Southbound Rest Stop from Google Street View

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Description:
Lunt Park is the name of the rest stop on I-15 at mile marker 88 between Beaver and Paragonah.  There are both north and south bound stops.  The north bound stop on the east side of the highway is predominantly open grass with just a handful of trees, mostly on the south end.  The southbound stop on the west side of the highway has a similar amount of grass, but has at least 8 very large trees creating a migrant trap in the desert.  The surrounding areas are mostly degraded grassland, some farm land, and shrubsteppe.  Like most rest facilities bathrooms are present, and during the tourist season these stops can be quite busy.

Birding:
There is just one checklist from here, at the moment--I know I have stopped here several times in the past and had birds.  If you are headed to St. George, I think it might be worth checking the southbound side.  The northbound side doesn't look as good so it may not be worth your time coming back.  In the summer WESTERN KINGBIRD are often seen here.  LARK SPARROW, BREWER'S SPARROW, and SAGEBRUSH SPARROW use the nearby shrubsteppe habitat, while SAGE THRASHER and HORNED LARK are also found.  In the winter raptors can occasionally be seen here, some times perched in the trees. BALD EAGLE, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, FERRUGINOUS HAWK, and PRAIRIE FALCON are all possible.

Directions:
If you are traveling out of Beaver, from exit 109 southbound it will be about 20  miles till you reach the pull out to the rest stop on your right. Alternatively if you are headed north from Paragonah at I-15 exit 82 it will be about 4.7 miles till you reach the pull off on your right to the north bound rest stop.

Beryl from Google Street View

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Description:
Beryl is an unincorporated community in Iron County that was originally established as a Union Pacific Railroad siding.  Now it is more of a ghost town.  If you look on Google Maps, it looks like a city was laid out here, with perfectly rectangle blocks for streets--but there is nothing there--just sagebrush, rabbit brush, and greasewood surrounded by desert. The 1 mile by 1 mile grid does have a few birding features, like a small patch of trees in the northeast corner around some old shacks--this is where the water tower is located, and where the road crosses the tracks going north and then west. In the northeast corner of the quadrant is a small compound where someone lives, and there are about 6 or 7 small deciduous trees here as well.  If you were to go north on 800 West you would eventually reach a large farm, with a huge field on the west side of the road, several small fields on the east side of the road, and a ton of trees.  The drive is lined with them for about a 1/4 miles, and the housing area is also surrounded.  This looks like some of the best migrant trap birding i Beryl, but I am not sure who owns it, or how welcome they would be to birders, so tread lightly if you choose to go here.  In general shrubsteppe is the habitat throughout the area aside form the 3 spots mentioned above.  There are other scattered farms for miles in every direction as well.

Birding:
There aren't a lot of reasons to go to Beryl--its dusty, dry and in the middle of nowhere.  There is potentially some migrant trap possibilities here but it would be a long way out here, if there were no migrants.  Some of the breeders here are good local birds though.  SAGEBRUSH SPARROW is notably common at this locations, while BLACK-THROATED, LARK, and BREWER'S SPARROW are also found. SAGE THRASHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, SAY'S PHOEBE, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK are also expected.  COMMON POORWILL and BURROWING OWL have been reported, while the most abundant species present is HORNED LARK.  Judging the checklists that have been submitted I am guessing that lists have been submitted from nearby juniper habitat, far from Beryl, as some of the species are directly associated with that habitat, and not the habitat found in Beryl.

Directions:
From I-15 Exit 59 in Cedar City head west on SR-56 for 35.3 miles to Beryl Junction. Turn right and go north 11.9 miles on the Beryl Highway.  At this point you are in the southeast corner of a 1 mile by 1 mile set of streets for what was Beryl.  There is nothing there currently. If you continue a mile north you will hit a crossroad.  Here if you turn left then immediately right over the tracks you will end up on 10400 north and can drive about a mile west to take a right on 800 west and head north to a farm along a tree lined drive.  Otherwise, where every you drive in the area, it is all considered Beryl.

Beryl Juncton from Google Street View

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Description:
Beryl Junction sits in the middle of agricultural land miles form anything resembling modern day America.  The area is a throwback to times of the past, and its refreshing to spend some time here in the middle of nowhere. Recently a nice school has been built here, but there are only a a few other private homes, and a small community housing project here right at the intersection of SR-56 and SR-18 which is the Beryl Highway leading to the ghost town of Beryl.  There are various tree lines and small groves in the area that provide some migrant habitat--particularly to the southwest of the intersection there is one large property which you can drive the perimeter of. The same for the property just to the northwest of the intersection--this property is larger, so many more trees are here. But the farms are the main "habitat"  pastures, hay--huge circles of crop seen form space if you look on Google Maps.  Outside of that, poor grassland habitat, shrubsteppe and desert surround the area.

Birding:
Beryl Junction is a great mid-winter birding spot, mostly know for the number of raptors that over winter there.  Between November and March the birding and photo opportunities for hawks, eagles, and falcons can be great here.  NORTHERN HARRIER, BALD EAGLE, FERRUGINOUS HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, and PRAIRIE FALCON can all be found here during the winter months, and sometimes in decent enough numbers to make this a raptor hot spot in Utah.  In the summer SWAINSON'S HAWKS replace the roughies and there aren't nearly as many birders visiting the area.  I like to leave ST. George, and head north on back roads to get here, then cut over to Cedar City to head back north if I have time.  It's an extra couple hours if you plan on birding, but you might see lots of hawks.  I tend to drive the Beryl Highway north a few miles from town, and then crisscross any roads along the way, and back down south of town.

Directions:
From I-15 Exit 59 in Cedar City head west on SR-56 for 35.3 miles to Beryl Junction.

Yankee Meadows from Google Maps User

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Description:
Yankee Meadow is a popular 53-acre lake located east of Parowan, Utah.  The lake is generally not accessible during the winter, except by snowmobile. About the time the lake become accessible in April, the ice is starting to come off.  There are two Forest Service campgrounds in the area. Camping is not allowed in the immediate vicinity of the lake. A restroom and gravel launch ramp are available at the lake. There are no garbage facilities at the lake so please pack out what you pack in.

Birding:
Birding is best here during the summer months when the reservoir is accessible.  Species typical of higher elevations in the southern part of the state are common here, including: HAIRY WOODPECKER, CLARK'S NUTCRACKER, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, HERMIT THRUSH, and CASSIN'S FINCH.  There are very few checklists for the area, given where it is and the small number of birders in the area.  The actual species list is probably much higher than that in eBird, but it needs a little help in the checklist department.

Directions:
From the intersection of Main and Center Streets in Parawon head east for .3 miles on Center Street. Continue straight across 3rd East as the road veers south and becomes SR-143. Go 3.3 miles then turn left onto Bowery Creek Road.  Go 1.4 miles, then continue onto Yankee Road for another 3.1 miles.  Take the slight right onto FR-049 and go another 2.4 miles to the reservoir.

Cedar Meadows from Google Street View

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Description:
Cedar Meadows is located about 4 miles west of Cedar City on Highway 56.  The area is bordered approximately by Highway 56 on the north side, 5700 West on the west, 800 South on the south, and Westview Drive on the east.  Habitat of the area is a mixture of agricultural hay fields, sagebrush and rabbitbrush, scattered Russian olive and cottonwood trees, and rural home developments.  There are several homes scattered throughout the area and one subdivision (Cedar Meadows) on the north side of Highway 56.  Access roads into the area are limited mainly to the above-mentioned boundary roads and a few high-clearance, 4-wheel drive trails.  The Coal Creek diversion canal bisects area east to west.

Birding:
Cedar Meadows is a good area for wintering raptors including NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED, FERRUGINOUS, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, GOLDEN and BALD EALGE, PRAIRIE FALCON and AMERICAN KESTREL.  In summer SWAINSON'S HAWK are also present.  There is a pair of BALD EAGLES that have nested for several years in a large cottonwood tree about one-quarter mile southwest of the Cedar Meadows subdivision. In order to not disturbed the eagles during the nesting season (February through June), birders are encouraged to view the birds from the road at the sw corner of the subdivision.  Other common birds of the Cedar Meadows area include MOURNING and EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, NORTHERN FLICKER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, COMMON RAVEN, AMERICAN ROBIN, BARN SWALLOW, YELLOW WARBLER, LARK and BREWER'S SPARROW (summer), WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (winter), DARK-EYED JUNCO (winter),  RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

Directions:
From I-15 exit 59 in Cedar City head west on 200 North/UT-56 for 1.7 miles. Turn left onto Westview Drive and go south for 1.1 mile.  Turn right onto 400 south and continue 2 miles west.  This is the heart of Cedar Meadows.  Alternatively, from I-15 exit 59 in Cedar City head west on 200 North/UT-56 for 4.4 miles.  Turn left on 5300 West/Gertrude Drive and go south for .8 miles. This puts you to the west of the area on improved roads.

Thanks to Steve Hedges for this location submission.

Zion National Park photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Zion National Park is a 229-square-mile park located in Washington, Iron, and Kane counties. A prominent feature of the park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles long and up to half a mile  deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The lowest elevation is 3,666' at Coalpits Wash and the highest elevation is 8,726' at Horse Ranch Mountain. Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, the park's unique geography and variety of life zones allow for unusual plant and animal diversity between the desert, riparian, and Ponderosa dominated habitats.  The park is basically split into 4 different areas: Zion Canyon, Kolob Terrace, Kolob Canyons, and the eastern section.  Each section is quite different and offers a variety of habitats including desert, canyon, riparian, shrubsteppe, mixed Gambel's Oak and Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands, Aspen, and mid-elevation conifer forest.  There are various birding hots pots within that park that include: The Narrows, Angel's Landing, Canyon Overlook, Emerald Pools, The Grotto, Hop Valley Trailhead, Kolob Canyons, Kolob Terrace Road, Kolob Terrace, Kolob Reservoir, Lava Point, Pa'rus Trail, Riverside Walk, Taylor Creek, Watchman Trail, Wheeping Rock, and the South Campground.  Zion Canyon is the most popular and most birded location, and is primarily riparian, dominated by Box Elder, Fremont Cottonwood, maple, and willow. Slot canyons off of Zion Canyon contain pinyon-juniper and Ponderosa pines as well.  Like most national parks there is an entrance fee, and Zion Canyon is closed to public traffic most of the year, so a shuttle system buses you form the visitor center up to the many locations within the park.

Birding:
The birding in Zion is about as varied as the habitats, and number of places to look for birds.  Since there will be specific hot spot information about areas within the park this is a general guide to birding in Zion--specifically Zion Canyon.  You can go birding year round in the park, but it is most popular from early April through October when the trees are green and bird life in the park is at its height.  The end of April through May is perhaps the absolute best, when migrants mix with resident birds and the cacophony of sounds fills the canyon.  The riparian habitat is home to southwest specialties such as SUMMER TANAGER and LUCY'S WARBLER, along with lots and lots of YELLOW WARBLERS.  CANYON and ROCK WREN singing bounces off the canyon walls, while the twittering of WHITE-THROATED SWIFT an be heard above.  Its not uncommon to see WILD TURKEY near the Zion Lodge or along the road.  Due to the mix of habitat, you also tend to get the mixed Gambel's and Pinyon-Juniper specialists close to or in the riparian habitat as well. BLACK-THROATED GRAY and VIRGINIA'S WARBLER, as well as BUSHTIT, and JUNIPER TITMOUSE are all seen with regularity during the summer months. Two species are often sought out in Zion Canyon--the first being the breeding PAINTED REDSTARTS that represent the northern limit of their range.  Typically found along the river walk or near the Temple of Sinawava, they can be hard to find, but are worth the search!  The other species is the "Mexican" SPOTTED OWL which is found throughout the park but can be hard to detect outside of breeding season when they are singing.  One of the best locations to look for them is in Refrigerator Canyon on the hike to Angel's Landing, as well as Hidden Canyon, and various other slot canyons in the park. The park is one of the most popular biridng parks in the state and the list of vagrants is impressive, including: BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD, GILDED FLICKER, RED-BREASTED SASPSUCKER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, HERMIT WARBLER, HARRIS'S SPARROW, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. In recent years CALIFORNIA CONDOR are occasionally seen perched high on canyon walls or soaring above--they are also seen with regularity on the Kolob Terrace.  The talking about birding could go on for pages--so instead I say to you--go birding in Zion--you won't regret it!

Directions:
From I-15 north of La Verkin, take Exit 27 east/south to La Verkin. From south of La Verkin, take I-15 exit 16 onto SR-9 eastbound.  One in La Verkin follow the signs onto SR-9 east to Zion National Park--about 20.3 miles away.  From Hwy 89 east of the park take the turn off to SR-9 and follow the signs to the east entrance.

Dry north end of Quichapa Lake from Google Street View

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Description:
Quichapa Lake is a large lake jsut west of Cedar City that doesn't get birded very often.  The large lake is entirely surrounded by private land, but there are several access point where viewers can scan the water for waterbirds and shorebirds.  The surrounding land is mostly agriculture, with some shrubsteppe and other semi-arid habitat.  Depending on time of year the lake may be very full and flooded all the way north of UT-56 on the north end.  It may also be very low and hard to find a good place to look for birds from.

Birding:
The lake is an oasis in the dry and often hot valley during migration and the summer.  Waterbirds use this as they pass north and south during migration and for Iron County it can provide a lot of species that would otherwise not show up here--most notably shorebirds.  The most notable sighting from Quichipa was Utah's first NEOTROPIC CORMORANT in 2007 which stayed for several weeks.  Other notable sightings here include EURASIAN WIGEON, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, WHIMBREL, DUNLIN, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, SABINE'S GULL, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, and LARK BUNTING.  Although this site is often skipped wen heading between the north and St. George, it may well be worht a quick stop during migration given the remote location.

Directions:
From I-15 in Cedar City take exiu 59 and head west on UT-56/200 North.  Follow the road about 6 miles.  Turn left onto 6300 West and go south for 1.5 miles.  Turn Right onto Shirts Creek Road and go till the road comes to a a T with dirt roads going north and south.  You can try viewing from anywhere along the lake here.  There are also two roads on the west side of the lake that get pretty close, but this is the best viewing area.