. Beside raptors, other birds potentially seen include Horned Larks and their tag along Snow Buntings and Longspurs, Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse, plus Gray Partridge, Chukars and Pheasant, and maybe swans and other waterfowl. If we are really lucky we may see a Snowy Owl, since it’s an invasion year, and if they are going to be anywhere in Utah, it will be here. Note this will be an all day trip, from dawn to dusk, and subject to cancellation due to weather. Salt Lakers and those from the south, meet at Shopko in Sugarhouse at 7:00am. Those from northern areas can meet up with us at the Bear River MBR headquarters at 8:00am. Dress warmly and bring food and water. Call or e-mail Bryant,(801-498-0362) bryant_olsen AT yahoo.com to sign up. Hope you can join us. Bryant Olsen _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Bird ID Help: A Marsh Wren? From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:00:52 -0700 South Fork, Provo Canyon _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Fox Sparrow in Ogden Canyon From: "Kristin Purdy" <kristinpurdy AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:51:04 -0700 I went to visit an old friend today-an American Dipper-at an angler's access at The Oaks restaurant parking lot along the Ogden River in Ogden Canyon, Weber County. My friend was not "in", but instead I found a slate-colored FOX SPARROW hopping along the stones in the river bed. You could have knocked me over with a foxy feather. Fox Sparrows are classified as occasional winter, which is more rare than rare winter, and less rare than accidental. That sentence looks ridiculous when I read it back to myself, but it's what I intended to write. The Oaks is located on SR-39 between mm 12 and 13; the sparrow's location (and the dipper's spot) is at the angler's access at the west end of the parking lot. Kris _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Utah Birders Competition: January summary From: "Ryan O'Donnell" <ryan.odonnell AT usu.edu> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:15:48 +0000 Today is the last day to register for the Utah Birders Competition - email me now if you want on the list but aren't already on it! Participation has been great so far! Right now, we have 31 birders registered, representing 10 of the 29 Utah counties. It's very early in the year, but with just a few hours left in the first month of the competition, the top counties are Washington and Utah, in a virtual tie at 37.9% of their pre-2012 lists, and Davis County is in third at 36.6%. Despite some great birds being reported lately from Cache County (Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Bohemian Waxwing, Gray Catbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, etc.), the challenger Cache is in the middle of the pack at 33.5%. I'm blaming that on our northern position: I think we lose more of our annual species each winter than some of the more southern counties do, and I think we'll gain some ground when spring migration gets underway. The total list of the participating counties is: Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Duchesne, Iron, Salt Lake, Summit, Uintah, Utah, and Washington. Despite several review species being regularly seen in the greater Salt Lake area, the field is wide open for Rick's bonus prize (a guided birding tour of Washington County) for the most records submitted to the Utah Bird Records Committee. Two records have been submitted so far this year, by two birders. Good birding, Ryan Ryan O'Donnell Bridgerland Audubon Society Logan, UT_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Flicker on the suet block From: "James Lofthouse" <jloft AT digis.net> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:55:47 -0700 _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Pygmy Owl Photos -- South Fork From: Utah Birds <utahbirds AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:54:50 -0700 Tanner Poe and J. Peter Maughan both sent in pygmy-owl photos from South Fork, Provo Canyon (The photos were larger than the 700 KB limit). Here's the link to the Hotline Photo page: http://www.utahbirds.org/hotlinephotos/2012/NorthernPygmyOwl.htm _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: Northern Pygmy Owl From: Bill Hutson <hutsoniv AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:24:50 -0700 Found one here in Sunnyside, Utah as well https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/103364024324721115547/albums/5693591439097937329/5702836984161491074 On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 7:17 PM, Utah Birds wrote: > Birdnet Email -- from the website > It was submitted by kayaklibrarian AT gmail.com on Sunday, January 29, 2012 > at 14:03:13 > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > Subject: Northern Pygmy Owl > > Email_Address: kayaklibrarian AT gmail.com > > Message: I have seen a Northern Pygmy Owl twice now in the same tree. I > found him off the parking lot of the first National Forest access road up > South Fork Canyon. > > _______________________________________________ > Birdtalk mailing list > Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk >_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Sunday Birding From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:54:08 -0700 It was off to Howell in search of White Plastic Bags, Gray Partridge, and Sharp-tailed Grouse, that started our day. We missed the Partridge, and the Grouse, but hey one out of three is not bad. There were lots of Red-tailed Hawks along the way, and the Ravens were everywhere. We thought Howell's city fathers should rename their town Raven, until we found a Great Horned Owl at the location Mike Fish reported. We did find tracks that must have been from the four partridges he reported, but alas they led nowhere. Later in the day at Bear River, as birdless as we've ever seen it, we spotted an American Tree Sparrow along the road to the refuge, a few American Goldfinch, a Harrier or two but that was about it. The loop was dead, a few Pied-billed Grebes we're floating on some open water on the south side of the loop. Gail is now insisting that I quit referring to Ducks, Geese, and Swans as floaters, go figure. We finished the day at Farmington Bay, where we met David Wheeler and Mojo enjoying the afternoon. As David reported on Birdnet Ol Limpy, the Western Gull was there along with a nice group of Herring Gulls. While scoping the Gulls, we learned what a softy David is sharing his scope with a number of visitors looking for eagles, and providing the more serious visitors with views of Ol Limpy. Not even when the Brady Family arrived was he disturbed. Setting and resetting his scope on the lone eagele on the far east side of the bay. Up and down the scope went from three foot three Cindy all the way up to six feet for Mike. Even when they kids banged the scope David was nonplussed simply resetting it again. And inbetween he pointed out a flock of thirteen Tundra Swans as they flew in from the North. As we were getting ready to leave a group of 11 White-faced Ibis flew out across the bay their silhouettes glowing in the setting sun. What a wonderful day of birding we enjoyed. Oh I almost forgot, next time you see David ask him about his connect the dots school of birding, I'm sold. _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Western Gull continues at Farmington Bay NWR From: "David Wheeler" <dswheeler AT utah.gov> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:37:29 -0700 Ol' Limpy, the Western gull that's been limping around Farmington Bay NWR for some weeks now (years?), was still there last evening in the pond SE of the crossroads near the terminal parking lot. Barn owls & Norman-Gail too. _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: RE: Web Article on This Year's Snowy Owl Irruption From: "Fish, Michael" <Michael.Fish AT atk.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:55:42 -0700 Thanks for the link to the great article Jeff. To go along with the article Jeff shared, here is a link to a video put out by Cornell Lab showing footage of the Snowy Owls. Many of you may have already viewed the video since it was shared by Cornell Lab in their January 26th eNews. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufkcx-UqljM&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=13c060f63f-Cornell_Lab_eNews_January_20121_24_2012&utm_medium=email Mike Fish Logan From: birdtalk-bounces AT utahbirds.org [mailto:birdtalk-bounces AT utahbirds.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Cooper Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 10:32 PM To: Birdtalk UtahBirds Subject: [Birdtalk] Web Article on This Year's Snowy Owl Irruption I saw this article while on the Yahoo home page just now. Thought it might be of interest to some among the community. http://news.yahoo.com/snowy-owls-soar-south-arctic-rare-mass-migration-175336821.html Have a great week. Jeff_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: RFI: Black Rosy Finch in Zion/Bryce From: Ross Gallardy <rgallardy AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:12:31 -0500 Hi all, I'm planning a hiking trip out to Zion and Bryce Canyon from February 8-13. I'm going with a nonbirder, so I'm not planning on seeing much except for what flys by while hiking. Though I do have one target bird for the trip, Black Rosy Finch. If anyone knows of any spots/feeders in the south western part of the state that gets them, I'd appreciate hearing about it. Also, any other good little hotspots in the area that would make quick stops to pick up a few interesting birds would be appreciated. Thanks, Ross Gallardy Pittsburgh, PA_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Bald Eagle Aging 3rd Year? From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:22:29 -0700 Pictures taken at Farmington Bay WMA - Davis County, Utah _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Mew Gull,Lee Kay From: Bryant Olsen <bryant_olsen AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:02:33 -0800 (PST) This morning I was finally able to locate the immature MEW GULL that has been hanging out at Lee Kay ponds for the past week or so. It was mixed in with the 500 or so gulls out on the ice south of the pavilion,but I didn't see it tell they all were spooked by a Red-tailed Hawk,and came flying over,then a small brown gull with a solid brown tail caught my eye and flew right over me giving me excelent looks, Bingo,second lifer of the new year! But what was most interesting out there today were all the raptors.Started off with a PRAIRIE FALCON eating a bird,then some N. HARRIERS,RED-TAILED AND ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, plus 2 A. KESTRELS, and some type of dark morph buteo that I didn't get a good look at before it flew out of range. Nice morning all in all. Good Birding Bryant Olsen_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Orange-crowned Warbler in Logan From: "Kristin Purdy" <kristinpurdy AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:08:48 -0700 An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was one of the many birds in the very birdy yard of the home at 1710E. 1040N., Logan, Cache County. An apple tree in the backyard, which is visible from the side bordered by 1700E., is the feeder tree with suet and two kinds of seed feeders. The warbler appeared to be pausing at the apples on the tree. While my several views of the bird were fleeting, it was bright olive above, bright yellow below, no wing markings, and with a lot more horizontal in its posture than vertical, unlike a Lesser Goldfinch. The bird also ignored the nyger sock, which Pine Siskins were using. OC Warblers are classified as rare in winter in Utah. Three RED CROSSBILLS flew over Smithfield Cemetery in the morning and both Ruby-crowned and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were at Mack Park in big trees off the senior center parking lot. It seemed like there were Pine Siskins in many places-both the cemetery and the park, and in neighborhoods down the east bench to Logan. The drake Barrow's Goldeneyes at First Dam are so entertaining as they try to impress the hens with their neck bobbing and stretching. It doesn't seem too sexy to me, but then again, I'm not a duck. Kris http://www.utahbirds.org/counties/cache/MackPark.htm http://www.utahbirds.org/counties/cache/SmithfieldCemetery.htm _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Northern Pygmy Owl From: Utah Birds <utah_birds AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:17:52 -0800 (PST) Birdnet Email -- from the website  It was submitted by kayaklibrarian AT gmail.com on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 14:03:13  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------      Subject: Northern Pygmy Owl    Email_Address: kayaklibrarian AT gmail.com    Message: I have seen a Northern Pygmy Owl twice now in the same tree. I found him off the parking lot of the first National Forest access road up South Fork Canyon._______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: 30 red tails From: Utah Birds <utah_birds AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:10:39 -0800 (PST) Birdnet email - from the website  It was submitted by brothertyler AT gmail.com on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 18:05:36  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------      Subject: 30 red tails    Email_Address:    Message: I live in Lehi, 1 mile East of I-15. 1/28/12 I was on the frontage road between SR-92 and 1200 W when I saw mutiple red-tail hawks. 30 to be exact. Multiple morphs were noted. We (Paul Carroll and I) counted 16 roosting in one field. In trees, on poles, on fence posts. some of them seemed to be pairing up. One was kiting. Others were in a kettle. It was amazing! I saw a similar sighting as I drove on Bangerter Highway south of Riverton IHC hospital. I counted 8 from my car as I drove by and would have loved to stop, but didnt' have the time. Here is the link to 3 roosting in a couple of trees and an in flight shot. https://picasaweb.google.com/111366357948902074964/RedTailFest    _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Another pygmy! and gc kinglets. From: Tanner Poe <tannerpoe AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:51:53 -0800 (PST) Marky and I decided to try for a few more mountain species today.  We decided to try or luck up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  We got to the entrance to donut falls and started or trip.  There was alot of snow but the snowshoers have packed it pretty well, so snow boots worked fine.  We hiked probably 7/8 of the way to the falls before we got any bird action.  Marky used his newly acquired toot and got the birds goin.  Mountain chicadees, white breasted nuthatches, and pine siskins started going crazy.  It wasn't long before we heard another toot from afar.  We ended up getting him in to the top of a tree nea by and he gave us great looks.  Soon we were stopping every snowshoer that came by and made them partake in the great owl experience.  We were almost back down to the parking lot when we heard the distinctive call of the gc kinglets.  We found three just inside the jordan pines campground entrance.  Good birding, Tanner Poe_______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: St. George Bird Festival Summary From: kevin wheeler <turtleherder AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:35:06 -0700 Many thanks to the great organizers, presenters, field trip leaders, and especially all the participants - we had a great Winter Bird Festival. Following is a list of birds observed during field trips on the festival, although not all the trip leaders completed the checklist, so it probably is not complete. Birds seen several places are noted with a C (Common). Mute Swan - Quail Creek/Sand Hollow trip - There have been some wary Mute Swans around. Although not yet on the Utah Checklist, it is wondered if these might actually be "wild." Snow Goose - Springs Park Canada Goose - C Wood Duck - Wilson's Pond Gadwall - Springs Park and Springdale Pond American Wigeon - C Mallard - C Northern Shoveler - C Northern Pintail - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Green-winged Tail - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Canvasback - C Redhead - C Ring-necked Duck - C Greater Scaup - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Lesser Scaup - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Bufflehead - C Common Goldeneye - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Hooded Merganser - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Common Merganser - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Ruddy Duck - C Gambel's Quail - C Ring-necked Pheasant - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Pied-billed Grebe - C Eared Grebe - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Western Grebe - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Double-crested Cormorant - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Great Blue Heron - C Great Egret - Springs Park, Washington Fields Black-Crowned Night Heron - Stonebridge Pond California Condor - Although not seen on the field trip, 2 were reported by several participants who were in Zion Canyon White-tailed Kite - Washington Fields - We were glad that he stuck around for the Festival! Bald Eagle - Cedar Valley, Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Northern Harrier - C Sharp-shinned Hawk - C Cooper's Hawk - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow/ Washington Fields Ferruginous Hawk - Cedar Valley, Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Rough-Legged Hawk - Lytle Ranch Golden Eagle - C American Kestrel - C Merlin - C Prairie Falcon - C American Coot - C Killdeer - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow, Tonaquint Spotted Sandpiper - reported by birders at Quail Creek Reservoir Wilson's Snipe - reported by birders at Cox Park Ring-billed Gull - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Rock Pigeon - C Eurasian Collared-Dove - C White-winged Dove - Hurricane Fields Mourning Dove - C Greater Roadrunner - C Great-horned Owl - Washington Fields Long-Eared Owl - Lytle Ranch Burrowing Owl - Washington Fields Anna's Hummingbird - Lytle Ranch Red-naped Sapsucker - Lytle Ranch Ladder-backed Woodpecker - Halfway Wash Downy Woodpecker - Zion Hairy Woodpecker - Zion Northern Flicker - C Black Phoebe - C Say's Phoebe - C Vermilion Flycatcher - Cox Park Loggerhead Shrike - C Western Scrub-Jay - Red Cliffs Campground Black-billed Magpie - Cedar Valley American Crow - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Common Raven - C Horned Lark - Cedar Valley, Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Black-capped Chickadee - Springdale Pond Verdin - Lytle Ranch, Quail Creek/Sand Hollow Bushtit - Halfway Wash Cactus Wren - reported by birders on Beaver Dam Slope Rock Wren - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow, Halfway Wash Canyon Wren - Red Cliffs Campground Bewick's Wren - C Marsh Wren - Washington Fields Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Lytle Ranch Black-tailed Gnatcatcher - Lytle Ranch Ruby-crowned Kinglet - C Western Bluebird - C Mountain Bluebird - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow/ Washingotn FIelds Townsend's Solitaire - Springdale Pond Hermit Thrush - Lytle Ranch, Springdale Pond American Robin - C Northern Mockingbird - C Sage Thrasher - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow/ Washington Fields European Starling - C American Pipit - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Cedar Waxwing - Halfway Wash Phainopepla - Lytle Ranch Orange-crowned Warbler - C Yellow-rumped Warbler - C Spotted Towhee - C Abert's Towhee - Halfway Wash, Tonaquint Vesper Sparrow - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow/ Washington Fields Black-throated Sparrow - Lytle Ranch Savannah Sparrow - C Song Sparrow - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow Lincoln's Sparrow - C White-crowned Sparrow - C Dark-eyed Junco - C Red-winged Blackbird - C Brewer's Blackbird - C Great-tailed Grackle - C Brown-headed Blackbird - Quail Creek/ Sand Hollow/ Washington Fields House Finch - C Lesser Goldfinch - C House Sparrow - X 109 Species! Ostrich and Peafowl were also observed, and although not wild, really impressed some folks! We hope everyone had a good time! St. George Winter Bird Festival committee _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Re: Sage Grouse From: "Bill Fenimore Sr." <birderb AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:12:52 -0700 Steve: There are many folks involved, including professional wildlife biologists and others, clubs, who love wildlife. Ernie Perkins and I sit on the Utah Wildlife board representing northern Utah. Regards, Bill Fenimore On Jan 26, 2012 7:47 PM, "Steve Christensen" wrote: > Is anyone involved in the Sage Grouse plan being done by state? > > Steve Christensen > > _______________________________________________ > Birdtalk mailing list > Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk >_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: St George Bird Festival Trip Leaders - a tale of two trips From: Buck Russell <winstonga AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:55:09 +0000 My first field trip was to Cedar Valley. The trip leader, Pam Wheeler, was wonderful. At the start of the trip she gave out a bird list and set the expectation of what we might see on the trip. She covered some safety items and showed the drivers a map of where we were going to drive. Once we were on the trip she made sure that the group stayed together and pulled over to let the last car catch up to the group. At each stop she made sure that all the participants saw the birds (set up her scope in spite of the wind and cold). She educated us on how to age eagles and explained what types of birds might be found in each of the habitats we passed through. She always pulled off to the side of the road and allowed traffic to pass before she pulled our group back out on the road. She also gave each vehicle a radio so that everyone knew “why” we pulled off the road and gave specific directions to get everyone on the bird. We saw lots of Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, one Ferruginous Hawk, lots of Red-tails. Great trip! Thanks Pam. My second field trip was a joke. The trip leader did not pass out radios, gave no indication of what we might see, the route we would take, and lost group vehicles as he drove 5-10 miles over the speed limit. On the backroads he stopped in the left lane (while his group tried to pull off the road on the right side). He backed up local traffic for almost 10 minutes on a couple of occasions. Some of the traffic had markings on their vehicles to indicate that they worked for the local ranches. I think he has damaged birder relations with the ranchers in the vicinity of a popular St George birding destination. No explanation of why we stopped or what the trip leader saw. Once we reached the destination he offered the sage advice to the group to disperse and find a quiet place to sit and the birds will come to you. He on the other hand started playing various birds songs on his MP3 player trying to lure in whatever birds might be in the area as he wandered through the underbrush trying to take bird photos. I know that the trip was free and the leader was a volunteer (you get what you pay for), so I have nothing to complain about. The bird festival organizers that I met were great, courteous, and great birders in every sense of the word. I saw wonderful birds and made new friends. Buck Russell _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: [UBIRD] Garr Ranch Mystery From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:14:18 -0700 Oh I see the eye is a berry. On Jan 28, 2012, at 11:11 26PM, Jenson Norman wrote: > > Okay probably just a branch, with my reputation for turning plastic bags into Snowy Owls, and everything else into Robins I'm not to be trusted. > > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to "UBIRD": http://groups.google.com/group/ubird > > To post to this group, send email to ubird AT googlegroups.com > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ubird+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com > > Visit us at http://www.utahbirders.com _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Garr Ranch Mystery From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:11:26 -0700 Okay probably just a branch, with my reputation for turning plastic bags into Snowy Owls, and everything else into Robins I'm not to be trusted. _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Garr Ranch Mystery From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:50:44 -0700 I saw what looked like a bird to me from quite a distance. I couldn't tell looking in the binoculars if it was just a strange branch or actually a bird. When I got closer I couldn't find it, did it fly, is it not a bird at all? That does look like an eye, what do you think? If it's a bird what is it? _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Web Article on This Year's Snowy Owl Irruption From: Jeff Cooper <jeffcooper7 AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:32:28 -0700 I saw this article while on the Yahoo home page just now. Thought it might be of interest to some among the community. http://news.yahoo.com/snowy-owls-soar-south-arctic-rare-mass-migration-175336821.html Have a great week. Jeff_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Rock Wren From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:16:22 -0700 Thanks to all those who responded to confirm that it is a Rock Wren. Damn cute bird? http://www.flickr.com/photos/onegoodbird/6780079221/in/photostream Norm _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Cornell YouTube Videos From: "Kristin Purdy" <kristinpurdy AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:01:53 -0700 Cornell has loaded 26 short Youtube videos on its Lab of Ornithology website about various species and topics in the world of birds. The Snowy Owl video at the top and the White-winged Crossbill video at the bottom of this page are excellent, or you can watch them all in sequence if you wish: http://www.youtube.com/LabofOrnithology Kris _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Northern Pygmy Owls in South Fork From: Tanner Poe <tannerpoe AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:55:34 -0800 (PST) From: Tanner Poe Subject: Northern Pygmy Owls in South Fork To: Birdnet AT utahbirds.org Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 1:45 PM Today Mark Thal and I headed south to try and find the pygmy owl that Eric Huish had reported in South Fork.  We parked at the Big Springs parking lot and began looking around.  We ran into Jeff Cooper and Eric Huish for a minute who were just passing through.  We walked up the road a little ways and it wasn't long before we heard some tooting.  Sure enough there was a little guy up in the top of some aspens right across the road from the first house on your left as you head up the road from the parking lot.  He was very vocal.  After some good looks we were heading back down the road where we found a second owl.  He was on a branch right over the road.  We watched him for quite some time.  He was watching the ground right by the creek for a few minutes and then dove.  We heard a squeal and he lifted off with a mouse in his talons.  He proceeded to enjoy his lunch in our company.  We didn't have the camera with us to catch the feast  but got some good post meal shots.  We also saw a golden eagle way up on the side of the mountain.  Good birding, Tanner Poe_______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: A Few Canvasback Ducks, Up Close and Personal From: "Rich Young" <richbyoung AT isp.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:35:09 -0700 After photographing a group of Canvasback Ducks at Sandy Pond on a sunny day, I was fortunate to find them again on a cloudy day. The result was more detail and some nice BIF to boot! For any interested, see them here: http://www.richbyoung.com/index.html Richard Young _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Antelope Island - Rock Wren? From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:56:33 -0700 _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: [UBIRD] eBird reporting From: Colby Neuman <colby.neuman AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:36:50 -0800 Hi all, With the recent discussion on ubird concerning ebird observations and the size of counts, I would like to encourage everyone to think about suggesting new hotspots within some of these larger hotspots (particularly hotspots that transect multiple habitats). For example, we have a "Big Cottonwood Canyon" (BCC) hotspot, but we also have several hotspots located within the larger BCC hotspot. These include a couple hikes, "Big Cottonwood Canyon -- Spruces Campground", "Big Cottonwood Canyon -- mouth", and "Big Cottonwood Canyon -- Guardsman Pass & Jupiter Peak Area". In locations where most of the birds detected are songbirds (via walking around), I think it's wise to have hotspots be specific areas where people are able to get out of the car and go birding in the area rather than to have a hotspot be from Point A to Point B like "Big Cottonwood Canyon -- Mouth to Storm Mountain" and so forth on up the canyon. So I think we are already on the right track with more refined hotspots within Big Cottonwood Canyon. However, there are still several locations that I know birders stop regularly that are not hotspots so even here we could use a few more additional hotspots suggestions. Storm Mountain, Donut Falls, and the loop road at the base of Brighton all come to mind. So onto the meat and potatoes, the next time you're out birding, particularly in an area that is birded infrequently and probably has just ONE BIG GENERIC hotspot, think about suggesting some of the viewpoints, trailheads, campgrounds, intersections with other forest or blm roads, historic sites, etc. along the way as hotspots. Just to list a few of the current locations that are extremely broad and generic where it seems reasonable to have more specific points include... The Mirror Lake Highway, Bear Lake, Deseret Ranch, Monte Cristo, the Skyline Drive, the Boulder Mountains, many of the national parks, Lake Powell, the Nebo and Alpine Loops, etc.. I know many of these are snowed in currently, but the next time you go on a birding trip to any of these areas, please consider suggesting some new hotspots within them. Even if only once or twice a year another birder contributes data to that more specific point, it will add up over time and be more useful and informative for scientists and other visiting birders. Also, when you have some time, please consider going through your personal locations and suggesting public accessible areas as hotspots. Please let me know if you're unsure how to do this, and I'd be happy to send you directions. Anyway, I'll go through the locations to make sure they appear reasonable, the naming is consistent, etc., but I bet we have some of these more refined spots already in ebird, but they haven't been suggested as hotspots. Also, please do not worry about whether or not the hotspot already exists in the database. I can merge your personal location with the appropriate hotspot once you have suggested it... Thanks, Colby On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 9:36 PM, Jenson Norman wrote: > I posed my question about reporting on the Antelope Island Causeway when > you take a break in the middle to bird the island. Marshall Iliff eBird > Project Leader responded. > > >I'd say there are two good options here. On the way out, maybe commit to > keeping a full list. Keep the mileage for the causeway and the duration > for how long it takes you to cross and to bird the causeway. Then, when > you are returning, keep a separate list with the later start time. If you > want to keep a complete list again (as another effort-based traveling > counts), great, but if not, just report those different species as a list > that does not report all species. It is best if you don't just add those > to your list from the trip out. > > Thanks for the really good question. The Antelope Island Causeway is a > GREAT place -- I wish I was able to bird it more often (I live in > Massachusetts). > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to "UBIRD": > http://groups.google.com/group/ubird > > To post to this group, send email to ubird AT googlegroups.com > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > ubird+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com > > Visit us at http://www.utahbirders.com >_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: New Feature on Website From: Utah Birds <utahbirds AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:25:49 -0700 Greetings, The Utah Birds website had a new "Bird Index" feature. The index is similar to the ones in the back of a bird field guide and have links to the pictures, Utah profiles, songs and calls, feature and bird of the month articles, photo of the month pages, and for rare birds, the sightings lists. Here's a link: http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/BirdIndex.htm If you have any suggestions on how we can make this better, please let us know -- thanks, Utah Birds website staff _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: St. George Festival? From: Bill and Debbi Compton <comptonxrayman AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:33:39 -0500 (EST) Is anybody seeing or reporting birds from the Festival? Bill Compton _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: eBird reporting From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:36:51 -0700 I posed my question about reporting on the Antelope Island Causeway when you take a break in the middle to bird the island. Marshall Iliff eBird Project Leader responded. >I'd say there are two good options here. On the way out, maybe commit to keeping a full list. Keep the mileage for the causeway and the duration for how long it takes you to cross and to bird the causeway. Then, when you are returning, keep a separate list with the later start time. If you want to keep a complete list again (as another effort-based traveling counts), great, but if not, just report those different species as a list that does not report all species. It is best if you don't just add those to your list from the trip out. Thanks for the really good question. The Antelope Island Causeway is a GREAT place -- I wish I was able to bird it more often (I live in Massachusetts). _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Black Rosy Finch, Powder Mountain From: Paul Higgins <phigginscsc AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:29:21 -0800 (PST) Black Rosy Finch, Powder Mountain, Weber County, Utah   Thanks Kris   http://www.pbase.com/phiggins/rosy_finch_black_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch's, Powder Mountain From: Paul Higgins <phigginscsc AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:16:52 -0800 (PST) Thanks Kris Purdy-- http://www.pbase.com/phiggins/rosyfinch_graycrowned_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: Sage Grouse From: Brian <bdmaxfield AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:19:06 -0700 The DWR has a completed Greater Sage-grouse Plan (http://wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame/sage-grouse/pdf/management_plan_2009.pdf). It was completed in 2009. When that Plan was completed, one appendix was not finalized and needed more work. This appendix deals with development within sage-grouse habitat. This appendix is still not approved and has been going through updates and still has an uncertain future. This may be the plan that you may have heard about recently. Brian On 1/26/2012 7:46 PM, Steve Christensen wrote: > Is anyone involved in the Sage Grouse plan being done by state? > > Steve Christensen > > > _______________________________________________ > Birdtalk mailing list > Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Turkey Vultures From: claysonjh AT aol.com Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:04:55 -0500 (EST) Saw 2 Turkey Vultures on Highway 6 along the road out of Helper on power poles heading up the hill towards Soldier Summit this afternoon at 3 pm. Harold Clayson _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Sage Grouse From: Steve Christensen <soitgos2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:46:12 -0800 (PST) Is anyone involved in the Sage Grouse plan being done by state? Steve Christensen_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: RE: Vulture and Redpoll From: Jerry Lig <jerrylig AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:41:16 +0000 Eric: Excellent, thank you! Jerry _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: RE: [Birdnet] Vulture and Redpoll From: Eric Huish <poorwill_ AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:27:25 -0700 I did a quick search of the Utahbirds.org archives and found the following Utah January Vulture reports. Dave Hanscom (9 Jan 2011) - did the northern loop thru Faust Valley and Howell. Lots of Gray Partridge, including a flock just across the street from ATK near the turn to Golden Spike. Four Sharp-tailed Grouse south of Howell as others have reported. Most amazing sighting of the day was a Turkey Vulture just west of Tremonton! - http://utahbirds.org/BirdnetArchives/2011/2011_01.htm Bryan Shirley (29 Jan 2009) - Today there was a Turkey Vulture in Spring Lake along the hwy perched in a dead snag. He actually seemed to be enjoying himself - just sitting with wings spread trying to soak up some rays. I was very surprised to see him, but not sure if there are other winter records for central utah. - http://www.utahbirds.org/BirdnetArchives/2009/2009_01.htm Eric Huish Pleasant Grove UT poorwill_ AT hotmail.com 801-360-8777 From: jerrylig AT hotmail.com To: birdnet AT utahbirds.org Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:40:31 +0000 Subject: [Birdnet] Vulture and Redpoll I was wondering if there were any other January records for Turkey Vulture in northern utah, how about southern Utah, not sure of their occurrence in the southern part of the state monthly? Any info would be helpful. I noticed Common Redpoll is a write-up bird, had 2 fly over about a week ago, and one a while back...I think I mentioned it, but wasn't aware of its status. Good to know. Jerry _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Adult Goshawk at River Lane (Utah County) From: Eric Huish <poorwill_ AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:01:06 -0700 I saw an adult Northern Goshawk in the woods along the river at River Lane today (2:30 pm). KC Childs was able to refind it at 3:10 pm. Eric Huish Pleasant Grove, UT poorwill_ AT hotmail.com Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: [UBIRD] eBird Reporting From: Robert Mortensen <birdingisfun AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:45:14 -0700 I report each trip separately, most just for my own pleasure at seeing the difference...and what a difference there sometimes is. If we spend any significant time on the island, it really should be a separate list. On Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 12:42 PM, Jenson Norman wrote: > When you bird the Antelope Island Causeway and then the island checking > the causeway again on your way out, how do you report it to eBird. One > list, two lists, if not what do you list for the time since one may be > morning and the other afternoon. The same question applies for BRMBR do you > have separate lists for the road and refuge, do you combine them. If you > have separate lists how do you deal with the two trips down the refuge road. > > Norm > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to "UBIRD": > http://groups.google.com/group/ubird > > To post to this group, send email to ubird AT googlegroups.com > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > ubird+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com > > Visit us at http://www.utahbirders.com >_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: eBird Reporting From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:42:26 -0700 When you bird the Antelope Island Causeway and then the island checking the causeway again on your way out, how do you report it to eBird. One list, two lists, if not what do you list for the time since one may be morning and the other afternoon. The same question applies for BRMBR do you have separate lists for the road and refuge, do you combine them. If you have separate lists how do you deal with the two trips down the refuge road. Norm _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: Lindon Marina From: Jeff Cooper <jeffcooper7 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:25:27 -0700 The Ibises have seen consistently so far this winter in the pond mentioned south of the marina. I often drive south from the marina and settling ponds toward Vineyard. Earlier this week I found six Wilson's Snipes along with a variety of dabbling ducks in the marshy area on the south side of Vineyard Rd after you pass the turf farm. I also heard rails in the area. On Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 12:03 PM, Felicia Pimentel wrote: > ** > I had a couple of hours to kill this morning and stopped at the Lindon > Marina. The best sightings for me were the 6 WHITE-FACED IBIS and 2 adult > BALD EAGLES having a midair scuffle. > > Felicia Pimentel > > Lindon Boat Harbor & Geneva Settling ponds , Utah, US-UT > Jan 26, 2012 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM > Protocol: Traveling > 1.0 mile(s) > 18 species (+1 other taxa) > > Gadwall 40 > Mallard 20 > Northern Shoveler 5 > Green-winged Teal 4 > Pied-billed Grebe 2 > Great Blue Heron 1 > White-faced Ibis 6 In the pond just south of the marina; was able to > see fairly close both flying and foraging > Bald Eagle 2 > American Coot 50 > gull sp. 10 > Mourning Dove 9 > Belted Kingfisher 2 > Northern Flicker 2 > American Robin 1 > European Starling 50 > Dark-eyed Junco 5 > Red-winged Blackbird 30 > American Goldfinch 24 > House Sparrow 4 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) > > _______________________________________________ > Birdtalk mailing list > Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk >_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Lindon Marina From: "Felicia Pimentel" <ffpimentel AT qwest.net> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:03:24 -0700 I had a couple of hours to kill this morning and stopped at the Lindon Marina. The best sightings for me were the 6 WHITE-FACED IBIS and 2 adult BALD EAGLES having a midair scuffle. Felicia Pimentel Lindon Boat Harbor & Geneva Settling ponds , Utah, US-UT Jan 26, 2012 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.0 mile(s) 18 species (+1 other taxa) Gadwall 40 Mallard 20 Northern Shoveler 5 Green-winged Teal 4 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Great Blue Heron 1 White-faced Ibis 6 In the pond just south of the marina; was able to see fairly close both flying and foraging Bald Eagle 2 American Coot 50 gull sp. 10 Mourning Dove 9 Belted Kingfisher 2 Northern Flicker 2 American Robin 1 European Starling 50 Dark-eyed Junco 5 Red-winged Blackbird 30 American Goldfinch 24 House Sparrow 4 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: PICT0193.JPG From: "Kim Davidson" <kdavidson AT hoglezoo.org> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:29:40 -0700 I have almost two dozen of these little guys outside my window here at the Zoo this morning. - Kimberly Kimberly Davidson Assistant Director/General Curator Utah's Hogle Zoo 2600 Sunnyside Ave Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Phone: 801-584-1703 FAX: 801-584-1762 Cell phone: 801-867-2603 THINK GREEN!...before printing this e-mail. Conserve paper. "The most important capacity we possess is our ability to influence ourselves and others!"_______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Vulture and Redpoll From: Jerry Lig <jerrylig AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:40:31 +0000 I was wondering if there were any other January records for Turkey Vulture in northern utah, how about southern Utah, not sure of their occurrence in the southern part of the state monthly? Any info would be helpful. I noticed Common Redpoll is a write-up bird, had 2 fly over about a week ago, and one a while back...I think I mentioned it, but wasn't aware of its status. Good to know. Jerry _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Fwd: Re: [Birdnet] RE: scope recommendations From: kimberly roush <kroush AT xmission.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:09:22 -0700 I have had the KOWA TSN-4 for years - since the 80's. It is a tank. I paint birds looking through it and it is a joy. The reviews of my scope even as old as it is still rank in the top listings. I had it on the Jersey beach this fall and while my camera equipment had sand all over the scope seems untouchable. It has the zoom eyepiece - 20X - 60X. When out with others sometimes they do not bother setting up their scope if mine is available. Production and quality can change over the years as with the Bogen (also a tank ie indestructible) change to the Italian made tripods. So I do not know how the KOWA is made today in comparison to what I bought in the 80's.. I have a different take on binoculars. I still use an old pair of Nikon 7 X 35 9.3 degree. They too are a tank from the 80's. I have been out with others with more expensive binocs and they seem to not be able to see things I do with the clarity of mine. Ella Sorenson was my first bird instructor. She said she gave up on buying good binocs as they always ended up in the bottom of rivers etc. We are all different and everyone else seems to survive with their expensive binocs. I think the Nikon I use was $100.00 at the time. I am not a techie and I am sure others have great expensive binocs. KOWA TSN-4 was an expensive but lifelong purchase for me. Good luck! Did not think I would be weighing in on this one until Rick mentioned the KOWA. Kim > > Andy, Stephanie, and others, > > I thought I'd offer my opinion on the scope discussion. If you are > really into birding and plan on using your scope alot, my advice is > to look at the best glass you can afford, and than buy the next > model up! If you have to, buy off-brand groceries, lower octane > gas, generic cold meds, and cheap shoes for awhile .....and put > your money into the best scope and binoculars you possibly can. If > watching birds is your passion and you plan on using these optics > often.....you will not regret it! A high quality scope and/or > binoculars can provide years (decades?) of enjoyment. > > Also, I strongly advise to get a scope with a 20-60x eyepeice. > These zoom eyepeices have come a long ways in the last 5-10 years > and nearly every scope I've ever looked through does fine at the > lower zoom levels (20-40x - and all quality scopes perform great at > the higher zoom levels). Think about it, even if you plan on using > your scope primarilly at lower zoom levels (20-40x) where the image > is more crisp, brighter, and colors are more true.....you can still > zoom in up to 60x on that strange duck, loon, or hawk on the other > side of the reservoir. Even if there is some loss of image > sharpness and brightness, you can still make out shape, structure, > and patterns that can make all the difference (the small print Kris > is referring to below that would be lost otherwise). > > Last, if you plan on sharing your scope with a shorter or taller > spouse, partner, tour group, bird club, and especially kids... > consider getting an angled eyepiece (rather than straight). It will > take a little getting used to if you're conditioned to a straight > scope (but not too much) and will drastically reduce the amount of > time you spend bending over and raising/lowering your tripod. > > Regarding Kowa scopes (I have no experience with Alpen).... I had a > Kowa (TSN3 if I recall correctly, definitely had a 20-60x > eyepeice!) that was great (unfortunately it was stolen) .....At the > time, it was comparable to the best scopes in nearly all but the > worst lighting conditions. > > Good luck with your decisions whatever you decide and ....enjoy the > birds! > > I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at the St. George Winter > Bird Festival this weekend. > > Regards, > > Rick Fridell > Hurricane, UT > > > > > > On Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 4:35 PM, Kristin Purdy > wrote: > I use a 20-60x zoom and it’s absolutely fabulous. You could read > that small print if you had a 20-60x zoom lens like I do, but you > 30x power people are probably out of luck. > > > > Kris > > > > From: birdnet-bounces AT utahbirds.org [mailto:birdnet- > bounces AT utahbirds.org] On Behalf Of Jerry Lig > Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:34 AM > To: birdnet > Subject: [Birdnet] RE: scope recommendations > > > > > > Andy: > > > > Below are links to 2 excellent scopes in that price range. One word > of advice, the eye-piece you choose it more important than the > actual scope. A 30x wide angle is overall a great choice, zooms are > sketchy as far as quality, and if you can't see or identify > something in 30x, chances are you won't with a zoom. The image > quality over 30x degrades quite a bit. And a wide angle is helpful > for finding things more easily. Others may disagree about zooms, > but don't be offended by my recommendation....truthfully, I have no > idea who uses a zoom or not out there. > > > > I would look locally first before buying on-line, its easier to > deal with and helps the local owners. The links are not meant to > promote eagle optics, just meant to help so you can see the specs > on the scopes. > > > > Jerry > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.eagleoptics.com/spotting-scopes/kowa/kowa-tsn-662- > straight-66mm-spotting-scope > > > > http://www.eagleoptics.com/spotting-scopes/kowa/kowa-tsn-602- > straight-60mm-spotting-scope > > > _______________________________________________ > Birdnet mailing list > Birdnet AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet > > _______________________________________________ > Birdtalk mailing list > Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: Farmington bay GSLA field trip report From: "Deedee &/or Dick O'Brien" <d-dobrien AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:34:43 -0700 To add to Bryant's report: we also had 14 pheasant and two Rough-legged Hawks at Farmington. We began birding in the parking lot of the Nature Center, specifically checking the owl box of Barn Owls. We were so focused on birds that we neglected to notice there are now only 4 poles in the heron rookery. That huge windstorm in December broke off two of the poles and knocked down a couple of the horizontal bars on the remaining ones. Diana Vos, the director of the Nature Center, pointed it out to us. So much for being observers of nature! :) Those heavy benches that are in the NW corner of the parking lot had been blown into the marsh pond too (now retrieved). Plans are afoot to replace the poles, but who knows if it will happen in time for GBH nesting. Deedee ----- Original Message ----- From: Bryant Olsen To: birdtalk AT utahbirds.org Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 9:32 PM Subject: [Birdtalk] Farmington bay GSLA field trip report We found some interesting birds on today's Great salt Lake Audubon field trip to farmington bay. Started of with the BARN OWL in the nest box at the Heron rookery. Then on egg island we found a PRAIRIE MERLIN. In a rose bush near the base of egg island we found a group of sparrows that included a few AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and one SAVANNAH SPARROW. Most areas were still very frozen over,and so not very many gulls or bald eagles, but lots of N. HARRIERS and A. KESTRELS. Also a distant flock of TUNDRA SWANS. One WHITE-FACED IBIS near the 4 way. Then on to the AIC,which was pretty dead,except for a thousand or so CANADA GEESE(no cacklers), more Kestrels, and a couple dozen or so COMMON GOLDENEYE at the second bridge,plus the usual N. SHOVELERS. At Jensen park we were assaulted by a gang of hungry domestic ducks,and a parade of GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES in the parkinglot,with a few more Canada Geese on the pond.Back at Farmington Bay before leaving,we saw the PRAIRIE FALCON had come back to roost on the heron rookery. I swung by Lee Kay ponds on the way home,and not a single gull was on the ponds,just a few loners flying around,but I did see 7 HOODED MERGANSERS,a new county bird for me. Checklist: Farmington Bay: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9685703 AIC: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9685920 Good Birding Bryant Olsen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Farmington bay GSLA field trip report From: Bryant Olsen <bryant_olsen AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:32:38 -0800 (PST) We found some interesting birds on today's Great salt Lake Audubon field trip to farmington bay. Started of with the BARN OWL in the nest box at the Heron rookery. Then on egg island we found a PRAIRIE MERLIN. In a rose bush near the base of egg island we found a group of sparrows that included a few AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and one SAVANNAH SPARROW. Most areas were still very frozen over,and so not very many gulls or bald eagles, but lots of N. HARRIERS and A. KESTRELS. Also a distant flock of TUNDRA SWANS. One WHITE-FACED IBIS near the 4 way. Then on to the AIC,which was pretty dead,except for a thousand or so CANADA GEESE(no cacklers), more Kestrels, and a couple dozen or so COMMON GOLDENEYE at the second bridge,plus the usual N. SHOVELERS. At Jensen park we were assaulted by a gang of hungry domestic ducks,and a parade of GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES in the parkinglot,with a few more Canada Geese on the pond.Back at Farmington Bay before leaving,we saw the PRAIRIE FALCON had come back to roost on the heron rookery. I swung by Lee Kay ponds on the way home,and not a single gull was on the ponds,just a few loners flying around,but I did see 7 HOODED MERGANSERS,a new county bird for me. Checklist: Farmington Bay: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9685703 AIC: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9685920 Good Birding Bryant Olsen_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Snowbird Tuesday From: Casey Day <birdingonthe AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:29:32 -0700 Spent the day at Snowbird on Tuesday. The first birds I saw were a flock of 30-40 ROSY-FINCHES just along the trail that runs behind the main lodge. Didn't have my binos so not sure if there were any black rosy-finches in the group. Didn't see much else around the mountain the rest of the day but heard several MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES. A quick check of the feeders around 3:00 yielded one STELLER'S JAY and one DOWNY WOODPECKER. The feeders had a couple of suet cakes and some kind of mixed seed, which is the norm at the bird. I was hoping the rosy-finches had found the feeders but no luck. Also, there was a nice full hummingbird feeder for all those wintering hummers, you know, just in case. If anyone has more information on feeders at other resorts I would be all ears. Casey Day_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Re: [Birdnet] RE: scope recommendations From: Webmail rfridell <rfridell AT burgoyne.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:51:50 -0700 Andy, Stephanie, and others, I thought I'd offer my opinion on the scope discussion. If you are really into birding and plan on using your scope alot, my advice is to look at the best glass you can afford, and than buy the next model up! If you have to, buy off-brand groceries, lower octane gas, generic cold meds, and cheap shoes for awhile .....and put your money into the best scope and binoculars you possibly can. If watching birds is your passion and you plan on using these optics often.....you will not regret it! A high quality scope and/or binoculars can provide years (decades?) of enjoyment. Also, I strongly advise to get a scope with a 20-60x eyepeice. These zoom eyepeices have come a long ways in the last 5-10 years and nearly every scope I've ever looked through does fine at the lower zoom levels (20-40x - and all quality scopes perform great at the higher zoom levels). Think about it, even if you plan on using your scope primarilly at lower zoom levels (20-40x) where the image is more crisp, brighter, and colors are more true.....you can still zoom in up to 60x on that strange duck, loon, or hawk on the other side of the reservoir. Even if there is some loss of image sharpness and brightness, you can still make out shape, structure, and patterns that can make all the difference (the small print Kris is referring to below that would be lost otherwise). Last, if you plan on sharing your scope with a shorter or taller spouse, partner, tour group, bird club, and especially kids... consider getting an angled eyepiece (rather than straight). It will take a little getting used to if you're conditioned to a straight scope (but not too much) and will drastically reduce the amount of time you spend bending over and raising/lowering your tripod. Regarding Kowa scopes (I have no experience with Alpen).... I had a Kowa (TSN3 if I recall correctly, definitely had a 20-60x eyepeice!) that was great (unfortunately it was stolen) .....At the time, it was comparable to the best scopes in nearly all but the worst lighting conditions. Good luck with your decisions whatever you decide and ....enjoy the birds! I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at the St. George Winter Bird Festival this weekend. Regards, Rick Fridell Hurricane, UT On Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 4:35 PM, Kristin Purdy wrote: > I use a 20-60x zoom and it’s absolutely fabulous. You could read that > small print if you had a 20-60x zoom lens like I do, but you 30x power > people are probably out of luck.