Location: Sullivan Virgin River Park (Please note start time change)

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 965 S Washington Fields Rd. Washington. Meet at the pavilion overlooking the pond as you enter the park.

About: Mostly paved level trails along the Virgin River. Bathrooms

Target Species: Phainopepla, raptors, woodpeckers, meadowlark, wrens and kinglets, migrating warblers

Leader: Greg Cannona

Location: Royal Oaks Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place:1250 N 1400 W St George. Meet by the bathrooms

About: : Royal Oaks is a small park but has excellent habitat and always has good birds. There are paved trails but we will also move along the dirt path behind the houses. Recently a family of Cooper’s Hawks resided here.

Leader: John Schijf

Location: Saturday Field Trip: Lava Point up Kolob Terrace Rd in Zion NP

Overview: RCA’s August field trip is Saturday, August 22 to scenic Lava Point, the highest point in Zion National Park. Many birds are on the move in latter August, and Lava Point is a known “migrant trap” where just about anything can show up -- such as last August’s Olive Warbler, a first state record. Target birds include Bald and Golden Eagle, Osprey, Dusky Grouse, Western Tanager, bluebirds, Clark’s Nutcracker, Green-tailed Towhee, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher; up to 3 vireo and 10 warbler species are possible. Longshots include California Condor, Zone-tailed Hawk and Band-tailed Pigeon.

Registration Required: Registration Site. on the RCA website, and plan to carpool. Participants are limited to 11 in three vehicles. See details below.   

FIELD TRIP DETAILS

Destination: Lava Point up Kolob Terrace Road in Zion NP

Time: Meet-up for carpooling to leave at 6:30am; 2:30 return

Carpooling location: Maverik gas station, 460 N State St, LaVerkin. We will be taking no more than three vehicles. Leave extra vehicles at the LDS parking lot next door to the Maverick.

Bring/wear: Binoculars, sunscreen, hat, ample food and water, hiking boots or sturdy, closed-toe footwear.

Walking/hiking: Up to 1.5 miles: roadway, trails, and through woodland; mostly level but uneven/rocky surface in places. Also at a higher altitude.

Restrooms: At Lava Point campground

Road conditions and distance: About 60 miles round trip; 3 miles on gravel roadway

Trip Leader: Paul Hicks: 360-870-3819 | paulhicks7373@gmail.com

Location: Confluence Park La Verkin

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: Take SR-9 north through LaVerkin to 900 N. Turn left onto 900N. Follow the road through the housing to the dirt road. Travel about a mile to trailhead parking. Meet at the metal gate across the roadway.

About: We will walk dirt-and-gravel pathways along the three converging streams: LaVerkin Creek, Ash Creek and the Virgin River. The route is mostly level, up to 2 miles depending on how far participants want to go. Bathrooms at the parking lot.

Target Species: This amazing riparian area attracts a variety of migrating passerines. In addition to resident roadrunner, quail, turkey, and three dove species, we’d reasonably expect to find chat, Black-headed and Blue Grosbeak, Summer and Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Phainopepla, woodpeckers, White-throated Swift and swallows. “Bonus” birds could include Calliope Hummingbird (plus 4 other hummers) and up to 3 empid (little) flycatchers, plus 4 wren species, 5 warblers, 10 sparrow types!

Leader: TBD

Location: Tuweap Riparian Area (Sand Hollow Wash)

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: : Parking lot across Tuweap Dr from the Sierra Point Apartments, 1503 N 2100 W, St George. Meet at the trailhead at the south end of the parking lot.

About: Paved/unpaved paths on both sides of wash. The trickling water here is a magnet for a variety of both desert and riparian birds. Bathrooms across the wash near Snow Canyon HS.

Target Species: Willow Flycatcher, Green Heron, Phainopepla, roadrunner, chat, grosbeaks, orioles, Bell’s Vireo, quail, sparrows; possibly night heron and rails.

Leader: John Schijf

Birds & Bites

Location: Liberty Cafe: 1664 S Dixie Dr K-102, St. George

 A no-host social gathering after the Tonaquint Nature Center Bird Walk

Location: Tonaquint Nature Center

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 1851 South Dixie Dr, St George. Meet at the last parking lot by the tennis courts and bathrooms.

About: The Tonaquint Nature Park is one of the better places to find birds within our populated areas. Large, mature trees surrounding a pond attract both woodland birds and waterfowl, migrants and residents. Most anything can show up here. The paths are mostly dirt but level and maintained.

Leader: Paul Jaussi

Location: Sullivan Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 965 South Washington Fields Rd, Washington. Meet at the pavilion overlooking the pond as you enter the park.

About: About: Mostly paved level trails along the Virgin River. Bathrooms. We might take the up-canyon route.

Target Species: Orioles, grosbeaks, kingbird, raptors, woodpeckers, wrens, chat, sparrows, warblers; Phainopepla is possible.

Leader:RJ Hughes

Location: Boots Cox Park

Meeting Place: 1080 South 900 East, St George

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

About: We will start at Boots-Cox Park and then move on to Crosby Family Confluence Park (2099 S. Convention Center Dr). Sidewalks and lawns are mostly level. Bathrooms at both sites.

Target Species: Vermilion Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, phoebes, pipit, roadrunner, Yellow Warbler, nesting Cliff Swallows.

Leader: Greg Cannon

FOREST PARK

Location: Forest Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 1030 N 1800 E, St George. Meet in the parking lot near the bathrooms.

About: First we’ll cover the main park’s little pond surrounded by mature trees, then follow the paved path along the bottom of rock cliffs, and finally skirt Middleton Wash via a somewhat rough dirt trail. This small area offers multiple habitats and turns up some unique birds.

Target species: Resident Cooper’s Hawk, roadrunner, gnatcatcher, wrens, Bell’s Vireo, orioles, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and a variety of migrating warblers and sparrows; Lazuli Bunting is possible.

Leader: TBD

Location: Washington City Library General Membership Meeting: Preserving Habitat

Location: Washington City Library

Speaker: Marshall R. Topham

Speaker Bio: Marshall R. Topham brings a 40-year career in education and decades of local conservation leadership to the Virgin River Land Trust. A Cedar City native with advanced degrees in Zoology and Education Administration, Marshall served as a teacher, principal, and associate superintendent for the Washington County School District. As a dedicated community conservationist, he served as the local biologist on the committee that created the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan and dedicated 20 years to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Technical Advisory Committee. He is also the co-founder of the Get Outside Corporation—a non-profit dedicated to teaching youth environmental ethics—and currently teaches Environmental Science at Utah Tech University.

Presentation Summary: Southern Utah is an ecological crossroads. From the towering sandstone cliffs of Zion to the riparian ribbons of the Virgin River, our region serves as a vital corridor for hundreds of resident and migratory bird species. However, wildlife maps don’t stop at property lines. Many of our most critical, sensitive habitats (including high-elevation roosting ridges and low-elevation valley floors) are privately owned and highly vulnerable to rapid development. Please join members of the Virgin River Land Trust who will dive into how local land trust work serves as a permanent shield for local bird populations.

In particular, we will share an exclusive look into our current efforts to fund and establish a permanent conservation easement on Miner’s Peak. Towering just north of Zion, this private mountain top contains critical, undisturbed habitat utilized by one of the rarest birds on Earth: the California Condor. Learn how voluntary agreements with private landowners are keeping these sweeping landscapes intact, protecting everything from the majestic condor to sensitive riparian songbirds.    

 If you would like to learn more about the Virgin River Land Trust visit https://virginriverland.org

Location: Royal Oaks Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 1250 N 1400 W, St George. Meet by the bathrooms.

About: Royal Oaks is a small park but has excellent habitat and always has good birds. There are paved trails but we will also use the dirt path along the wash behind the houses. Recently a family of Cooper’s Hawks resided here.

Leader: RJ Hughes

Birds & Bites

Location: Smith’s Deli 565 S Mall Dr St George

 A no-host social gathering after……Bird Walk

Location: Sullivan Virgin River Park (map)

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 965 South Washington Fields Rd, Washington. Meet at the pavilion overlooking the pond as you enter the park.

About: Mostly paved level trails along the Virgin River. Bathrooms. We might take the up-canyon route.

Target species: Orioles, grosbeaks, kingbird, raptors, woodpeckers, wrens, chat, sparrows, warblers; Phainopepla is possible.

Leader: Greg Cannon

Location: Confluence Park La Verkin

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: Take SR-9 north through LaVerkin to 900 N. Turn left onto 900N. Follow the road through the housing to the dirt road. Travel about a mile to trailhead parking. Meet at the metal gate across the roadway.

