Utah 2006

Got up early Friday morning and drove to Orem, Utah where we met Glenn. Followed him to a friend’s house where he dropped his truck off, then we drove to Provo where we joined a caravan of Utah Ornithological Society birders headed for San Juan County in southeast Utah. I was told that this county was larger than the state of Connecticut.

We stopped at the Burriston Ponds where Joan spotted some Long-billed Curlews (something she excelled at throughout the trip). Other goodies were more Cinnamon Teals, a large flock of Cedar Waxwings, Sandhill Crane, Yellow-rumped Warbler (the Audubon’s variety), Marsh Wren, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. But the highlights had to be the raptors. Fantastic view of a Golden Eagle through the scope as it flew off. Great looks at white wing patches in flight. Definitely made up for yesterday’s miss. Also had sightings of Swainson’s Hawk, American Kestrel, and Red-tailed Hawk.

Then on to Chicken Creek Reservoir where we saw the usual ducks and my personal favorite—the Black-necked Stilt. We saw a Dowitcher, which was first thought to be a Long-billed because of location, but after careful examination of the bird and a consultation with Sibley’s, we determined was a Short-billed. Also saw a Cattle Egret in breeding plumage.

Next stop was Sevier Bridge Reservoir. Not too much going on here, but did see our first (and only) Mergansers of the trip (Commons), Red-tailed Hawks, and a Say’s Phoebe and a Sage Thrasher. Saw another Golden Eagle; this one eating carrion on the side of the road. Also, some Common Ravens nesting on telephone poles. Passed a Turkey Vulture near Salina and a Cooper’s Hawk along the way.

Stopped at Bicknell Bottoms where we got Sandhill Crane and Northern Harrier. Drove on through Capitol Reef National Park. I had never heard of this park before, it is truly extraordinary. Incredible red rock formations. This terrific scenery continued for quite some time. In other places, the colors changed to tans and greens. Spectacular. Can’t believe that we pretty much just drove on through, but we had to get those birds. Joan and I did see one Wild Turkey at Capitol Reefs—we were the only ones to get it! Also had White-throated Swifts and another Cooper’s Hawk there. At Fry Canyon added a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

The group stopped at Blanding for dinner. Can’t remember the name of the restaurant, but it was good. We were supposed to go owling at Devil’s Canyon Campground, but this was cancelled due to the general tiredness of the group (although some did go on on their own). Drove to Monticello, where we met Glenn’s friend, Merrill who had driven down alone. Tired, we checked in to the motel and went to bed since we had to get up early the next morning.