[redcliffs] Acorn Woodpecker, California Condors - Kolob Meadows

[Rick Fridell]

Hello,
This morning (4/28), Quinn and I headed for cooler temperatures and explored
the area around Lava Point, Kolob Meadows, and Kolob Reservoir. Apparently
the birds also thought it was a nice place to escape the mid-90 temperatures
around St. George, as there was a tremendous amount of activity everywhere
we went.

Kolob Reservoir was full of birds including 12 species of waterfowl, a
couple Am. White Pelicans, 6 Common Loons in breeding plumage, a flock of
White-faced Ibis, and an Osprey. There were also several shorebirds
including Am. Avocet, BN Stilts, a Willet, LB Dowitchers, and Wilson's
Phalaropes.

We also observed a few California Condors flying over Lava Point and the
Kolob Meadows, and saw five species of woodpeckers, including a male Acorn
Woodpecker in the large aspen grove just south of the reservoir, and a
couple Lewis's Woodpeckers in the Kolob Meadows.  The Acorn Woodpecker was
very active and we observed it on three separate occasions between 9:30 and
1:00.

Also the pond in Fort Pearce Wash (south of River Road) had a male
Blue-winged Teal and two Pectoral Sandpipers (rare here in the spring) among
other ducks and shorebirds.

Best Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT