[redcliffs] Early summer bird update

[Rick Fridell]

Hello Everyone,

There have been a few unusual early summer birds hanging around Washington
Co., including a non-breeding plumaged Common Loon moving between Quail
Creek and Sand Hollow State Parks. The SR-9 (Hurricane) sewer ponds
currently are hosting several duck species including many that are very
unusual for this time of year.  There are 3 Northern Pintail (2 drakes and a
hen), a pair of Gadwalls, 3 Lesser Scaup, and a female Common Goldeneye.
Both the Pintails and the Gadwalls are the first I've seen in Washington Co.
in June.  Other unusual waterfowl around the county include the Ross's Goose
remaining at the middle St. George Golf Course Pond. I think this guy missed
the north bound migration notice.  Perhaps the most exciting recent
sightings were of two pairs of Cedar Waxwings building nests in the Pine
Valley area (including a pair east of town and another near the lake). As
far as I know, Waxwing nesting has not been documented anywhere close to
this far south.  Waxwings are renown as late nesters (and late migrants),
often arriving at northern breeding areas as late as mid June. I was
suspicious these might be late lingering individuals, so I followed both
pairs around and watched them actively collecting nesting material and
working on nests.  It will be interesting to see if they will go through
with nesting and successfully fledge young this far south. Keep your eyes
out for these and other Waxwings.

Best Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT