Location: Hela 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. The walking will be on non-paved trails. Bathrooms.

Target species: Vermillion Flycatcher, Marsh Wren, American Pipit, Western Meadowlark, roadrunner, raptors, sparrows, etc.

Leader: Paul Hicks

Location: Sullivan Virgin River Park

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: Paul Hicks

RCA’s October field trip is Saturday, October 10 to scenic Kolob Reservoir near the height of fall colors. Target birds include Lewis’s Woodpecker (almost certain), bluebirds, Clark’s Nutcracker, Bald Eagle; California Condor is possible. Waterfowl will be plentiful, up to 18 species including Surf Scoter moving through (so bring a scope if you can).

Please register (required) 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 in Zion NP/ Kolob Reservoir

Date: Saturday, October 10

Registration (required): Link to Registration

Time: Meet-up for carpooling to leave at 7:30am; 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.

Bring/wear: Binoculars and a scope if you have one for long-distance viewing; also sunscreen, hat, ample food and water for the duration, hiking boots for possible muddy conditions. Bring a sweater/jacket in case the weather is chilly.

Walking/hiking: Minimal walking on roadway, trails, and through woodland; muddy conditions possible.

Restrooms: At Kolob Reservoir plus a few toilets enroute.

Road conditions and distance: About 70 miles round trip; 3 miles on gravel roadway -- which could be muddy and rutted (not suitable for low clearance vehicles).

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

Location: Cottonwood Cove Park

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 Stonebridge Pond.

Target Species: Wintering sparrows, kinglets, finches, and the occasional Cedar Waxwing flock. Waterfowl in the pond.

Leader: John Schijf

White Throated Swift Watch

Meeting Place: Johnson Canyon Trailhead /Snow Canyon State Park, 340 Snow Canyon Dr, Ivins, UT 84738 (parking lot is on the west/left side of Snow Canyon Drive, just before the fee station).

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

Leader: Phil Ertel

Each year during fall migration, White-throated Swifts gather in communal roosting sites. It is truly a spectacle as hundreds of swifts start grouping together high in the air just before sunset and then, suddenly, swoop into a small four-inch-wide crevice in a matter of a few minutes. Join us as we hike out to a roosting site to watch this wonder of nature. Meeting Place: We will meet at 5:15pm at the Johnson Canyon Arch Trail parking lot near the main entrance to Snow Canyon State Park. Please bring your State Park Pass or be prepared to pay $10 ($5 seniors) for parking. Details: The hike is a mostly level dirt trail about 3/4 mile each way. There are some rough and uneven areas. Bring a headlamp or flashlight for the hike back as it will be after dark on the way out. Leader: Phil & Susan Ertel.

Location:Boots Cox Park/ Crosby Family Confluence Park

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, phoebes, pipit, sparrows, wrens, roadrunner, Crissal Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Leader: RJ Hughes

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 trail along the bottom of rock cliffs, and finally skirt Middleton Wash via a somewhat rough dirt trail. This small area turns up some unique birds.

Target Species: Resident Cooper’s Hawk, roadrunner, Verdin, wrens, and a variety of migrating sparro

Leader: Paul Hicks

Saturday Field Trip: Forsyth Trail at Pine Valley has been cancelled due to low registration.

FIELD TRIP DETAILS
Destination: Forsyth Trail at Pine Valley. The Forsyth Fire went through this area last summer and left burned out ground with standing snags left over. These snags now attract woodpeckers and a surprising number of resident species still enjoy this habitat.

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Registration (required): Sign up at Registration Link

Time: Meet-up for carpooling at 6:30am; 1:00 return

Carpooling Location: LDS Ward, 1285 N Bluff St, St George. We will try to take no more than
three vehicles to ensure adequate parking at the trailhead.
Bring/wear: Binoculars, sunscreen, hat, ample food and water, hiking boots or sturdy, closed-toe
footwear.
Walking/hiking: Up to 1.5-2 miles through developed hiking trails. Mostly a gentile incline with uneven/rocky surface in places.
Restrooms: None. Veyo is closest public restroom.

Road conditions and distance: About 65 miles driving round trip from meet-up point; 1/4 mile of gravel roadway.

Target Species: Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, nuthatches, American Crow, late migrants. 

Trip Leader: Paul Jaussi

Birds & Bites

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

 A no-host social gathering after the Tonaquint Park Bird Walk

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: RJ Hughes

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.