S.E. Utah- 2/12&13 (Black Rosy-Finches)

["Matthew J. Williams" <mjw22 at comcast dot net>]

Hello Everyone,

	My wife and took a much needed trip to Southeastern Utah this past 
weekend.  On Saturday, we went to Arches NP. On Sunday, we visited the 
Matheson Preserve (TNC property on the west side of Moab), then we drove a 
loop that skirted the La Sal Mountains and followed the Colorado River for 
a while. We ended the day and our trip with sunset in Canyonlands.

	At Arches, we had very little bird activity on this foggy Saturday.  Just 
when I thought we were going to get out of there with 2 species (Junco & 
Raven), my wife noticed a large flock of birds flying in as were nearing 
Delicate Arch on foot.  I knew they were Rosy Finches but realized how 
difficult they are to see and ID in flight.  Fortuntately, I did get nice 
looks at at least a few and I can say that most were likely BLACK 
ROSY-FINCHES in this flock of at least 100 birds.  This was a life bird for 
me and certainly an unexpected surprise.  A later surprise came with a 
MERLIN perched in a tree south of Moab.

	At the Matheson Preserve on Sunday, we saw at least 10 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 
at least 50 JUNCOS, a few SONG and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and a nice flock 
of BUSHTITS with a few probably BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES (heard only) and 
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS mixed in.  There were also several TOWNSEND'S 
SOLITAIRES, AMERICAN ROBINS and CEDAR WAXWINGS were flying around and 
feeding on any fruiting trees they could find.  There were a few RED-WINGED 
BLACKBIRDS out near the viewing blind and a check of the Colorado River 
from nearby Kane Creek Blvd. produced a female COMMON GOLDENEYE.

	Things were pretty quiet as we approached the La Sal Mountains.  Amanda, 
my wife and superb spotter, noticed a nice immature GOLDEN EAGLE that 
soared directly over us providing nice looks at the windows in the wings 
and the pale golden nape (because of this feature, I thought it was a Bald 
at first).  In the Junipers, we found a few flocks of BUSHTITS and MOUNTAIN 
CHICKADEES.  There a few WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS along this route but I was 
hoping for Pinyon but that would have to wait.

	As we drove along the Colorado River, my wife kept a lookout for 
ducks.  We found 5 HOODED MERGANSERS (2m,3f), a few mallards and 4 more 
COMMON GOLDENEYE (all females).

	Finally, we headed up to Canyonlands and, after a brief spat of car 
trouble, we made it there before sunset...just before.  On our way in, we 
came upon an enormous flock of PINYON JAYS (200+).  This made 5 corvid 
species for the day (counting AMERICAN CROWS and B-B MAGPIE (nest building? 
or remodeling?) in Moab and the ubiquitous COMMON RAVENS).  As I was 
setting up my scope for my wife to get a look at a Pinyon Jay, the flock 
seemed to be getting restless.  Just then, my wife saw a falcon swoop low 
over the road, just off to our right and close in on the Pinyon 
Jays.  Several were screaming at this point but the one that this pale 
falcon managed to grab had the most compelling reason to do so.  The jay 
was brought to the ground at first and then the falcon flew off with some 
difficulty carrying its dinner.  Initially, based on its pale color, I 
thought this may have been a Prairie Falcon but, after consulting some 
guides, I am fairly certain this was a female "PRAIRIE" MERLIN.  I was 
surprised at how pale this bird was.  Its back was a light, sandy brown and 
had it not been for the pointed wings, I may have called this bird a Barn 
or Short-eared Owl.  It was just a bit larger than the jay in its talons 
and I have a feeling that a Prairie Falcon would have been much larger and 
wouldn't have had any trouble carrying a jay.  This encounter was 
incredibly exciting.  The flock of Jays disappeared within seconds after 
the kill.  The sun disappeared soon after we reached the Grand View lookout.

Overall a great trip for the "Off season" in the Moab area.

Good Birding,
Matt & Amanda Williams
Provo, UT
   


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