[Birdnet] Quichapa Lake, Iron Co., UT

[Rick Fridell]

Hello,

I'm glad to see that several folks have tracked down the Neotropic Cormorant
at Quichapa Lake (Iron Co.UT). However, I've  heard from a few folks who
were not successful. Here's a few tips for those still planning on looking
for the cormorant:

- Remember there are over a hundred cormorants using the lake, and Quichapa
is very large and has limited access, so some patience may be required.

- A scope is necessary to bird Quichapa (and even than it can be frustrating
because of the long distances).

- The Neotropic Cormorant is noticeably smaller, and this is apparent even
at large distances in flight and when perched up with DC Cormorants. It also
has a proportionally longer tail, smaller head and bill than DC Cormorants,
and reduced orange gular patch and facial skin.

- Also the Neotropic Cormorant has a dark breast (it does appear slightly
mottled), much darker than typical juvenile DC Cormorants and slightly
darker than "dark" juvenile DC Cormorants.

- The cormorants occasionally perch on submerged fences and posts at the
north end of the lake, but usually roost along the shore and in dead shrubby
trees along the south east shore (of the northern portion of Quichapa).

Also remember that Quichapa is privately owned and many of the adjacent
landowners limit access to the lake bed. There are two primary access points
to the lake; one on the west side and one on the east side. The best of
these is on the east side (and therefore best light is in the morning) and
can be reached by following the directions supplied in Josh's post (Take
Highway 56 West out of Cedar City; turn left onto 6300 West (signed dirt
road; there is a large wooden sign on the fence along SR-56 reading "Meadow
Ranch" at this turn); in 1.4 miles turn right onto 1400 South and take this
0.7 mile to it's end overlooking Quichapa Lake). The second access point is
on the west side of Quichapa and reached by turning left off of Highway 56
onto Lake Road (7700 West), and than turning left onto 2000 South. This
requires walking towards the lake from the end of the dirt road, which
unfortunately usually flushes all the birds in the immediate vicinity.


Quichapa is currently teeming with birds and conditions should remain great
throughout the fall for waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, gulls, etc.


Thanks to Josh, Larry, and Tim for posting the information. I managed to
digiscope a few very blurry photos showing it's relative size, but I'd
encourage others to try some long distance photos, if possible.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need
additional information.

Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT