[redcliffs] Probable Gilded Flicker on the Beaver Dam Slope

[Rick Fridell]

Hello,
This morning (2/19), Kevin Wheeler and I visited Lytle Ranch.  We saw and/or
heard at least five Crissal Thrashers singing between the ranch houses and
the pond.  Overall it was rather quiet at Lytle, but we did find the
continuing Harris's Sparrow near the restrooms.

On our way out of the Beaver Dam Wash, we observed a flicker flying
overhead. We followed it until it perched in the top of large, dead Joshua
Tree.  We managed to get the scope set up on the bird and noticed
immediately it was a female flicker with a plain gray cheek off set by a
brownish cap extending down the nape of the neck. It had a large black
central breast patch, and underside spotting and overall size also appeared
to be appropriate for a Gilded Flicker. When it flew, it appeared to be
yellow-shafted, but unfortunately it flew over the hill to the north.  We
spent some time walking around and scoping the many Joshua Trees in the area
but could not manage to relocate the flicker. We were not able to study the
barring on the back, and unfortunately it didn't stick around long enough to
get any photos.  So if anyone has some time to look around, it was in the
area of dense, large Joshua Trees north of the Lytle Ranch Road, just before
it drops down the hill into the Beaver Dam Wash. There is a corral on the
south side of the road from the area where we observed the flicker.

Other interesting sightings included some of the first signs of spring
migration with 17 American Avocets and 23 Double-crested Cormorants at
Gunlock State Park. Also the four Greater White-fronted Geese are remaining
at the SR-9 (Hurricane) Sewer Ponds.

Best Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT