[Birdtalk] Fwd: Lytle Ranch on Monday (in the snow)

[Tim Avery]

Forwarded on behalf of Paul Hicks.

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Utah Birders, Since it wasn't snowing in St. George early Monday I decided
to give Lytle Ranch a try for some target species. I arrived at 8:30am, the
same time the storm front did. The snow both hampered and enhanced the
visibility--flakes and fog on the eyeglasses were contant companions. Lots
of sparrows around, including fair numbers of SAGE SPARROW and, perhaps more
interesting, at least one GOLDEN-CROWNED with WHITE-CROWNS (first bird that
greeted me, well before parking lot/gate) and two BLACK-THROATED together
with JUNCOS at the edge of the first wash past the elevated pond, and a
possible third individual in another location. BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER
(pair) and CRISSAL THRASHER were out almost to the white gate. PHAINOPEPLAs
were calling seemingly everywhere. Lots of woodpeckers: a couple
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKERs (heard), two RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERs near the
residence, flickers galore and I thought I heard a HAIRY Wdpkr. I'm 80%
certain a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER (familiar species) flew by (just past the
red rock beyond the elevated pond). The return over the pass was plenty dicy
in two inches of snow. About 30 species for the day.

Good birding!

--Paul Hicks / phicks AT accessgrace.org / visiting from Tenino, Washington
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