**** > > ** ** > > Kris **** > > ** ** > > *From:* birdnet-bounces AT utahbirds.org [mailto: > birdnet-bounces AT utahbirds.org] *On Behalf Of *Jerry Lig > *Sent:* Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:34 AM > *To:* birdnet > *Subject:* [Birdnet] RE: scope recommendations**** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > Andy:**** > > ** ** > > Below are links to 2 excellent scopes in that price range. One word of > advice, the eye-piece you choose it more important than the actual scope. A > 30x wide angle is overall a great choice, zooms are sketchy as far as > quality, and if you can't see or identify something in 30x, chances are you > won't with a zoom. The image quality over 30x degrades quite a bit. And a > wide angle is helpful for finding things more easily. Others may disagree > about zooms, but don't be offended by my recommendation....truthfully, I > have no idea who uses a zoom or not out there.**** > > ** ** > > I would look locally first before buying on-line, its easier to deal with > and helps the local owners. The links are not meant to promote eagle > optics, just meant to help so you can see the specs on the scopes. **** > > ** ** > > Jerry**** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > > http://www.eagleoptics.com/spotting-scopes/kowa/kowa-tsn-662-straight-66mm-spotting-scope > **** > > ** ** > > > http://www.eagleoptics.com/spotting-scopes/kowa/kowa-tsn-602-straight-60mm-spotting-scope > **** > > _______________________________________________ > Birdnet mailing list > Birdnet AT utahbirds.org > http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet >_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: RE: Bird ID Help From: Jerry Lig <jerrylig AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:22:59 +0000 I'm sorry Norm, I forgot to tell you it is a domestic goose Jerry _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Prairie Falcon Antelope Island (1st year) From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:47:04 -0700 _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Bird ID Help From: Jenson Norman <onegoodmove AT mac.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:19:32 -0700 Found four or five hundred Canada Geese on the causeway this afternoon, with this mixed in. Ross's, Snow, or something else? _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: TURKEY VULTURE From: Jerry Lig <jerrylig AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:11:00 +0000 Crazy thing....saw a Turkey Vulture today at Antelope Island. Pretty odd for January Jerry _______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet Subject: Gray Partidge From: "Fish, Michael" <Michael.Fish AT atk.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:17:52 -0700 At about 1:00pm today, I spotted 4 Gray Partridge (finally) near the old abandoned house southwest of Howell. The house is located on 15200 N. and just east of 18300 West. This was my fourth trip to Howell this month, but was the first time there was snow on the ground. The old house is always one of my stops, and will almost always produce an owl or two. I found one Great Horned Owl sitting in a tree right near the front of the lot. As I left that location, I headed east on 15200 N. and the Partridge were on the south side of the road down in the irrigation ditch. I didn't see the birds until I was right next to them. I had to have driven right past them just minutes earlier. The partridge were about 200 feet south of the old house, and when I stopped, they hustled straight towards the heavy brush in front of the old home. I saw several Gray Partridge last year on this same property. Zero Sharp-tailed Grouse this trip. Mike Fish Logan_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Home Birds From: "James Lofthouse" <jloft AT digis.net> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:03:24 -0700 http://donce.lofthouse.com/jamaica/feeder_p2.jpg _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: RE: Farmington Bay- RN Pheasants, Tundra Swans, Owls From: Jerry Lig <jerrylig AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:55:52 +0000 I was out there too, love the Pheasants! Jerry Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:29:51 -0700 From: kenneth.frisch AT gmail.com To: ubird AT googlegroups.com; Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org CC: Subject: [Birdtalk] Farmington Bay- RN Pheasants, Tundra Swans, Owls Hey all, Today I birded in the evening at Farmington Bay. I had a flock of 17 Ring-necked Pheasants there feeding alongside a flock of American Pipits with some Horned Larks mixed in too. In a large patch of open water there was a flock of 264 Tundra Swans which called the whole time there providing a nice background noise to my evening. Around 5:45 pm, I had views of 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Barn Owl hunting, with the Bark Owl giving me my first good looks at this species (instead of seeing one flying in front of my car's headlights) . Good Birding, Kenny Frisch _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk _______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Farmington Bay- RN Pheasants, Tundra Swans, Owls From: Kenny Frisch <kenneth.frisch AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:29:51 -0700 Hey all, Today I birded in the evening at Farmington Bay. I had a flock of 17 Ring-necked Pheasants there feeding alongside a flock of American Pipits with some Horned Larks mixed in too. In a large patch of open water there was a flock of 264 Tundra Swans which called the whole time there providing a nice background noise to my evening. Around 5:45 pm, I had views of 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Barn Owl hunting, with the Bark Owl giving me my first good looks at this species (instead of seeing one flying in front of my car's headlights) . Good Birding, Kenny Frisch_______________________________________________ Birdtalk mailing list Birdtalk AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk Subject: Washington Co., 1/24 - Vermilion Flycatcher, Sage Thrasher, WT Kite & Lark Bunting From: Webmail rfridell <rfridell AT burgoyne.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:50:57 -0700 Hello, I thought I'd run through the Washington Fields this afternoon (1/24) after picking Quinn up from daycare to see if any of the recent rarities were sticking around for the upcoming St. George Winter Bird Festival. The White-tailed Kite was still in the wet meadow area across from the George Washington Academy and at least one Lark Bunting was remaining in the southeast corner of the fields. We didn't get a chance to look for additional buntings because we got distracted by a beautiful young male Vermilion Flycatcher. We used the remaining light to try and photograph the flycatcher. Here's a couple photos http://www.pbase.com/rfridell/image/141118922 . We also saw a Sage Thrasher along 3000 East. Also of note, this past weekend I saw a Red-breasted Sapsucker along the Beaver Dam Wash at the road crossing south of Lytle Ranch, and there's been an adult Herring Gull on Quail Creek Reservoir / Stratton Pond the last couple of days. I look forward to seeing some of you at the bird festival. Regards, Rick Fridell Hurricane, UT_______________________________________________ Birdnet mailing list Birdnet AT utahbirds.org http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet