Provo River Delta Field Trip

Field Trip Recap • July 11, 2025

Quest Highlights

Fuzzy baby American Coots paddling through the marsh
A large stick nest tucked high in the cottonwood.
Forster's (little) & Caspian (big) Terns hunting side by side
A patient few witnessed an Eastern Kingbird swoop down and snatch a dragonfly.

Species Count

eBird Checklists

Provo River Delta

Locations

Provo River Delta

Habitat: wetland • marsh • lake

Trip Conditions

Jul 11, 2025

Sunny • 90°F • Light Breeze

Table of Contents

Quest Log
Do This Field Trip Yourself
📷 Trip Photo Gallery

Quest Log

The very first FeatherQuest field trip began at 4:00 PM under clear skies and a welcome lakeshore breeze. Over 25 curious adventurers—kids, parents, and even a few seasoned seniors—gathered with field guides in hand, ready to explore.

The group quickly bonded over fuzzy baby coots swimming among the reeds and the sudden discovery of a large stick nest tucked high in the cottonwoods. Laughter and questions echoed along the trail as we spotted Caspian and Forster’s Terns soaring above the lakeshore.

Midway through the walk, we had a close encounter with a Great Blue Heron and caught sight of a juvenile Bullock’s Oriole tucked in the canopy. And for those who lingered a little longer, the Eastern Kingbird made a dramatic appearance—swooping down to snatch a dragonfly in full view, while a California Quail perched nearby as if to enjoy the show. A perfect ending to a memorable first quest.

Do This Field Trip Yourself

Download the self-guided field trip PDF to explore the Provo River Delta on your own: Provo River Delta Field Trip Guide (PDF)

Trip Photo Gallery

American Coot chick — all fluff, no fear — American Coot (Baby) All fluff, no fear

American Coot chick — tiny legs, big confidence — American Coot (Baby) Tiny legs, big confidence

Adult American Coot keeping an eye on the kids — American Coot (Adult) Keeping an eye on the kids

Stick nest high in a cottonwood — a hidden home — Stick Nest in Cottonwood A hidden home in the cottonwood

Male Red-winged Blackbird claiming the marsh — Red-winged Blackbird (Male) Claiming the marsh

Female Red-winged Blackbird blending into the reeds — Red-winged Blackbird (Female) Blending into the reeds

Juvenile Bullock’s Oriole — still figuring things out — Bullock’s Oriole (Juvenile) Still figuring things out

Great Blue Heron — patience perfected — Great Blue Heron Patience perfected

Great-tailed Grackle — impossible to ignore — Great-tailed Grackle Impossible to ignore

American White Pelican gliding — effortless — American White Pelican Effortless glide

Killdeer — always on alert — Killdeer Always on alert

Western Kingbird watching the trail — Western Kingbird Watching the trail

Forster’s and Caspian Terns — same plan, different sizes — Forster’s & Caspian Terns Same plan, different sizes

Eastern Kingbird — worth the wait — Eastern Kingbird Worth the wait

California Quail — a surprise guest — California Quail A surprise guest

Eastern Kingbird with dragonfly — dinner secured — Eastern Kingbird Dinner secured