[Birdnet] Zone-tailed Hawk on Silver Reef to Oak Grove Campground Road, Washington County, Utah

[STEPHEN T CARLILE]

Sorry about the delay in this report, but I was at a family reunion and did not have access to the internet or a telephone list.  I just got back this evening, 17 July, making my way along I-15 with all the fires.

On Friday morning, 14 July, at 9:00 a.m., I and another birder, my brother, observed a Zone-tailed Hawk on the Silver Reef to Oak Grove Campground Road, approximately 5.5 miles from the Silver Reef south bound I-15 exit.  The bird was seen where the second bridge crosses Leeds Creek.  (Still lots of water in Leeds Creek.)  The bird was observed for approximately 7 minutes; 1 min at 100 feet, 3 minutes at 200 yards on a boulder with full sun behind us, and 3 minutes soaring over head.  All diagnostic field marks were noted; gray-black color, small beak, bright yellow legs, longer tail, tail barring present but not strong and only seen clearly when the bird was in the 100 foot range (would suggest a juvenile bird).  When soaring, barring of under-wing remiges with dark edging and Turkey Vulture-like wing posturing stood out.  A great look and a lifer for me and my brother.  My brother, who lives in Boston, has something to tell his birding friends about.

Few other birds seen.  Not surprising, considering the heat.  Did watch a pair of Phainopeplas for sometime, also saw along the way to the campground Black-throated Sparrows, Scrub Jays, Spotted Towhees, White-throated Swifts, Violet-green Swallows and a lone Canyon Wren.  At the Oak Grove Campground heard, but was never able to see the Pygmy Nuthatches.  No sign of any Grace's Warblers.  Saw several Western Tanagers, Warbling Vireos, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, and an out of place female Black-headed Grosbeak.  Oh, also almost stepped on a skunk that fortunately was more scared than we were and misfired.  (The perils of birding.)

Thanks,

Stephen

Stephen Carlile
West Valley City, Utah
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