[Birdtalk] Southern Utah Update

[Tim Avery]

Spent the week working in Grand Staircase, Zion, around St. George and Indian
Peak WMA in western Beaver County.  Had several highlights this week and some
southbound migrants.

07/16 - Black Phoebe along Cottonwood Canyon Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante
NM.
07/17 - Rufous Hummingbird in Zion National Park.
07/17 - 3 Brown-crested Flycatcher at Lytle Ranch.
07/17 - ELF OWL just south of Lytle Ranch in the Beaver Dam Wash, as posted to
Birdnet.
07/18 - Rufous Hummingbird in the Beaver Dam Wash.
07/18 - 13 Cinnamon Teal on the pond at Deseret Peak WMA.
07/18 - Spotted Sandpiper at pond at Deseret Peak WMA (bird was gone this
morning).

An interesting find at Indian Peak was an Ash-throated Flycatcher nest in the
top of a metal pole about 6 and 1/2' tall.  Both parents were feeding the birds
non-stop most of the last evening.  I was able to shoo this shot into the nest
from the top of the pole (note the lunch below them):
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/july07/atfl_03.jpg

And this shot of one of the parents bringing a dragonfly in:
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/july07/atfl_04.jpg

The parents were extremely tame and I was able to watch them feed from just feet
away.  Unfortunately my SLR camera took a tumble the day before and is probably
dead, so I had to shoot with my point and shoot.  I don't know when I will see
ATFL's this close again.

Also photo'd this toad along the Paria River:
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/july07/toad_03.jpg

And this fire above Nephi on the way home this evening (what a shame):
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/july07/fire_01.jpg

Good Birding

Tim
Salt Lake City, UT
tanager at timaverybirding.com
http://www.timaverybirding.com