[redcliffs] Some surprising winter birds in Washington County

[Rick Fridell]

Hello,

Unfortunately I've been out of town and missed much of the nice storms and
wintry weather we've been having in Washington County.  I didn't have time
to take part in the Cedar City CBC going on today, but with all the great
birds being found around the region I just had to get out and look around a
bit this morning (12/19). The first surprise was at Quail Creek State Park
where there was a Cackling Goose with a small flock of Canada Geese. Also,
even more surprising in St. George I saw a male Common Yellowthroat (at the
Red Hills Golf Course Pond) and a Green-tailed Towhee.  Winter yellowthroats
turn up once every few years in the Virgin River Valley, but this is the
first winter Green-tailed Towhee I've seen in Utah (although I think I
recall Lu or maybe Dennis finding one in Utah Co. a few years back?).

Also the Snow Goose flock, their White-fronted Goose friend, and the feral
Egyptian Geese are still hanging around the SR-9 (Hurricane) Sewer Ponds,
usually in the irrigated field south of the ponds. And finally, I saw the
first-winter Glaucous-winged Gull and his possible Thayer's Gull buddy
flying from Sand Hollow State Park and heading towards the Washington County
Landfill (at least I assume that's where they were headed).

I'll be heading back out of town this afternoon, so will again miss the
Christmas Bird Counts.  Good Luck! and remember to please post the CBC
highlights.

Happy Holidays everyone,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT