A Year in the Wasatch Hollow Nature Preserve and Open Space (from Winter Solstice 2019 through Fall Equinox 2020

This represents an ongoing journal of observations in the Wasatch Hollow Nature Preserve and Open Space. I begin in the Winter Solstice "season" of 2019 (officially December 21, 2019 at 9:19 pm - Mountain Time) in Salt Lake City, UT. In terms of daylight, this day is 5 hours, 51 minutes shorter than on June Solstice. I start this journal with the weekend preceding the official Solstice (December 14-15, 2019) to set the stage for the turning of the seasons in this nature preserve.

The angle of the sun is now in a low arch over the southern sky. The sun rises at 7:44 am (121 degrees ESE) and sets at 5:00 pm (239 degrees WSW) - December, 15, 2019. Yesterday (Dec. 14) the weather was mostly rain with snow mix, and then snow showers. Today (Dec. 15) - the weather will be: Mostly cloudy skies with a few snow showers this afternoon. High 28F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 30%.

Observations: After a light snowfall, I was one of the first that morning to walk into the "open space" section of the nature preserve where no dogs are allowed, but in the past I have seen dogs in the protected area (no dogs allowed) both off and on leash. And there are plenty of dog tracks in the mud and snow to indicate that dog owners continue to defy the city ordinance. All I can do is try to educate about the protected areas, and in my own attempt at humor, I pretend the dog tracks are evidence of Canis lupis and not Canis familiaris in the area - but this is Wasatch Hollow in urban SLC, not Yellowstone National Park.

I see one (1) Fox Squirrel in the Nature Preserve (near the entry gate) in one of the tall Willow Trees along Emigration Creek. I have seen at least 6 different Fox Squirrels in this area (thus on one walk in the Fall - I observed 6 different Fox Squirrels) and as an invasive species (and new to the area) - they have "taken over" the habitat in this geographic area. It is a reward to walk back into the open space, as I can hear Emigration Creek running "high" due to the volume of rain in the past 24 hours, and as I approach the natural spring ("the pond"), it is frozen over and the cattails are brown and pushed over due to the weight of snow and ice. The trail follows the fence line and then takes a sharp right hand turn - to follow the creek. I enter into the open field area which is filled with Chicory plants [Common chicory, Cichorium intybus] and a few Elm trees and Hawthorn trees. This open field area is a favorite site for Finches and Juncos. But today the open field is snow covered and the Chicory plants are bent over with the weight of snow and ice. I do not see or hear any birds in the area (yet) - just the crunch of snow underfoot. I am wearing outer gear with camo design (late fall/early winter) and knee ("ditch") boots. I carry Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars and I have a Hawk call. In this area (usually at the top of the tall Elm trees on the perimeter) there are both Cooper's Hawks and a Red-Tailed Hawk to be seen. But in this season, I have only (lately) seen the one Red Tailed Hawk which usually shows up here between 11:00am and 2:00 pm - this is a regular pattern for this Hawk which has a "notch" in it's right wing (a few feathers are missing). It is a magnificent bird, although I like the Cooper's Hawk the best - given their tenacity to hunt in this area - and they have a nest or two in this area.

I drop down the "stairs" (a side path to the creek) to Emigration Creek and the water is running high and strong. Lots of rain (and snow mix) last few days (see images). Then I make my way to the trail and the back portion of the open space (heading north) and come across tracks in the snow - which I identify as squirrel tracks. I deduce these are tracks of the Fox Squirrel - given their abundance in this area and the tracks are noted as 4 front/5 back (toes) and so this squirrel jumped on the fence -then landed down in the snow covered trail and bounded up to the south side of the space (other hill side) - [see images].

Again, really quiet today - not much moving around. I observe one (1) Chickadee in the back loop in scrub oaks. I head back to the trailhead and will return on Sunday Dec. 15, 2019.

Sunday - Dec. 15, 2019: High of 31 degrees today. Entered Nature Preserve and Open Space around 1:30pm. Observed several Fox Squirrels, 7 Northern Flickers, 20 Juncos, several Finches, 4 Mourning Doves, 1 Downy Woodpecker, and 6 Chickadees. Even though it was a colder than yesterday, it appears that the best viewing time in the Solstice season, is between 11:00am and 2:30pm. Many birds were out and active. I have never seen so many Northern Flickers together in this area - on one walk. I observed an American Red Squirrel and a Red-Tail Hawk - very high in the sky - above the open space. One of the best days for observations of wildlife in the Solstice season - thus far.

הועלה ב-דצמבר 15, 2019 04:29 אחה"צ על ידי scottdwright