All posts by Dawn Holzer

Mar 22, Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Wellsville Reservoir

Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Trapper Park and the Logan River Icon Trail:

American Wigeon Mareca americana
Courtesy US FWS, Valerie Fellows, Photographer
One of the species that may be seen
Saturday March 22, 2025
Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Wellsville Reservoir.

 

Trip Report
Fourteen people joined us at Wellsville Reservoir on Saturday morning. The weather was overcast with a temperature of around 40 degrees and a little wind, which dissipated as we got away from the north end of the lake. Several people had caravaned from the Hyrum Senior Center and had never been birding before. It was great to see them watching American Coots and learning that they are not ducks, but more closely related to cranes and rails. Wild Turkeys were one of the highlights seen walking around town on the way in. We also saw Ring-necked Ducks, Redheads and one of the first female Red-winged Blackbirds of the season. We were treated to songs of the Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos and a Great-tailed Grackle’s crazy electronic vocalizations. We also noted multiple Bullock’s Oriole nests from previous seasons that appeared to be made entirely out of fishing line. See Scott Erickson’s eBird checklist for all 21 species noted.

***** Future Events & Trip Reports *****

January 25 – First Dam and USU Water Lab
February 22 – Trapper Park and Logan River Icon Trail
March 22 – Wellsville Reservoir
April 12 – Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa
May 17 – Third Dam/Spring Hollow
June 21 – Bud Phelps Wildlife Management Area
July 19 – Tony Grove
August 23 – Amalga Barrens
September 27 – Benson Marina and Railroad Trail
October 25 – King Nature Park and Green Canyon
November 22 – Hyrum Reservoir and State Park
December 6 – Lundstrom Park Trail

***** Background, First Dam *****

eBird:
Birdlist for Wellsville Reservoir: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L805147/bird-list
Recent Checklists for Wellsville Reservoir: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L805147/recent-checklists
Media Images for Wellsville Reservoir: https://media.ebird.org/catalog?regionCode=L805147

Signed waivers required for all participants. Complete form, print results and bring printed waiver to meeting point.

Apr 12, Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Sue’s Pond – Logan Wetlands

Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa:

Willet (Tringa semipalmata) Courtesy US FWS, Lee Karney, Photographer
One of the species that may be seen
Saturday April 12, 2025
Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa.

 

Sue's Pond & Shorebird Playa - Logan River Wetlands Birding with Bridgerland Audubon Society April 12, 2025, 8:00 am Meet at the SW Corner of Smith's Marketplace Parking Lot

Sue’s Pond & Shorebird Playa – Logan River Wetlands
Birding with Bridgerland Audubon Society
April 12, 2025, 8:00 am
Meet at the SW Corner of Smith’s Marketplace Parking Lot

Saturday April 12, 2025. Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa.

Trip Report:
About 23 people met at the Sue’s Ponds Playa and Wetlands site just west of the old landfill site. We had perfect early spring weather with comfortable temperatures, no wind and no mosquitoes yet. Plenty of harmless midges though (great bird food). We had some brand new birders, beginners and seasoned pros attending once again. About 35 species were seen including a wide assortment of ducks, first of the year Black-necked Stilts and lots of flashy, noisy male Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Other early migrants included Sandhill Cranes, American White Pelicans and American Avocets. A good time was had by all. One new birder even proclaimed that they are “hooked, and that this is worth getting up early for”!

***** Future Events & Trip Reports *****

January 25 – First Dam and USU Water Lab
February 22 – Trapper Park and Logan River Icon Trail
March 22 – Wellsville Reservoir
April 12 – Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa
May 17 – Third Dam/Spring Hollow
June 21 – Bud Phelps Wildlife Management Area
July 19 – Tony Grove
August 23 – Amalga Barrens
September 27 – Benson Marina and Railroad Trail
October 25 – King Nature Park and Green Canyon
November 22 – Hyrum Reservoir and State Park
December 6 – Lundstrom Park Trail

Background, Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa

eBird:
Birdlist for Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L586105/bird-list
Recent Checklists for Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L586105/recent-checklists
Media Images for Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa: https://media.ebird.org/catalog?regionCode=L586105

Signed waivers required for all participants. Complete form, print results and bring printed waiver to meeting point.

Sep 27 – Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at Benson Marina and Railroad Trail

Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the Benson Marina and Railroad Trail:

Osprey
Courtesy & Copyright Molly Orton
Cache Valley Wild Bird Photo Contest 2021
One of the species that may be seen
Saturday September 27, 2025
Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the Benson Marina and Railroad Trail.

 
September 27, 2025 Trip Report

Fourteen people of mixed ages and experience joined us at the Benson Marina for the September BAS trip. We parked at the marina and walked across the cement bridge finding American White Pelicans, Western and Clark’s Grebes and one of the resident Great Horned Owls along the way. We walked about a mile to the old railroad bridge across the reservoir before returning the same way that we came. Forster’s Terns were still plunge diving, Pied-Billed Grebes submerging and White-crowned Sparrows singing. A total of 26 species were found. Some other highlights include Northern Harrier and American Kestrels.

Trip leader Dawn Holzer (dawnholzer80@gmail.com, 435-799-1991)

***** Future Events & Trip Reports *****

January 25 – First Dam and USU Water Lab
February 22 – Trapper Park and Logan River Icon Trail
March 22 – Wellsville Reservoir
April 12 – Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa
May 17 – Third Dam/Spring Hollow
June 21 – Bud Phelps Wildlife Management Area
July 19 – Tony Grove
August 23 – Amalga Barrens
September 27 – Benson Marina and Railroad Trail
October 25 – King Nature Park and Green Canyon
November 22 – Hyrum Reservoir and State Park
December 6 – Lundstrom Park Trail

***** Background, the Benson Marina and Railroad Trail *****

eBird:
Birdlist for the Benson Marina: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L165064/bird-list
Recent Checklists for the Benson Marina and Railroad Trail: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L165064/recent-checklists
Media Images for the Benson Marina and Railroad Trail: https://media.ebird.org/catalog?regionCode=L165064

Birdlist for the the Railroad Trail at Benson Marina: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1560543/bird-list
Recent Checklists for the Benson Marina and Railroad Trail: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1560543/recent-checklists
Media Images for the Benson Marina and Railroad Trail: https://media.ebird.org/catalog?regionCode=L1560543

Signed waivers required for all participants. Complete form, print results and bring printed waiver to meeting point.

Oct 25, Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the King Nature Park and Green Canyon

Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the Amalga Barrens:

Golden Eagle
Courtesy & Copyright Chris W Mortensen
Cache Valley Wild Bird Photo Contest 2021
One of the species that may be seen
Saturday October 25, 2025
Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the Amalga Barrens.

King Nature Park & Green Canyon October 25, 8 am Meet at Smiths Marketplace SW Corner 750 N Main Street

King Nature Park & Green Canyon
October 25, 8 am
Meet at Smiths Marketplace SW Corner
750 N Main Street

Meet at the southwest corner of the Smith’s Marketplace parking lot (750 N. Main Street) at 8 AM for carpooling to our destination. We will be walking along a good trail on fairly flat ground for about 1 mile. The trail winds through a small juniper forest at the mouth of Green Canyon in North Logan. Birds are pretty quiet this time of year, but magpies, sparrows, kinglets, chickadees and hawks are likely. Golden eagle, Juniper titmouse and Golden-crowned kinglets are possible. Dress warmly as the sun will not be above the ridge yet in the morning. We will be back in town by 10 AM.

If driving yourself plan to meet us at the King Nature parking lot at the end of the paved road 1900 North (Green Canyon Drive).

Trip leader Dawn Holzer (dawnholzer80@gmail.com, 435-799-1991)

***** Future Events & Trip Reports *****

January 25 – First Dam and USU Water Lab
February 22 – Trapper Park and Logan River Icon Trail
March 22 – Wellsville Reservoir
April 12 – Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa
May 17 – Third Dam/Spring Hollow
June 21 – Bud Phelps Wildlife Management Area
July 19 – Tony Grove
August 23 – Amalga Barrens
September 27 – Benson Marina and Railroad Trail
October 25 – King Nature Park and Green Canyon
November 22 – Hyrum Reservoir and State Park
December 6 – Lundstrom Park Trail

***** Background, the King Nature Park and Green Canyon *****

eBird:
Birdlist for the King Nature Park: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1178461/bird-list
Recent Checklists for the King Nature Park and Green Canyon: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1178461/recent-checklists
Media Images for the King Nature Park and Green Canyon: https://media.ebird.org/catalog?regionCode=L1178461

Birdlist for Green Canyon: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L617866/bird-list
Recent Checklists for the King Nature Park and Green Canyon: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L617866/recent-checklists
Media Images for the King Nature Park and Green Canyon: https://media.ebird.org/catalog?regionCode=L617866

Signed waivers required for all participants. Complete form, print results and bring printed waiver to meeting point.

Nov 22, Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the Hyrum Reservoir and State Park

Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the Hyrum Reservoir and State Park:

Cinnamon Teal Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge 05-11-2020
Courtesy & Copyright Chris Crook
Cache Valley Wild Bird Photo Contest 2021
One of the species that may be seen
Saturday November 22, 2025
Birding with Bridgerland Audubon at the Hyrum Reservoir and State Park.

 

Birds at Hyrum Reservoir and State Park include Cache Valley indigenous birds and those that migrate to or through Cache Valley. Sightings for this time of year include Merlin, White-winged Scoter, Tundra Swan, Blue-winged Teal, and Hooded Merganser.

Meet at the southwest corner of the Smith’s Marketplace (750 North Main Street, Logan) parking lot at 8:00 AM to carpool to our destination from there. We will plan to return around 10:00 AM.
Trip leader Dawn Holzer (dawnholzer80@gmail.com, 435-799-1991)

***** Future Events & Trip Reports *****

January 25 – First Dam and USU Water Lab
February 22 – Trapper Park and Logan River Icon Trail
March 22 – Wellsville Reservoir
April 12 – Sue’s Pond – Logan River Wetlands and Shorebird Playa
May 17 – Third Dam/Spring Hollow
June 21 – Bud Phelps Wildlife Management Area
July 19 – Tony Grove
August 23 – Amalga Barrens
September 27 – Benson Marina and Railroad Trail
October 25 – King Nature Park and Green Canyon
November 22 – Hyrum Reservoir and State Park
December 6 – Lundstrom Park Trail

***** Background, the Hyrum Reservoir and State Park *****

eBird:
Birdlist for the Hyrum Reservoir and State Park: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L168383/bird-list
Recent Checklists for the Hyrum Reservoir and State Park: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L168383/recent-checklists
Media Images for the Hyrum Reservoir and State Park: https://media.ebird.org/catalog?regionCode=L168383

Signed waivers required for all participants. Complete form, print results and bring printed waiver to meeting point.