When you live in triple-digit weather, take the time to climb a mountain to higher elevations. The Red Cliffs Audubon did just that! We took a Field Trip to Cedar Breaks National Monument. It’s a whole different world at 10,000 feet. We brought along jackets, hats, and determination to have "the best day ever." We started at the Visitor Center where we were told what caused the beautiful colors and weird shapes found there. We wandered through the campground trying to coax each bird to come sit for us while we looked, talked, and enjoyed the moment. Some did and some didn’t. How fortunate for the Field Trip to have Steve, Justin, and Daphnia to ask questions and tell us each bird, plant, and uncanny shape seen along our way. It was hard to leave the cool green meadows and the pleasant smelling air.

     Birds seen were:  American Robin, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Brown Creeper, Cassin’s Finch, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, Hermit Thrush, House Finch, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Chickadee, Pine Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Red-shafted Flicker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Tree Swallow, Vesper Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Swift, and Yellow-rumped Warbler

     The next Field Trip is Saturday, July 13, at Pine Park. Hope you can make it. For more information call 435 673-0996.

       Here are some photos taken by Tom Richardson  and Marilyn Davis:

        Spring is the best time to see a million birds and hear a zillion bird songs. Spring offers super duper field trips. One of those super duper trips was to Grafton, Rockville, and Springdale. Our vehicles just couldn't get there soon enough . . . but finally we turned off Hwy 9 to Grafton. Red mountains and green open pastures . . . we were definitely 'in the country' with our first stop at the old Grafton Cemetery. Birds were everywhere, and Kevin Wheeler found them for us, showing off and taking advantage of the weather, the habitat, and Spring.

        After that it was on to Grafton, the large trees along the road, and the riparian area by the Virgin River. The habitat was thick and tall and some of us had to call out to find those ahead. It was like being in a beautiful green jungle. To make the trip complete we traveled back through the Rockville fields and there we spotted a Vermilion Flycatcher and his honey. Then on to Springdale and the Springdale Pond area. Mosquitoes were out, but we found that if we moved fast, they couldn’t keep up with us. Here is a list of birds seen:

        Grafton/Rockville: Cooper's Hawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Phainopepla, Rock Wren, Say's Phoebe, Lark Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Yellow Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Western Kingbird, Western Bluebird, White-crowned Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, Summer Tanager, Pine Siskin, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Canada Goose, Common Raven, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, American Robin, Western Meadowlark, Song Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Vermillion Flycatcher.

        Springdale Pond and surrounding area: American Robin, Mallard, Black Phoebe, Black-capped Chickadee, Summer Tanager, Lesser Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, White-throated Swift, European Starling, Yellow-breasted Chat, Phainopepla. One birder went up to Kolob on the way home and saw: Lewis's Woodpecker (about 2 miles from the Lava Point junction) and Bald Eagle, Mallard, and Eared Grebe at Kolob Reservoir.  Here are some of the photos from the trip supplied by Tom Richardson and Marilyn Davis: