[Date Prev][Date Next][Date Index]

RE: Rufous-backed Robin

Merry Christmas everyone,
I just want to add a couple comments to Dennis' email.   Although the landowners will not allow individuals entering the property and and walking through the orchard,  I agree with Dennis that is very possible to see the Rufous-backed Robin from outside the fence along SR-9.  The robin appears to spend most of its time well out of sight in the thick brush along the North Fork of the Virgin River, making occasional trips into the orchard to feed on downed apples.  Remarkably, it has been seen at least three different mornings along the outside edge of the orchard bordering SR-9.  Each time it has been seen around 9:00 am.  This portion of the orchard is the first area hit by sunlight and it appears the robin feeds here around 8:45 - 9:30 then moves deeper back into the orchard and along the river as these areas warm up.  As Dennis stated, this area of the orchard is between the Springdale fruit stand and the main (green) entrance gate to Tree's Ranch.  From outside the fence near the entrance gate, one can easily glass or scope down the first 6 or 7 rows of apple trees.  Anyone searching for the robin, please be respectful of property boundaries and keep us posted on your results.
 
Best Regards,
 
Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-birdnet@utahbirds.org [mailto:owner-birdnet@utahbirds.org]On Behalf Of Dennis Shirley
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 6:28 PM
To: birdnet@utahbirds.org
Subject: [birdnet] Rufous-backed Robin

Greetings,
Lou, Bryan and I made a late last night decision to try for the RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN reported in Springdale, Washington County, inspite of the private property situation as reported
earlier.  We left at 4:30am, arrived at 8:55am, spotted the bird at 9:05am, each had it in our spotting scopes at 9:08am, and then had it fly back away from the highway at 9:10am, never to be seen by us again. We did get great looks at it, even if it was for just a few minutes. We were very lucky, but a chance is better than none at all. The property owners will not allow any access to their orchards and other areas, so don't even ask. The Park Service, DWR, and CBC
counters don't want to jepardize the relationship they currently have.
There a deffinate chance of seeing the bird through the property fence along the highway. It's an ABA Mexican rarity even in border states like Arizona, so its worth a try.
The apple orchard it's been seen three times in is on the right side of the highway just as you are entering Springdale, having gone around a couple of turns after leaving Rockville. There is an 8ft high green field fence separating the property from the highway. Go to the north end of the property, past a fruit market[which is also on their property and therefore shouldn't be used to park in or bird around], and park on the west side of the road across the street from two locked gates. Looking through the fence/gates will be apple trees on the right and pecan trees on the left of a gravel driveway leading to a bridge and homes farther back away from the road.
The bird has been seen feeding on the fallen apples in the first few rows of trees. It was between row three and four for us. It appears to be easily spooked so be careful.
The property owners have said they don't mind birders outside the fence looking in, but again don't want people wandering around their property. It's probably a once in a lifetime bird for Utah so go if you're at all interested. There's a good chance it will stick around awhile, and at best even winter in the area. When one has shown up in Arizona it sometimes stays the winter. Thanks goes out to those who looked close enough to I'D it., and put the word out.
 
Merry Christmas To All,
It's been at Great Year,
Dennis Shirley  

Do you Yahoo!?
Send a seasonal email greeting and help others. Do good.