[redcliffs] RFI: Southern Utah incl. Zion NP

[Rick Fridell]

Hello Sandy,
I haven't seen any responses to your request so I thought I'd try and answer
a few of your questions:

Zone-tailed Hawk:  Although you will be north of their typical range, your
best bet is in Zion NP in the Lava Point area. There has been a pair in the
area for the past three summers. Best locations to watch for the birds are
from the north Lava Point overlook and in the Kolob Meadows from the pullout
just before the Kolob Creek crossing. This is a great place for raptors with
both Northern Goshawks and Peregrine Falcons commonly seen as well, and the
added bonus of California Condors.  To get to this area you must take the
Kolob Terrace Road north out of the town of Virgin (an incredibly scenic
drive, and a good place to escape from the lower elevation heat as well).

Common Black-Hawk:  There are usually at least three pairs nesting along the
Beaver Dam Wash, so your best chance is indeed one soaring in the Beaver Dam
Wash area.  They occasionally nest in a few other spots in Washington Co. as
well, the past few years there have been pairs along the Santa Clara River,
and a pair that works along the North Fork of the Virgin River between the
Temple of Sinawava downstream to the confluence with the East Fork in
Springdale. So write again when the time gets closer, and I can let you know
if any of these have been reported.

Barn Owl: Possible after dark in most of the places you are visiting.
Certainly in fields around Moab and from Springdale to Hurricane.

Western Screech-Owl: These are rather common in riparian areas in southern
Utah. Often can be heard from from the South and Watchman CG's in Zion. If
you make it to the Beaver Dam Wash stick around an hour after dark and you
are certain to hear one in the cottonwoods along the stream.

Other Owls: Flammulated and Spotted are very difficult at the places you are
visiting. Although you have a chance of hearing Spotted Owl throughout Zion
Canyon after dark. It is also possible to hear a Flammulated Owl in the Lava
Point area of Zion after dark.


Good luck and keep us posted on your trip,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT




  -----Original Message-----
  From: redcliffs-bounces at utahbirds.org
[mailto:redcliffs-bounces at utahbirds.org]On Behalf Of Sandy Ayer
  Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 1:45 PM
  To: redcliffs at utahbirds.org
  Subject: [redcliffs] RFI: Southern Utah incl. Zion NP


  Hi everyone,



  My wife and I love the Southwest, and we're planning a (mostly camping)
trip to northern Arizona and southern Utah in Mid-May to celebrate our 25th
anniversary. My wife is not a birder, and so I will have limited time to
bird and would like to make the most of the opportunities I do have. I've
consulted Birding Utah by D. E. McIvor.



  Rough itinerary:



  11 May camp in Arches NP

  12-14 May stay at B&B in Moab

  15 Goulding's Campground in northern AZ

  16 Monument Valley

  16-17 camp at south rim of Grand Canyon

  18-22 camp at Watchman campground at Zion NP (with possible excursion to
Beaver Dam Wash area to see Joshua trees) Birding likely restricted to Pa'
rus and Emerald Pools Trails



  Target birds:



  Zone-tailed Hawk (any chance of seeing it in northern AZ locations shown
above?)



  Common Black-Hawk (any chance of seeing one soaring in Beaver Dam Wash
area in late morning? Or in northern AZ?)



  Barn Owl (any chance of seeing one in Zion itself, or would I have to
check fence posts in late eve. around Springdale? Any possibilities near
Moab?)



  Spotted Owl, Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-Owl: I'd be content with
hearing these, and am of course not getting my hopes up re Spotted. What's
the best strategy to follow if I hope to encounter these?



  Thanks for whatever help you can provide.



  Sandy Ayer

  Calgary, Alberta





  H. D. (Sandy) Ayer (Mr.)
  Director of Library Services/Archivist
  AUC-NUC / Canadian Theological Seminary

  phone: 403.410.2000      web: http://www.auc-nuc.ca/
  fax: 403.571.2556      email: sayer at auc-nuc.ca
  Alliance University College - Nazarene University College 630, 833-4th
Ave. SW Calgary, AB T2P 3T5


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