About: We will walk dirt-and-gravel pathways along the three converging streams: LaVerkin Creek, Ash Creek and the Virgin River. The route is mostly level, up to 2 miles depending on how far participants want to go. Bathrooms at the parking lot

Target Species: This amazing riparian area attracts a variety of migrating passerines. In addition to resident roadrunner, quail, turkey, and three dove species, we’d reasonably expect to find chat, Black-headed and Blue Grosbeak, Summer and Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Phainopepla, woodpeckers, White-throated Swift and swallows. “Bonus” birds could include Calliope Hummingbird (plus 4 other hummers) and up to 3 empid (little) flycatchers, plus 4 wren species, 5 warblers, 10 sparrow types!

Leader: TBD

Location: Boots-Cox/Crosby Family Confluence Parks

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 1080 South 900 East, St George

About: We will start at Boots-Cox Park and then move on to Crosby Family Confluence Park (2099 S. Convention Center Dr). Sidewalks and lawns are mostly level. Bathrooms at both sites.

Target Species: Vermilion Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, phoebes, pipit, roadrunner, Yellow Warbler, nesting Cliff Swallows.

Leader: RJ Hughes

FIELD TRIP DETAILS

Destination: Hop Valley Trail up Kolob Terrace Road in Zion National Park.

Please register (required) on the RCA website, and plan to carpool. Participants are limited to 10 in three vehicles. Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

About:  RCA’s June field trip will be to Hop Valley on Saturday, June 20. An “extreme birding bonus” will also be offered for those willing and able. Target birds include Lazuli Bunting; Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Virginia’s, Grace’s and Black-throated Gray Warbler; Western Warbling, Gray and Plumbeous Vireo; Black-chinned Sparrow; nuthatches, bushtits, gnatcatchers and flycatchers.

The Hop Valley Trail in Zion National Park is just one of the many birdwatching gems up Kolob Terrace Road. The combination of oak stands, sage/scrub, and ponderosa woodland attract a nice variety of species. Plus the red rock scenery is second-to-none.

“Extreme birding bonus”: This add-on option requires sturdy hiking boots and sure-footed participants only. From the trailhead we’ll pull off the highway about a quarter mile up and hike the rim overlooking Hop Valley. We hope to find Acorn Woodpecker that’s been sighted on that trail.

Time: Meet-up for carpooling to leave at 6:30am; 1:30 return

Carpooling location: Maverik gas station, 460 N State St, LaVerkin. We will be taking no more than three vehicles. Leave extra vehicles at the LDS parking lot next door.

Bring/wear: Binoculars, sunscreen, hat, ample food and water, long sleeves and pants (due to horse flies), hiking boots or sturdy, closed-toe footwear, layered clothing for hotter midday temps.

Walking/hiking -- Hop Valley Trail: Up to 1 mile on moderately steep and level trail with deep sand in places.

Walking/hiking -- “extreme birding bonus”: About 1.5 miles on rocky and sandy surface, including some scrambling on steep and potentially slippery rocks. Sturdy hiking boots and sure-footedness are required.

Restrooms: At the trailhead

Road conditions and distance: About 45 miles round trip on paved roadway

Trip Leaders: Paul Jaussi: 503-970-2413 | pauljaussi@gmail.com

                                   Paul Hicks: 360-870-3819 | paulhicks7373

Location: Tonaquint Nature Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 1851 South Dixie Dr, St George. Meet at the last parking lot by the tennis courts and bathrooms.

About: The Tonaquint Nature Park is one of the better places to find birds within our populated areas. Large, mature trees surrounding a pond attract both woodland birds and waterfowl, migrants and residents. Most anything can show up here. The paths are mostly dirt but level and maintained.

Leader: John Schijf

Birds & Bites

Location: Liberty Cafe 1664 S Dixie Dr K-102, St. George

 A no-host social gathering after the Cottonwood Cove and Mathis Parks Bird Walk.

Location: Cottonwood Cove and Mathis Parks

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 11027 South Dixie Dr, St George. Meet in the parking lot by the bathrooms.

About: We will walk the paved trails along the Santa Clara River, and then make our way a short drive to bird at Mathis Park.

Target Species: Great Blue Herons at the rookery, Western Kingbird, Bullock’s Oriole, Summer Tanager, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, warblers.

Leader: Greg Cannon

Location:Tuweap Riparian Area (Sand Hollow Wash

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: Parking lot across Tuweap Dr from the Sierra Point Apartments, 1503 N 2100 W, St George. Meet at the trailhead at the south end of the parking lot.

About:Paved/unpaved paths on both sides of wash. The trickling water here is a magnet for a variety of both desert and riparian birds. Bathrooms across the wash near Snow Canyon HS.

Target Species: Willow Flycatcher, Green Heron, Phainopepla, roadrunner, chat, grosbeaks, orioles, Bell’s Vireo, quail, sparrows; possibly night heron and rails

Leader: John Schijf

Location: Confluence Park (La Verkin)

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: W 900 N La Verkin, UT, 84745. Take SR-9 north through LaVerkin to 900 N. Turn left onto 900N. Follow the road through the housing to the dirt road. Travel about a mile to trailhead parking. Meet at the metal gate across the roadway.

About: We will walk dirt-and-gravel pathways along the three converging streams: La Verkin Creek, Ash Creek and the Virgin River. The route is mostly level, up to 2 miles depending on how far participants want to go. Bathrooms at the parking lot.

Target Species: This amazing riparian area attracts a variety of migrating passerines and summer breeders. In addition to resident roadrunner, quail, turkey, and three dove species, we’d reasonably expect to find Phainopepla, Western Kingbird, Yellow Warblers, White-throated Swift and swallows, hummingbirds, woodpeckers. Up to 5 wren species and 10 sparrow types are possible!

Leader: Lucy Ormond

General Membership Meeting: Preserving our Dark Skies

Location: Washington City Library

Speaker: Deborah Stocks

Description of Topic: This presentation will be about the impact of Artificial Light At Night, “ALAN”, on the environment, the economy and all living creatures particularly birds, turtles, corals and insects.  The presentation will include why the preservation of dark skies is important, discuss the impact of light pollution and ways to reduce it. Light pollution is actually easy and simple to remedy.

Speaker Bio:  First off - I need to say I am not a bird expert.  I do enjoy bird watching and have some great “birder” friends. As the spouse of a frequent National Park Artist in Residence, I have had some volunteer opportunities banding water fowl and doing “bio counts” with park biologists.  As a member of Southern Utah Dark Sky Advocacy Group and an advocate with Dark Sky International, I do have information to share on the adverse impact of light pollution. I am hoping after this presentation, you will join in preserving our notable dark skies here in Utah.  At the very least, I hope you are able to get to a dark area to enjoy “cosmic awe”, over 80% of the world cannot see what we have.   

I am a Registered Nurse with a MS in Health Administration and worked as a nurse and an educator in health care for almost 50 years. My husband’s love of astronomy and astrophotography led us to start a family business – a remote observatory about 5 years ago (Utah Desert Remote Observatories).  As we found our beautiful dark skies, even away from the cities, being lost due to growth and lights, I became an advocate for light pollution prevention. The more I learn about the negative effects of ALAN, the more passionate I have become with sharing this knowledge.    

Location: Tonaquint Nature Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 1851 South Dixie Dr, St George. Meet at the last parking lot by the tennis courts and bathrooms.

About: The Tonaquint Nature Park is one of the better places to find birds within our populated areas. Large, mature trees surrounding a pond attract both woodland birds and waterfowl, migrants and residents. This is the best place to see Wood Ducks in winter. Most anything can show up here. The paths are mostly dirt but level and maintained.

Leader: TBD

Location: Village Baker, 1472 E. George Washington Blvd, St George

 A no-host social gathering after the Springs Estates Pond Bird Walk

Location: Springs Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 2395 East Springs Dr, St George. Meet by the bathrooms.

About: A community park featuring a pond near a marsh of the Virgin River. Path is paved around the pond and along the river; uneven dirt into the marsh.

Target species: Waterfowl, herons, roadrunner, hummingbirds, Marsh Wren, phoebes, migrating warblers. Sora and Virginia Rail are possible.

Leader: RJ Hughes

Location: Seegmiller Historic Farm

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 2592 South 3000 East, St George. Meet at the parking lot.

About: A city park in an historic farm setting in the middle of Washington Fields. This area is surrounded by farm fields, marshes, and small ponds. Paths are unpaved and will be muddy after rains. Bathrooms.

Target Species: Vermillion Flycatcher, Western Meadowlark, roadrunner, raptors, sparrows, etc.

Leader: Phil Ertel

Birds & Bites

Location: The Crepery, 1091 N Bluff St #311, St George

 A no-host social gathering after the Royal Oaks Park Bird Walk

Location: Forest Park

Registration Site: Registration Site. Please register for this specific date or event.

Meeting Place: 1030 N 1800 E, St George. Meet in the parking lot near the bathrooms.

About: Royal Oaks is a small park but has excellent habitat and always has good birds. There are paved trails but we will also use the dirt path along the wash behind the houses. Recently a family of Cooper’s Hawks resided here.

Leader: Paul Hicks