Utah: Migrating waterfowl

4.17.13   We again visited the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to view the species that have moved in since the Tundra swans moved on.  The temperature was more wintery than spring-like, and a strong wind made the water choppy and seemingly presented a challenge to some of the birds in their attempt to become airborne.   Coots were present in great numbers, along with numerous Northern Shovelers, 4 species of Grebes and many other shorebirds.  We cautiously drove through a couple flocks of tree swallows that were like swarming mosquitoes.  Of particular interest to me - and new-for-me were the American Avocets on their long, slender bluish legs, rust-colored head and neck, and long curved bill.  Also new for me were the Yellow-headed Blackbirds.  A few of the flocks also contained their relatives, the Red-winged Blackbirds.  Check out their call on the Cornell bird site - I think you will agree that if your ear is tuned to the familiar Red-wing, it would be a stretch think this sound is that of a Blackbird!   American white pelicans were there in good numbers.  By far the largest birds at the refuge, we referred to them as "cruise ships".  In spring breeding season, their culmen (bill) becomes a bright red-orange color and a "keel", fibrous growth - or sometimes two- is present.  Killdeer and Lesser Yellow-legs shared a mud flat; the classic black-and-white garb of the Bufflehead really stood out in the late day light.  

4-17
A Dummerston Landing (the extreme NE corner of town) Common Dandelions, Gill-o'er-the-Ground and a Cress (perhaps Mouse-Ear Cress?) were all in flower.
And this caterpillar tentatively identified as that of a Virgin Tiger Moth - a close relative of the Isabella Moth with its familiar Woolly Bear caterpillar - was crossing Carpenter Rd.
John

Dummerston Conservation members im Marlboro

Several of us joined Alcott Smith into a journey into Marlboro woods.  We saw lots of signs of bears.  We saw the pawing of white pine trees and just the general disturbance they caused.  There were made by 3 cubs.  Imagine them "playing"  in the woods.

4-16
This morning I watched an otter eating fish on the rotten ice still covering 60 to 70 % of Sunset Lake. Meanwhile, in the open water along the north shore of the lake a single loon also took advantage of the fish supply.
John

4-15
One Round-leaved Yellow Violet graced the side of Black Mountain Road this afternoon.
Painted Turtles were basking on sun-bathed logs and rocks.
And, high overhead, Broad-winged Hawks that had wintered in Central and South America wafted back into their summer territories.
John

4-14
Near the Brattleboro end of the RR track bike path a few Dutchman's Breeches were open.
On edges along the trail, Early Saxifrage was flowering. And in one sheltered micro-habitat a few Trout-lilies were poised to open.
John

4-13
Daphne, a common garden shrub, was opening a few flowers this morning.
John

Utah - early flowers    4.13.13   On a Sierra Club-sponsored hike to Elephant Rock, an enormous light-gray erratic in the hills above Bountiful, UT, spring ephemerals are starting to open on the sunny, exposed side of the switchbacks.  Well-worn snow patches remained in more sheltered areas of the trail which rises from 4800 to 5900 feet.  Familiar Spring Beauties of a deep shade of pink; 3/4 inch  bell-shaped Yellow Fritillary (Yellowbells) flowers hanging from 5-inch stems; buds of Oregon Grape;  and Glacier Lilies with their pair of green leaves were welcome sights.   Yellowbells age from yellow to reddish-orange.   
          This trail is intersected by a great scar caused by the construction of a natural gas pipeline that transects Utah, carrying fuel to the southwest.  I was reminded of the proposal to put such a pipeline through Vermont.  Pictured, there is a 15-year-old pipeline at the right which was promised to be returned to its natural state, and the newer, wider pipeline which has been allowed in spite of the lack of evident follow-through with old promises. 

