Antelope Island Birding

Chukar

I finally got out to Antelope Island yesterday for the first time this year. The Great Salt Lake has risen quite a bit, much of the mud flats are now covered and the lake comes up to most of the Causeway.

On the Causeway I saw California, and Franklin's Gull, White-faced Ibis, Killdeer, and Swallows.

The Chukar above was sitting on a rock at the entrance of the Visitors Center and was putting on quite a show.

I suspect that this Doe Pronghorn may have had a fawn in the area close by because she would not leave the area.

Meadow Larks were everywhere and singing their hearts out.

There were quit a few Lark Sparrows around the Visitors Center

Horned Larks were running along the road out to the Ranch. this one was kind enough to pose for me

I heard a curious call from the sagebrush and had to get out to investigate. There were several Willets sitting in the sage\brush calling to each other.

This Red-tail Hawk was hunting along the road to the ranch.

This Baby Great Horned Owl was keeping a close eye on me as I moved around it never stopped watching me

Mama was just a few feet above in the tree

This Western Wood Peewee is the first one I have ever photographed and it was quite cooperative

Western Wood Peewee

Another first is this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher though I have seen them many times it is the first time I was able to photograph one.

Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere at the ranch

There were also many Warbling Vireos 

Yellow Warblers were also abundant

This Barn Owl was terrorizing all the Passerines

I didn't see many Bison, I saw this small group on my way back to the causeway from the ranch

Here is a list of the birds seen 45 species:
Eared Grebe
White-faced Ibis
Mallard
Gadwall
Northern Harrier
Swainson's Hawk
American Kestrel
Chukar
California Quail
Killdeer
Willet
Franklin's Gull
California Gull
Mourning Dove
Barn Owl
Great Horned Owl
Western Wood Peewee
Western Kingbird
Willow Flycatcher
Empid Flycatchers
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-billed Magpie
Common Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Sage Thrasher
Loggerhead Shrike
European Starling
Warbling Vireo
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Lark Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Bullock's Oriole
Brown-headed Cowbird