What an incredible time we had during our semi-annual birding adventure with the infamous Merrill Webb on Saturday, September 14, 2013. This event was even better than many other events we have had in the past because WE SAW A GREAT HORNED OWL!!! We visited the beautiful state park Antelope Island and saw thousands and thousands of birds. We even saw pronghorns, coyotes, and bison. What made the trip even more fun and adventurous was the on and off rain. True birders bird rain or shine and the group we had with us were true birders indeed. Mr. Webb brought his enthusiasm for the birds and it was truly contagious. For those of you who weren't able to attend, keep your eyes peeled for our next birding adventure in the winter.
Michael Silva, museum educator
Here is a list of the different species of birds we saw on our trip:
1. Eared Grebe
2. White-faced Ibis
3. Northern Harrier
4. Sandhill Crane
5. Killdeer
6. American Avocet
7. Willet
8. Long-billed Curlew
9. Red-necked Phalarope
10. Franklin's Gull
11. Ring-billed Gull
12. California Gull
13. Caspian Tern
14. Great Horned Owl
15. Burrowing Owl
16. Northern Flicker
17. Willow Flycatcher
18. Hammond's Flycatcher
19. Northern Shrike
20. Cassin's Vireo (Extremely rare in Utah)
21. Warbling Vireo
22. Black-billed Magpie
23. Common Raven
24. Barn Swallow
25. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
26. Wilson's Warbler
27. Western Tanager
28. Green-tailed Towhee
29. Spotted Towhee
30. White-crowned Sparrow
31. Red-winged Blackbird
32. Western Meadowlark
THAT'S 32 SPECIES OF BIRDS!!!