4-12
On a cool north slope where traces of old snowpack lingered and hemlock provided some shelter from today's weather, I was seeing Hermit Thrushes this morning. I flushed out at least a dozen during my walk.
After posturing and strutting around my yard, these two tom turkeys had a brief violent battle. I could see no clear victor, but one left on the run with the other in hot pursuit.
And, I jumped the first pair of wood ducks I've seen this year out of a half frozen swamp during my morning ramble.
John

4-10
This afternoon's thunderstorm triggered the "Big Night" for our nearest vernal pool. Tons of salamanders, peepers, wood frogs, etc.
John

vernal pool

Somewhere between 100 to 200 wood frogs in the vernal pool on the East-West Road (close to Black Mountain Road).  Unbelievable sound.  We helped cross 10 salamanders, and 10 wood frogs.  Others died while we watched, and couldn't stop the on coming cars.  Then in the distance we saw four pairs of big white eyes on the land  and then in the water.  The raccoons were feasting. 

4-10
The first Mayflowers I've seen this year were flowering along Camp Arden Rd. this morning.
On a nearby bit of dead wood, this fungus - perhaps Cinnabar-red polypore - put on a much more colorful show.
John

Utah spring sightings

4.09.13    The reward for paying a visit to the local reservoir at sunset was this brilliantly colored male Cinnamon teal that was keeping company with a pair of mallards.  These ducks summer in this area.  Today three Spotted Towhees scratched in the wood chips under the bird feeder and some shrubs in the back yard.  I spotted an American Kestrel zooming through at least 3-4 times; the Towhees avoided becoming lunch meat by never straying from the cover of the shrubs.   Yesterday the yard had a fresh cover of snow.  

4-9
Northern Flickers are back, as are White-Throated Sparrows and Palm Warblers.
In a nearby vernal pool, Woodfrogs were in a wildly vocal mating frenzy despite rotting ice covering the greater part of the pool's surface.
And Bloodroot is in flower along Green Mountain Camp Rd.
John

A sudden rain shower this afternoon around 5:30 created the perfect conditions for a rainbow.

4-7
This morning at my house a Fox Sparrow was pecking around in the shrubbery. These large colorful sparrows are only seen in Vermont during spring and fall migrations.

And, despite below freezing morning temperatures and a bit of sleet, a few trillium were poised to open.  This was just over the town line in Brattleboro.

John

I walked in my  woods to my quartz rock, large enough to sit on.  When I returned I found a deer tick crawling on my hand.  So....be careful as you explore the woods. 

4-5
Along Green Mountain Camp Road there were swarms of the moth with the intriguing common name of "The INfant". This smallish (1 1/4 inch) day flying moth has bright orange flash points on its hind wings. Its forewings are mostly gray. These moths are devilishly elusive and I've never managed to get a picture of one.
John

4-5
A few Hepaticas are starting to lift their faces to the sun.

Despite being heavily browsed by winter-starved deer, Myrtle is managing to open a few flowers.

High overhead a Northern Harrier (AKA Marsh Hawk) worked its way north.

     A tiny (3/8 inch) pollen dusted bee posed for a picture, proving beyond any doubt that pollinators are finding work!

Half a dozen Mourning Cloak butterflies flitted along the roadsides near my house today.

John

4-4
The first Phoebe I've seen this spring stopped briefly in my yard this morning. Perching in the top of a Black Locust tree, he flicked his tail a few times, scanned the area for a few seconds and then headed on north.
John

Caressed beech tree

This beech tree is on the property of Walker Farm.  It is incredibly smoothed bark tree, with an unusual adornment.  Don't know quite what it is, and I have asked the Insect and Disease Specialist for more information.  But whatever it is, I think it's awesome.

4-3
One Chipping Sparrow has found its way north, and is feeding in my neighborhood with flocks of juncoes and Song Sparrows.

4-1
Among the birds moving north today was a Tree Swallow. According to my journal entries, over the last ten years I've first seen returning tree swallows as early as 3-27 and as late as 4-13. The average tree swallow return-by date for those ten years was 4-3.
John

Ann's sightings

I'm on Hague Road. And today, April 1 we have two female brown-headed cowbirds at the feeder - a first. Also, a pair of downy woodpeckers have been regulars for about a month. And recently Song Sparrows and American Goldfinshes. Regulars since January have been Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Common Redpoll Finches and Slate-colored Juncos.

Ann  (Dummerston, Resident)