Looking up Dalton Wash Road from Google Street View

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Description:
Dalton Wash Road is a small dirt road that passes through Dalton Wash--a mix of red rock "canyon", dry desert slopes, juniper woodlands, and arid shrubland.  Most birding occurs on the first 1.5 miles of road before the wash levels out on top of a plateau.

Birding:
Dalton Wash has really only popped onto the map for birders in the past few years; most notably for the ease of finding the resident RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW.  This location has been one of the most consistent locations for finding this species which inhabits similar habitat across the southwest corner of Utah.  Arriving early in the morning in the spring and listening for the sparrow is the best way to find it. Driving the road and stopping every 1/2 mile to listen should provide good opportunities to find it.  You will also likely encounter other specialty sparrow species like BLACK-THROATED SPARROW, and if you're lucky BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW.  These 3 desert specialties at one location makes this a truly unique area.  You will also hear plenty of ROCK and CANYON WRENS singing form the hillsides. Various other species are present during the winter and migration.  The hot summers really limit what can be found in this arid hot spot. Nocturnal birding here has turned up a few goodies as well, with LONG-EARED, GREAT HORNED, and WESTERN SCREECH-OWL all being found.  COMMON POORWILL are commonly heard in the dark and occasionally GREATER ROADRUNNER as well. When heading from St. George to Zion National Park, this quick stop is well worth it--just make sure you get there early before things warm up for the day!

Directions:
From the U.S. Post Office in Virgin, go east on SR-9 for 1.4 miles till your reach the turn off to Dalton Wash Road on your left. Turn here and you are in the wash.