Starting a "Big Year" on January 1st doesn't coincide with the schedules of the subject of interest. Birds tend to migrate to this area roughly from March-May and then leave beginning in late July. I took a look at "First Arrivals" as reported to eBird during the period of 2004-2011. 233 species had been reported as "arriving" in the state by the end of February. Take away those found in Washington County, and the number still exceeds 200. But a closer look at the data reveals a few stragglers and wayward migrants in the mix. Cinnamon Teal in January? Not normal, it and the Yellow-headed Blackbird and Bullock's Oriole have to be considered stragglers. On the other hand, a number of migrants wintering around the Great Salt Lake help to bump up the numbers in the early part of the year. Tundra Swan, Bald Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk are present in winter but gone by the time the neo-tropical group begins to arrive in April. Vertical migrants like Juncos are already present in the valley. Hoping to see a Townsend Solitaire and possibly a Stellar's Jay before the month is out. If only we got a little bit of snow to help them on there way.
Utah First Arrivals 2004-2011
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