Nature Experienceship - Birding with Merrill Webb

Last Saturday, April 14, 2012, we saw almost 40 species of birds on our Nature Experienceship with Mr. Webb. Out near Utah Lake we watched birds and learned some of the characteristics that help to differentiate between species, called a ‘field mark.’ Mr. Webb was quick to find all sorts of birds by their calls and markings. We observed Sandhill Cranes dancing and learned that Snipe’s do actually exist. We finished off the trip with a Mr. Webb tradition, naming everyone’s favorite bird seen that day.


We saw the following birds:
American Wigeon
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Redhead
Clark's Grebe
Western Grebe
American White Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Snowy Egret
White-faced Ibis
Osprey
Northern Harrier
American Kestrel
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
American Avocet
Black-necked Stilt
Willet
Wilson's Snipe
California Gull
Caspian Tern
Franklin's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
American Robin
European Starling
American Pipit
White-crowned Sparrow
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird


Paige Bryson, Museum Educator