BIRDING SPOTS

where, when, and what to find

Zion NP -- Right Fork Trailhead

posted by Tim Avery at
on Saturday, January 3, 2015 

Right Fork Trailhead from Google Street View


Description:
The mention of Zion National Park conjures up images of vertical sandstone walls enclosing a magnificent desertscape dusted with a scattering of trails leading to water within the arid land of the park. One of those trails is the Right Fork of North Creek where wide welcoming walls enfold the meandering stream; and cattails, moss and ferns provide nutrients for abundant wildlife thriving in the riparian habitat.  The destination is a pair of delicate waterfalls tucked deep in the canyon. Hikers can make their way behind picturesque Double Falls and gaze through streaming sheets of water to the calm pool below. The actual trailhead sits in a mostly burnt out juniper woodland and dry desert where the habitat quality is very poor.  The actual hike will take you through a number of habitats including mixed juniper and oak woodlands, canyon, and of course riparian.

Birding:
I've never actually done the hike, and didn't realize what was here till I Started researching it for this location--it is definitely on my to do list next time I visit the area in the summer.  The actual bird list in eBird appears to be misrepresented with checklists from outside the habitats, and area. Species like CANYON WREN, JUNIPER TITMOUSE, CHIPPING SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, and SPOTTED TOWHEE Are probably expected, while given the breadth of habitat you could probably put together a pretty good species list.  The location at the trailhead isn't great for birding and the trail just doesn't get the coverage of other sites.  If you have birded here, please share your experience in the comments. I will hopefully add more information in the future once, I've been and can add to it!

Directions:
All Zion National Park hot spots directions in Zion Canyon, or to the east will originate from the visitor center parking lot for consistency. Anything in the north and west sides of the park will come from the nearest major intersection.  From the U.S. Post Office in Virgin, go east on SR-9 for .2 miles. Turn left onto Kolob Terrace Road and continue north for 6.4 miles. The trailhead will be on your right.

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