[Birdtalk] Washington County breeders/late migrants

[joshkreitzer at byu.teancum.net]

Fellow Birders,

Landon Jones and myself birded Washington County a couple weeks ago (27 May 
2006)and found some good birds. I am still posting this late report because it 
is likely the birds will be in the same general areas for some time.

Highlights of the trip (for those whose time is limited) include: White-winged 
Dove, Vermilion Flyctacher, Summer Tanager, apparent Cassin's and Gray Vireos, 
Grace's Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Black-chinned Sparrow.

We started the morning birding Red Hills Golf Course, and we were treated with 
beautiful views of a male Vermilion Flycatcher and a male Summer Tanager. We 
also found a late migrant, an apparent Cassin's Vireo (I saw the green wash to 
the flanks but the bird was difficult to observe), in the shrubby brush 100 
yards northeast of the pond. Other species seen were: Northern Flicker, Black 
Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Violet-green Swallow, Cliff Swallow, European 
Starling, Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, 
Song Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Lesser Goldfinch.

We made a stop at Ivins Reservoir, which, though short on waterfowl, was a haven 
for land birds. Of particular interest: Eurasian Collared-Dove and Black-
throated Sparrow. We also foudn: Mallard, American Coot, Killdeer, Gambel's 
Quail, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Common Raven, Bullock's Oriole, 
and House Sparrow.

A key site we visited (for Landon's sake) was Utah Hill. We found abundant, or 
at least seemingly abundant Black-chinned Sparrows and an apparent Gray Vireo. 
We also found Bewick's Wren and Spotted Towhee.

Back in town, we found a White-winged Dove and Cedar Waxwings near my parents' 
home in Washington City (about 100 E 300 N). 

We decided that heading to Pine Valley would add yet more lifebirds to Landon's 
list, so off we went. On the way we found 2 Pinyon Jays just south of Dammeron 
Valley.

Once within the Pine Valley National Forest Area (parking fee $2.00), we birded 
the wet meadow/creek below the reservoir dam and found singing MacGillivray's 
Warbler and Warbling Vireo. We also found Western Wood-Pewee, Violet-green 
Swallows (beautifully diving with the sun bringing out their true colors), 
Mountain Chickadee, and American Robin.

Across the street in the trees ringing the parking lot we found some Pine 
Siskin. (Note: there is an outhouse here).

Further East we birded a dry wash on the road to Whipple Trailhead. We found a 
gorgeous Grace's Warbler, foraging quite low and fairly tamely in a ponderosa I 
believe. We also found Downy Woodpecker, an apparent Empidonax flycatcher 
(likely Hammond's or Dusky), American Robin, Warbling Vireo, and Chipping 
Sparrow. I also thought I had a female Cassin's Finch, but she didn't stick 
around.

The Whipple trail area, though a beautiful and full of vegetation was nearly 
devoid of birds.

On the way back from that area, we stopped at a picnic area parking lot and 
found Hairy Woodepecker, another apparent Hammond's/Dusky Flycatcher, White-
breasted Nuthatch, and a Grace's Warbler gathering nesting material!

It was a fun day of birding, and thanks to a cold front that had moved in for 
the weekend, the weather wasn't too hot.

Good birding!

Josh Kreitzer
Provo, UT 
801-378-5570
joshkreitzer at gmail.com

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