Register for the 14th Annual
Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
May 17-21, 2012 on March 1, 2012
***Dinner Tickets with
Big Year Birder Greg Miller
on sale now!
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Mail Check to:
Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
PO Box 618, Farmington, UT 84037
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2012 Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Program
Yellow-headed blackbird
Student Art Contest Display
 = Field Trips 
= Workshops and Presentations  = Fun for KIDS |
| Thurs, May17 » Fri, May18 » Sat, May19 » Sun, May20 » Mon, May21 » |
| FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012 | |
| #11 6am – 8am |
Photography at Kaysville Ponds
 Brian Currie This is field trip focuses on bird photography with digital cameras and does not include digiscoping. Kaysville Ponds offer wonderful shelter and food sources for waterfowl and small birds. Early morning light will create interesting photographs. Meet at the Kaysville Ponds, 920 S. 50 W., Kaysville. Limit 10. Own Vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #12 6am – 12pm |
Legacy Nature Preserve
"Behind-the-Gates" Eric McCulley This is a rare opportunity to tour the new Legacy Nature Preserve (mitigation property for wetlands impacted by Legacy Parkway). You will be guided along remnant oxbow features of the Jordan River to view migrant and resident waterfowl and shorebirds. You will also be treated to views of the only Bald Eagle nest in northern Utah. The Bald Eagle pair that nests there have annually produced 2-3 fledgling eaglets over the last 12 years. Rubber boots are advised. Bring water and snacks. Meet at Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 10. Vans. Cost $33 |
| #13 7am – 12pm |
Swaner EcoCenter Les Talbot Swaner’s high altitude wetland meadows and uplands are home to more than 70 species of birds. The EcoCenter is conveniently located just off I-80 in the heart of Kimball Junction. Sandhill Cranes have successfully nested and reared young in recent years and are very visible in the spring months. Enjoy gorgeous mountain views and walk in areas of the preserve normally closed to the public. Possible species include Mountain Bluebirds, Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, swallow, various raptors and Yellow Warblers. Meet in the SE corner of the ShopKo parking lot (behind Red Lobster) in Salt Lake City (exit 1300 East off I-80). Wear your ‘mud shoes’ just in case. A visit to the Swaner Ecocenter is included in the ticket fee. Take time to explore the engaging exhibits in the greenest building in Utah! Visit swanerecocenter.org for more information. Limit 10. Own vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #14 7am – 12pm |
Birding by Ear with Greg Miller Greg Miller, John Bellmon Join our Keynote Speaker, Greg Miller, as he explores Mueller Park listening for birds. There will be walking on the trail - flat and some elevation. Bring water and snacks. Meet at Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 10. Vans. Cost $13 |
| #15 7am – 1pm |
Birds & Geology on Antelope Island 3
Billion Year Old Rocks Genevieve Atwood, Don Paul, Wendy Wilson This trip explores Antelope Island State Park. Professor Atwood will entrance you with descriptions of the Island's curious and ancient geology and Don Paul will beguile you with amusing and informative birding tales and the importance of the Great Salt Lake for migratory birds in the Western Hemisphere. Possible species include: Longbilled Curlew, Marbled Godwit, American Avocet, Sanderling, Western Sandpiper, shorebirds, gulls and Chukar. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 26. Mini-Bus. Cost $33 |
| #16 7am – 3pm |
Bear River MBR: "Behind-the-Gates''
Field Trip
Lee Shirley & Al Trout Bear River Refuge with its 78,000 acres of developed wetlands, is world famous as one of the premier birding marshes. Join Lee Shirley and former refuge manager, Al Trout, as they guide you on a "behind-the-gates" trip through the nationally known Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. As we travel through this amazing birding paradise, Al will explain how the refuge was rebuilt after the devastating flood of the 1980's and how precious water is managed for the benefit of the wildlife. About 50 species of birds are normally seen including: Black Terns, Franklin Gulls, Virginia Rails, Caspian Terns, several species of sparrows, etc. Please bring your own lunch, water and binoculars. Bird lists will be provided Limit 27. Mini-Bus. Cost $40 |
| #17 5pm – 7pm |
Cutler Reservoir – Bird by Canoe or Kayak Phil Douglass Paddling these reservoirs is sure to provide you with close up views of birds that use this riparian corridor and wetlands-as well as a workout! Meet at the NW corner of the Wal-Mart parking lot in Brigham City at 7am to follow guide. Take I-15 north to exit #362 (Hwy 89 to Logan); go east. Wal-Mart will be on your right in the shopping center. Canoes and kayaks will be provided. Limit 6. Own Vehicles. Cost $33 |
| #18 8am – 10am |
Birds & Spurs Wrangler Ron Brown Cowboy up! You are in the West, so let’s go birding by horseback along the east side of Antelope Island. This two-hour guided tour features birds in the wetland, sage and grassland habitats, near the historic Fielding Garr Ranch and the south-side of the Island. There are an amazing number of migratory shorebirds that use Antelope Island as a resting, nesting and feeding area.. Experienced wranglers who are intimately familiar with the Island’s history, flora and fauna will be our guides. Enjoy a leisurely ride, spectacular scenery and birds. Possible species include Long-billed Curlew, Burrowing Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Grasshopper Sparrow, and water birds. Bring binoculars, water, and snacks. Meet at the historic Fielding Garr Ranch at Antelope Island State Park. (I-15 exit #332, go west to Antelope Island). Limit 6. Own Vehicles. Cost $73 |
| #19 8:30am – 3pm |
Birding Rockport Reservoir via Car and Canoe
or Kayak Joseph & Kathy Donnell, Vivian Schneggenburger Rockport Reservoir's nearby springs host many ducks, grebes, herons, and raptors (including nesting Osprey) with the smaller birds occupying the adjacent trees and shrubs. You will have a grand birding experience at the reservoir using their canoes and kayaks. Meet Vivian at 8 am in the SE corner (behind Red Lobster) of the ShopKo parking lot next to the 1300 E. exit of I-80 in Salt Lake City. Bring water, binoculars, camera, snack/lunch. Dress for weather. Limit 12. Own Vehicles. Cost $33 |
| Artists, Vendors, Food 12-7 pm | Student Art Display & Vendor Booths OPEN
12 - 7 pm |
| #20 1:30 - 6 pm |
Great Salt Lake Institute Ecology Trip
Jaimi Butler Come along with Westminster College's Great Salt Lake Institute for an exploration of the unique ecology of our local inland sea. Brine shrimp, microbes and flies, Oh MY! There is so much more to the Lake than just birds! We will travel to Antelope Island, stopping along the way to discuss the ecology of GSL and with hands-on activities to show you why the lake is critical for millions of birds every year. This field trip is geared towards the young and young-at-heart and is sure to be exciting for anybody that would like to know more about the ecology of GSL. Bring water and snacks, sandals/boots, sun hat, sunscreen, and binoculars. We have binoculars you can borrow, call 801-832-2308 and we will bring them for you to use. Meet at the Davis County Events Center. Limit 20. Vans. Cost $15 |
| #21 2pm – 5pm |
Burrowing Owl Field Trip Bonnie Messinger This is a field trip to Antelope Island State Park to look for Burrowing Owls. Limit 15. Vans. Cost $18 |
| Workshop 4pm – 5pm |
Birding by Ear
Greg Miller Join Keynote speaker Greg Miller to learn what he does best- birding by ear. He will review tips to make this skill easier for you. |
| Reception & Book Signing 5-6 pm | 'Quackers & Cheese' Reception
Welcome for Festival Attendees, Art Contest Entries & Vendors Greg Miller, Bill Fenimore, Jerry Liguori, Rosalie Winard Book Signing Sponsored by Commissioners' Cup Golf Tournament, Wild About Birds and Country Inn A& Suites by Carlson, Bountiful Meet in Davis County Legacy Events Center Building #3 |
| Presentation 5:45-6pm | Student Art Contest Awards
Sponsored by the Commissioners' Cup Golf Tournament and Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper, Ceremony with presentation of Awards Davis County Legacy Events Center Building #3 |
| Special Presentation 6-7 pm |
Family Owl Night – Ogden Nature Center
ONC Staff Are owls really wise? Do all owls hoot? and what's with those big, yellow eyes? Join experts from the Ogden nature Center as we decode the myths surrounding these amazing birds. With the help of the ONC's great-horned owl, short-eared owl, and northern swaw-whet owl we will discover what makes owls such wonderful hunters and we will delve into their dark and mysterious sides. |
