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This morning a group of nine of us, including the
Jense's, K.C. Childs, Eric Huish, Bruce Robinson, Colby Neuman, Tim Avery, and
I, saw the Rufous Robin this morning at 8:15
and between 8:45 - 9:15 a.m., at the designate place in Springdale. We had
great looks at the birds, which was a life bird for all of us.
Beautiful bird!
Later on we went to the Hurrican Sewage Ponds, then
Sand Hollow and Quail Creek Reservoirs, where we saw the usual fare of
birds. We did not see the White-winged Scoter, which Merrill Webb told me
he saw on his CBC count at Sand Hollow. At the Hurricane Sewage Ponds we
saw many ducks, including a Canvasback on the first pond, then again on the
second pond, as it flew in with a scaup.
After Quail Creek we went toward Leeds. In
the narrows, about 50 yards before the stop sign, we stopped and looked into the
creeks flowing into the reservoir. There we saw a flock of sparrows, which
included a pair of the ever-elusive Rufous-crowned Sparrow. We had
close-up looks and the eye-ring was very apparent!
We then went to Red Cliffs Campground, where we met
Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld and Pomera Fronce. We all looked for a
Golden-crowned Sparrow, without success!
Just out of Leeds, as we headed north to Salt Lake
City, I called Merrill Webb to find out what had happened on his CBC for
Washington County. He told me he had spotted a Red-headed
Woodpecker at Wilson's Peach and Pecan Farm, which is located southwest of
Hurricane and SSW of the Hurricane Sewage Ponds!! We immediately turned
around to try and find it! We did!
Here are the directions:
Go to the Hurrican Sewage Ponds at 4300 West.
After enter the road on the east side of the sewage ponds, go south
for 1.1 miles, until you come to a fork in the road. The left fork goes to
the Sand Hollow Reservoir. DO NOT take the left fork.
Take the right fork and it will go south, then turn
west. Go 9/10 (.9) of a mile past some horse corrals, until you see a
white sign that reads: "Wilson's Peach and Pecan Farm." Leave the paved
road and take the left fork, which is a dirt road. It goes straight then
quickly turns south.
Go 3/10 (.3) mile to another sign: "Wilson's Peach
and Pecan Farm."
You will see a house immediately on the
right. This is a rental house and the occupant knows nothing about the
property. Immediately ahead you will see a very good dirt and rock road
between a two vinyl fences that run north and south. This road leads to
the owner of the peach and pecan farm. On the left is pasture. On
the right is about 40 acres of peach and pecan trees. There is also a row
of trees that run parallel to this road.
Colby Neuman, Tim Avery and I saw the Red-headed
Woodpecker just past mid-afternoon near the entrance to this road, in about the
5th-7th tree, on the right side of the road, as it appeared to be fly-catching
insects. It then flew a short ways west into the orchard. We were
able to observe it on several occasions from the road, as it flew between
the rows of trees, which ran east to west. We did not have to enter the
orchard, but could see the woodpecker from the road between the
fences.
Merrill informed the woman (owner) that there might
be many people come to see the bird. She said that it was all right, but
they needed to get permission from her to go into the orchard. (This is
important.)
When the bird flew the white back was
obvious. The bird is in adult plumage, and is beautiful! Good
luck.
Remember, do not go into the orchard without
permission! Thanks.
Glenn
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