Red Cliffs Audubon
Zion


Welcome
to the Red Cliffs Chapter of the National Audubon Society and
host of the
Christmas Bird Counts & the St. George Winter Bird Festival.

Artists & Birds
"Seeds and Civilization"

Red Cliffs
Photographers
Young Artists
and Birds
Field Trip Reports
July trip to Cedar Breaks

March 2008
Newsletter


News
Upcoming State Events

Our newest photographer tribute:  Charles Odd

More Young Artists and Birds contributions!

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Winter Bird Festival
By Denise Blyn

A few years back my husband and I retired in beautiful, sunny St. George and I quickly became involved in Red Cliffs Audubon’s activities.  I was very pleased to hear that there was going to be a Winter Bird Festival taking place and of course, I had to attend. As I stood next to Charlie Sheard at a blind at Springs Park area in 22 degree weather, I wondered why I came. I soon found out!  Great trips, presentations, Sparrow Stew and  I was hooked.  That first festival about 50 people attended and it was the beginning of  many more to come. 

This year, through Student Education Days, and a great variety of  presentations, workshops, trips, etc at the Festival, our totals have risen to over 1,900 participants!   Everyone seems to love birding! Since the Christmas Bird Counts, Audubon Meetings, BLM Brown Bag Lecture Series, four Art Exhibits, Water Fair, Senior Citizens programs, and numerous articles in our local media…the interest continues reaching even a greater number each day.

On behalf of the festival committee, I wish to Thank all of you that attended the events, participated as an event volunteer, or gave your time and energy as a Presenter or Leader. We appreciate the support of the community, for their contributions as in-kind and financial sponsors.  Without all the help from everyone, the festival couldn’t be a success.

Red Cliffs Audubon continues to offer the festival as our annual Community Outreach Program.  If any of you would like to attend any of our Festival planning meetings or be on the Education Program committee, please let us know.

103 SPECIES SEEN AT THE 2008 WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL
 
    Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Gamble's Quail, Pacific Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, American Kestrel, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, American Coot, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Shrike, Black-billed Magpie, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, Brown Creeper, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Crissal Thrasher, European Starling, American Pipit, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Sage Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow,Dark-eyed Junco,Red-winged Blackbird,Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Cassin's Finch, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

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MARK

 YOUR CALENDARS

road runner

The 2007-2008 field trip schedule is up...

RED CLIFFS AUDUBON
Upcoming Field Trips and Events

July 12, 2008 - Three-toed Woodpecker at Cedar Breaks National Monument

We shouldn't guarantee the elusive Three-toed Woodpecker anywhere, but Cedar Breaks is as good a place as any to search for it. We should see many good high elevation species as well; highlights have been Pine Grosbeak, Northern Goshawk, Clark's Nutcracker, and Peregrine Falcon.  Meet at the St. George BLM office in St. George at 7:00 am, and bring lunch.

Please read our liability waiver regarding future field trips.  This signed form will be required for field trip participation and can be submitted to the field trip guide or a Red Cliffs Audubon representative prior to departure.  Thanks for your cooperation--we appreciate it!

Audubon Meetings

Please join us at our Audubon Meetings, held the second Wednesday of each month.  We would also love to have you as a new Audubon member.  We promise fun and informative field trips in the company of "old birds", "new birds", and "snowbirds."  All are welcome!
For more information call 435-673-0996.  See you there! Click here for more information on upcoming field trips.


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WHAT’S IN  YOUR   YARD?

The migration of birds has begun.  Keep your feeders full, and watch for those smart little 'vagrants' stopping by..... headed south where it's warm and plenty to eat.   There’ll be common ones and rare ones.  Keep a camera handy for identification.   If you need a second opinion, members of the Red Cliffs Audubon can help verify that you really saw the "Lemon Yellow Lip Dripple".   A bird like that deserves a prize.   
 
Start today and make a list of the birds you see.  We have prizes in several categories:   Most Species  - Most Individuals - Uncommon - and Best Stories of Birds Seen in Your Yard.  For more information, call Judy Jordan 435-867-5627.

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For membership information or if you have any other questions, contact::

Contact Red Cliffs Audubon:
P.O. Box 1225, St. George, Utah 84771
or phone or email
Marilyn Davis 1-435-673-0996 (mkdavis028@msn.com)or
  Charles Odd 1-435-634-0513

About Red Cliffs Audubon



Vermilion Flycatcher by Patrick Williams





Vermilion Flycatcher photo courtesy and copyright Patrick Williams