Adventures
in
the Field
 Field Trip to Grafton, Springdale November 12, 2011 by Marilyn Davis When Cottonwoods turn yellow, you know it’s time to go ‘up river’. Yellow Cottonwoods herald in a changing of the seasons. The open fields and large trees of Grafton were full of birds. Even though this is known as a ‘ghost town’, it was filled with birds and people. There were people cleaning up property, people driving around, and the birder people. It was a beautiful day. First there was a cool breeze, but eventually we had to take off our jackets and enjoy the warm sunshine. The birds not stopping at Grafton came on to Springdale. In Springdale we saw several species in one tree, waves of birds, waterfowl, perching birds, and raptors flying overhead. After finding 32 species we stopped for lunch with some of the nicest people I know, and then went own our way home. Wish you were there. Maybe next time. Birds seen: Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, American Coot, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Common Raven, Juniper Titmouse, Rock Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Junco. Below are a few of the photos from our trip (taken by Marilyn Davis):  Field Trip to Quail Creek Reservoir, Grandpa’s Pond, and Washington Fields
October 15, 2011
I love it when the seasons
change. Maybe because I was so influenced by my Aunt
Leona from Maywood, California. My Aunt loved coming
to St. George with her husband for the deer hunt,
just so she could feel the change of seasons. It was
like that when we took our October Field Trip. There
was a definite coolness in the air as we looked out
over Quail Creek Reservoir, up and down Grandpa’s
Pond, and throughout the Washington Fields. There
were touches of yellow leaves in the trees and signs
of birds grouping together as they considered
migrating soon.
Once again our Field Trip Leaders were Kevin, Pam, and Everett Wheeler. We had a really great time. Birds seen: American Wigeon, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, American Coot, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Northern Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, House Sparrow. Heard: Western Meadowlark. Photos from the trip
Scoping out the birds Blue and Red I'm pretty sure it's a Red-tail Scouting Grandpa's Pond Birds and people Birders come in all sizes ~~~
 Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
September
17, 2011
Six (ok- 5 ½) intrepid
birders set out early this morning for a great field
trip to Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge in
Southern Nevada. We left St. George and after an
inconvenient run-out-of-gas on I-15 (Sorry!) we were
on our way. We got to the refuge and saw lots of
birds right away. We walked along the stream
south of the North Lake, where we were entertained by
many Lesser Goldfinches, and a couple Western
Wood-pewees. Then things got really good - on
the way back along the stream, we found a female
American Redstart. It performed acrobatics in
the tall cottonwoods and gave great views to
everyone. We looked out on the North Lake, and
saw two young pied-billed grebes. Five Sandhill
cranes flew over. A Vesper Sparrow perched up
for all to study. Part of the group started
heading back to the vehicles, and found a dark and
white warbler in the cottonwoods in the corner - a
Black-throated Blue!!! Before everyone was
finished looking at the warbler, a female Vermilion
Flycatcher flew out, trying not be be outdone.
We had lunch, and walked along the dike between the North Lake and North Marsh, and got great looks at a little sora strutting around the mud flats, as well as a pair of Western Grebes and two Solitary Sandpipers. Unfortunately, our group had to leave, but stopped at the Lower Lake, where we saw White faced Ibis, American Avocets, and Double-crested Cormorants. A great day - we wish we had this type of birding area closer to home! Birds seen: Canada Goose, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested, Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, White-faced Ibis, Turkey Vulture (in Moapa), Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Sora, American Coot, Sandhill Crane, American Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Rock Pigeon (Mesquite), Eurasian Collared Dove , (Glendale), Mourning Dove, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike (with a big, green grasshopper), Common Raven, Barn, Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated, Blue Warbler, American Redstart, Wilson's Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle (the tailless variety - Mesquite), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, - total 45 species. ~~~
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