[redcliffs] Peregrines and Red-necked Phalaropes at Sand Hollow SP

[Rick Fridell]

Hello Everyone,

This afternoon (05/01, Quinn and I dropped by Sand Hollow State Park
(Washington Co.) after work.  We were mostly there so Quinn could throw
rocks in the water, but I did manage to see an amazing spectacle.  There
were several thousand Red-necked Phalaropes on the reservoir, and a couple
Peregrines were taking advantage of this and chasing the phalaropes around.
The falcons appeared to be working in tandem breaking the flock into smaller
and smaller groups.  It was amazing to see the phalarope flocks turning and
flashing in synchronized movements, with the Peregrines in hot pursuit.  One
peregrine would typically trail the flock while the second would fly up high
above and rapidly dive into the midst of the flock. Eventually after about
20 minutes of aerial acrobatics both falcons caught a phalarope and flew off
to the east (and the phalaropes settled on the water and resumed feeding).

Other birds of note at Sand Hollow included a few Common Loons in beautiful
breeding plumage, an Osprey diving for fish, and a small flock of peeps
(including a Semipalmated Sandpiper, 6 Western Sandpipers, and a Least
Sandpiper).  Also there has been a Solitary Sandpiper at the Springs Estate
Pond in St. George for the last couple of days.

Best Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT