RCAS Field Trip, Dec. 10, 2005

["Charles/Marilyn Sheard" <mcsheard at redrock dot net>]

Brrrr......... said 14 Red Cliffs Audubon Society birders.  Winter has 
arrived in SW Utah bringing sub freezing morning temperatures.  Add 
gusting winds as we stood at the overlook to Quial Creek Reservoir and 
that was the start to a great day of birding our local ponds and fields. 
 Best pond?  Try Strattton pond (a.k.a "Grandpa's Fishin Hole") for a 
variety of waterfowl.  This is where you'll find an amazing number of 
Hooded Mergansers plus both Greater and Lesser Scaups, Redheads, 
Canvasbacks, etc.  The Scaups gave us good comparison looks at the 
differences in head color and shape. The Hurricane fields are full of 
raptors now.  Large numbers of Red-tails..... a good time to observe the 
many plumage variations this species can display.  Also, several 
Ferruginous Hawks were seen, both immature and adults.  The trip was 
finished and as people departed a Rough-legged Hawk put in an 
appearance.
    A good day, especially for the several students from Marilyn Davis' 
ICL birding class.
    Species seen: C. Goose, Gadwall,  A. Wigeon, Mallard, N. Shoveler, 
GW Teal, Canvasback, Redhead, RN Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, 
Bufflehead, C. Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ruddy 
Duck, A. Coot, PB Grebe, Western/Clark's Grebe, Great Blue Heron, DC 
Cormorant, Bald Eagle, N. Harrier, RT Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, 
Rough-legged Hawk, Golden Eagle, A. Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, RB Gull, 
Belted Kingfisher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, LH Shrike, C. Raven, Rock 
Wren, RC Kinglet, A. Pipit, E. Starling, YR Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, 
WC Sparrow, RW Blackbird, W. Meadowlark and H. Finch.
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