Antelope Island Causeway -- Long-Tailed Ducks and Other Good Birds

Antelope Island Causeway

November 23, 2012

Me and my dad decided to head out to Antelope to see if we could find the two Long-Tailed Ducks that were being reported along the causeway. When we arrived it was about 8:00 AM. We started out on mile marker 5 looking for any shorebirds and very surprisingly we couldn't find any (The only shorebirds we saw that day was a lone American Avocet and a group of Killdeer). Our next stop was the Second Bridge. On the way we saw numerous Bonoparte's, Ring-Billed, and California Gulls, a few Eared Grebes, lots of Common Goldeneye and Shovelers. At the bridge we were in for a very nice surprise. We first looked on the North side and found a very late Franklin's Gull mixed in with a group of about 80 Bonoparte's.

 Franklin's Gull

The next good find was 3 Surf Scoters and a Harlequin Duck on the south side of the Bridge.

Grainy Picture of the Harlequin Duck (right) and the Surf Scoter (left)

Also at the second bridge were 2 Horned Grebes and a Greater Scaup. After scanning the rest of the duck rafts to the South (mostly Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaups, and Redheads), we moved on a little ways down the road by the Marina Parking lot. We got out the scope out and scanned the Goldeneye far out to the North. The first bird I put the scope on just happened to be a Long-Tailed Duck.

This was only my second Long-Tailed Duck ever and a first for the causeway.

This was only the beginning of the Long-Tailed Ducks that day. We went out on the Marina road and scanned the ducks, this time with a much closer view. We turned up 5 more Surf Scoters and 4 more Long-Tailed Ducks. Two of the ducks were males (one immature and one an adult) and the other three were females. (Sadly I spaced getting pictures of the Scoters in the good light because I was so into the ducks)

Three Long-Tailed Ducks 

(The two females right and the immature male left)

We then headed over to Lady Finger point and found yet another male Long-Tailed Duck. 

This was the 7th and Final Long-Tailed Duck of the day.

 All in all, a great day it was at the causeway. A total of 8 Surf Scoters, 7 Long-Tailed Duck, a Greater Scaup, Franklin's Gull, and a Harlequin Duck.

Powder Mountain Ski Resort

Powder Mountain Feeders

November 23, 2012

After Antelope Island, my dad and I decided to go to Powder Mountain. We arrived at about 3:00 PM and first thing, we found a good looking Clark's Nutcracker perched in a tree above the feeders.

  Clark's Nutcracker

At the same time a big flock of Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finches were associating with each other all around the feeder and in the trees. (No Black Rosy-Finches mixed in)

Interior Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch

 The best bird of the day was for sure the Common Redpoll. This was a lifer for me and a Rare bird for the state of Utah.

Common Redpoll

              Common Redpoll with Interior Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch

 Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

It was seen with the Rosy-Finches at the feeder and surprisingly was not very shy. It gave great looks and picture opportunities.

Another Good bird at the feeders was this Stellar's Jay.

Provo City Cemetery - Northern Parula

Provo City Cemetery - December 22, 2012

Northern Parula

We arrived at the cemetery at about 9:00 A.M. and immediately we saw another birder down the road. We stopped and asked him if he had any luck on the Parula. He said it was last seen about 30 minutes before with a group of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chickadees, and Kinglets. We drove a little farther down and parked. As soon as we got out we heard a few Chickadees doing their alarm call. We went over to the spot and started scanning birds for the Parula. In this flock there were 2 Mountain Chickadees, Numerous Black-capped, a few American Robin, 5 Red-breasted Nuthatch, and 8 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, but no warblers. Also a Northern Flicker flew over and landed in a pine above.

American Robin

Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

 By then we were joined by two other birders that were also looking for the Parula. We split up and searched the cemetery. Through the rest of the searching we found a few more Flickers, Nuthatches, Rock Doves, and an American Kestrel.

I was just about to give up when I heard a whistle from one of the other two birders we had met up with. I hurried over and sure enough the Parula was right there. Bright yellow chest and throat, two white wing bars, and a grayish-blue head. This was a Utah first for me having seen a few in other states before. If accepted, this will be the 19th record for Utah. A very pretty bird and well worth the time.  (see pictures below)

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

Northern Parula

 After watching the Parula, I noticed a bird up in a tall pine. I put my binoculars up and to my surprise I saw a pair of Evening Grosbeaks. This is only the second group of Evening Grosbeaks I have seen this year. They're pretty uncommon in Utah and their numbers are steadily declining. (Also a very pretty bird)

Evening Grosbeak Pair

Female Red Crossbill

 Another highlight from the same area was a flock of 12-15 Red Crossbills. These flew in just after we lost the Parula. They stayed out for a while providing great views before flying off.

 While heading back to the car we heard a flock of Waxwings. We looked up and sure enough about 25 Waxwings were flying over. I put my binoculars up and was sure glad I did. There were at least 3 Bohemian Waxwings with the flock of Cedars. This was another first of year for me, the 2nd of the day.

All in all it was a great day at the cemetery with a Utah first.

Highlights:

• Red Crossbills
• Evening Grosbeaks
• Mountain Chickadee
• Bohemian Waxwings
• *Northern Parula*