Utah RBA, January 6, 2008

* Utah Rare Bird Alert
* Statewide
* January 6, 2008
* UTAH0801.06

Number: 801-538-4730
E-mail: utah.rba@gmail.com
Compiler: Tim Avery

- Transcript

This is the Utah Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 12:26 p.m.

Species included in this report:

**WESTERN GULL (Salt Lake)
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Salt Lake)
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Salt Lake)
Mew Gull (Salt Lake)
Red-shouldered Hawk (Weber)
Snow Bunting (Box Elder)
Lapland Longspur (Box Elder)
Thayer's Gull (Salt Lake)
Bohemian Waxwing (Salt Lake, Cache)
Dunlin (Utah)
White-winged Crossbill (Summit)


To report a RARE BIRD, please send an email to utah.rba@gmail.com. Note, you DO NOT need to send an email if you posted to either BIRDNET or BIRDTALK. Please include your name, phone number/email, detailed directions and dates for all sightings. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name and identify the county of the sighting. You can also report via phone at 801-538-4730, please include information listed above.

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Box Elder County:
-- A flock of ~50 SNOW BUNTING with several LAPLAND LONGSPUR mixed in were reported at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge near Brigham City, on January 3rd, by Betsy Beneke. The birds were on the north leg of the auto tour loop, at about 14.5 miles from the Education Center onto the refuge.

Cache County:
-- BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue in large numbers throughout the Logan area.

Salt Lake County:
-- An adult WESTERN GULL was reported at Lee Kay Ponds on December 28th by Tim Avery and has been seen on several occasions since by others. This very well may be the same bird that wintered at this location in 2006-07.

-- Up to four (4) LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been reported at Lee Kay Ponds. On December 28th Tim Avery saw 2 adults, 1 third winter, and 1 first winter bird, which have all been seen since as recently as January 5th.

-- Both a juvenile and 2nd winter GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL have been reported from Lee Kay Ponds as recently as January 5th.

-- As many as three (3) MEW GULLS have been reported at Lee Kay Ponds. Tim Avery reported 2 adults on December 28th and a 1st winter bird on January 5th.

-- As many as 12 THAYER'S GULL have been reported at Lee Kay Ponds as recently as January 5th.

-- A flock of ~70 BOHEMIAN WAXWING were reported near Foothill Drive and Parley's Way in Salt Lake City, on January 4th by Tim Avery.

Summit County:
-- A male WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL has been visiting a feeder in Park City since December 11th. Unfortunately the owners do not wish to have birders visit.

Utah County:
-- A DUNLIN was reported along the Jordan River near Lehi, during the Jordan River CBC but has not been seen since.

Weber County:
-- The RED-SHOULDERED HAWK continues to be seen at the Ogden Nature Center and was most recently reported on January 3rd by Jack Rensel.


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Upcoming Birding Events:

Jan 9th (Wed): Wasatch Audubon Society Bird Walk - Riverdale Trail - Meet at 8:30 at McDonald’s (Riverdale Rd. & 900 W) for breakfast or meet at 9:00 at trip start: From Riverdale Rd., S. on 700W for one block, left on 4600S to parking lot at end of street.

Jan 9th (Wed): Utah County Birders Meeting - Ned Hill will be reporting on his trip to South Africa and Botswana. Meet at 7:00 PM in the Bean Museum Auditorium on the BYU Campus.

Jan 12th (Sat): Utah County Birders Field Trip - Jordan River Parkway, Utah County - 9:00 to noon - We will look for 8 species of bird. Meet at 9:00 A.M. at the American Fork Main Street Park & Ride (West off I-15 exit 278).

Jan 15th (Tue): Wasatch Audubon Society Meeting - At our May 2005 meeting, Dennis Shirley told us about his Big Year Birding Record. It was impressive! However, a New Big Year Birding Record has been achieved by Tim Avery that will be described at our January meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear about an amazing birding feat accomplished during 2007. 7:00 p.m. at the Ogden Nature Center (966 W 12th).

Jan 16th (Wed): Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - 10:00 a.m., Dr. John Cavitt, Ornithology Professor from Weber State University, will be here at Bear River'swildlife education center to give a presentation, "Nesting Shorebird Productivity." Dr. Cavitt and students have been doing work on the Refuge, and in the area, the last several years, looking at nest success and predation problems of American avocet, black-necked stilt, snowy plover and long-billed curlew. He will talk about their findings. You are all invited to attend and hear John speak. I hope to see many of you for John's presentation, which is being sponsored by Refuge staff.

Jan 16th (Wed): Wasatch Audubon Society Bird Walk - Ogden Nature Center - Meet at 8:15 at The Village Inn (322 12th) for breakfast, or meet at the Nature Center at 9:00 for the walk.

Jan 19th (Sat): Wasatch Audubon Society Field Trip - Raptor Trip - Blue Creek Valley - Meet at Harmon’s (2nd St.) at 8:00 am to car pool. Bring a lunch.

Jan 23rd (Wed): Wasatch Audubon Society Bird Walk - Willard Bay - Meet at 8:30 at McDonald’s (1838 W 2700N, Farr West – east of I-15 exit #349) for breakfast, or meet there at 9:00 to carpool.

Jan 25th - 27th (Fri - Sun): ST. George Winter Bird Festival - Click here for Details.

Jan 30th (Wed): Wasatch Audubon Society Bird Walk - Ogden River Parkway - Meet at 8:15 at Dylan’s (12th & Monroe) for breakfast, or meet at 9:00 at the MTC Park on the Ogden River off Monroe.

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Abbreviations:
AIC - Antelope Island Causeway
WMA - Wildlife Management Area
NWR - National Wildlife Refuge
GSL - Great Salt Lake
GSLA - Great Salt Lake Audubon
UCB - Utah County Birders
SP - State Park
NP - National Park
MM - Mile Marker

- End Transcript

Thank you and good birding

Tim Avery
Salt Lake City, Utah