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2013 Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Field Trips
Photo by: Dr. Jimmy Chen. Cache County
Photo by: Deedee O'Brien. Pineview Reservoir
 = Field Trips 
= Workshops and Presentations  = Fun for KIDS |
| Thurs, May16 » Fri, May17 » Sat, May18 » Sun, May19 » Mon, May20 » |
| THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 | |
| #1 5:15am - 10:30am |
4-Mile Ranch Ron Greer, Val Grant, Bret Selman & Dick Mueller Tour the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award-winning 4-Mile Ranch. This is a working ranch that practices beneficial wildlife stewardship and is owned and operated by the Selman Family. Here you will have an opportunity to see the Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse and , with a little luck, their breeding dance. Other species that are often seen at the Ranch include: Sandhill Crane, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Northern Harrier, Grasshopper, Sage, Vesper, and Brewer’s Sparrows, Wild Turkey, Dusky and Ruffed Grouse Mountain Bluebird, and Hairy Woodpecker. Meet at the McDonald’s in Hyrum at 5:15 am. It is a moderate hike to the site. Accommodations will be arranged for those unable to hike. Bring water and snacks. Limit 20. Own vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #2 6am – 6pm |
Deseret Ranch
 Bill Fenimore & John Bellmon Enjoy a birding adventure on Deseret Land & Livestock, the largest ranch in Utah with two of Utah’s Birding Experts. This working ranch encompasses over 250,000 acres of diverse habitats including sub-alpine meadow, mountain forest, sage steppe, wet meadow, wetland marsh, ponds, lakes and streams with a bird list of 260 species. Expect a day list of 100 species or more including: Ferruginous Hawk, Sandhill Crane, Sage Grouse, Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s and Sage Sparrows, Hammond’s, Gray, Dusky, Olive-sided and Cordilleran Flycatchers, American Dipper, Lazuli Bunting, Caspian Tern, and migrant warblers. Bring your own lunch, snacks & water. Meet at the Park n ride lot on the NW corner of South Weber Drive and Hwy 89. Take Exit #405 off Utah Hwy 89, go west. The lot is just south of the Hwy 89 and I-84 junction, on the west side of UT Hwy 89. Limit 27. Mini Bus. Cost $60 |
| #3 7am – 4pm |
Jordanelle State Park & Rock Cliff
Recreation Area Wetlands
Kathy Donnell, Steve & Louise Brown The Jordanelle area offers outstanding birding in a wide variety of habitats. You will bird the wetlands below Jordanelle Dam, which has been designated a Utah Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA). This trip involves birding along a boardwalk through wetland and riparian woods, as well as the open water reservoir for migrating waterfowl. Possible species include: American Dipper, Warbling Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Swainson’s Thrush, American Redstart, Bullock’s Oriole, and Osprey. Bring your own lunch and water. Meet a trip leader in the ShopKo parking lot near the 13th East exit of I-80 in Salt Lake City. Limit 20. Own Vehicles Cost $13 |
| #4 7am – 2pm |
Willard Bay State Park Kevin Karlson and Valerie Frokjer Willard Bay is a spring migrant trap along the eastern edge of Great Salt Lake. The area also includes a variety of nesting passerines and shore birds. Stroll along trails and roadways around wetlands and uplands. Possible species include Gray Catbird, Bullock's Oriole, Western Tanager, Downy Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak, swallows, and various warblers. Bring your own lunch and water. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 15. Vans. Cost $33 |
| #5 7am – 2pm |
ISSR and Gillmor Sanctuary
Ella Sorensen, Ann Neville, Wayne Martinson Join three of Utah’s birding experts for a “behind-the-gates” tour of the south shore of Great Salt Lake, Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve (ISSR), a private mitigation property with numerous ponds, mudflats, and upland areas. The Gillmor Sanctuary is a National Audubon property, not open to the general public. Possible species include: American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Curlew, Wilson’s Phalarope, Snowy Plover, various waterfowl, grebes, swallows, Peregrine Falcon, and Golden Eagle. Bring your own lunch and water. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 20. Vans. Cost $33 |
| #6
7:30 - 11 am |
Kaysville
East Mtn. Wilderness Park Les Talbot Enjoy a leisurely walk through the foothills east of Kaysville. the gentle terrain through oakbrush forest provides a perfect habitat for local songbirds. there will be a short hike up to the Bonneville Shoreline. Possible bird sightings include: Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, American Robin, Western Scrub jay, House Finch, House Sparrow, Mourning Dove, and black-billed Magpie. Meet at Park. From US 89 take 400 North in Fruit Heights. go east up 650 North and park at the Kaysville East Mountain Wilderness Park. Limit 20. Own vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #7
7 am - 12 pm |
Swaner
EcoCenter Vivian Schneggenburger Swaner's high altitude wetland meadows and uplands are home to more than 70 species of birds. The Eco Center 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, swallows, various raptors and Yellow Warblers. Meet Vivian 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 www.swanerecocenter.org for more information. Limit 10. Own Vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #8 7:30am - 11:30am |
Murray/Jordan River Parkway:
"Focus" on Birds Richard B. Young Hosted on location using the Murray/Jordan River 'Kennecott nature Center' classroom, Richard Young will provide photographic images and advice to complement the Jordan River fieldtrip to follow. Jordan River Parkway extends along the Jordan River from the south end of the Salt Lake Valley almost all the way to Farmington Bay. Possible species include Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager, Bullock’s Oriole, Red-Winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, and ducks. Meet at 5044 S. Lucky Clover Lane. ( approx. 5100 South and 800 West) in Murray. Limit 15. Own vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #9 7:30 - 9 am |
Pontoon Boat on Great Salt Lake Dave Chizzone, Gonzo Tours Experience birding on Great Salt Lake in a 27 foot pontoon boat. This t rip goes from the Antelope Island State Park Marina to Egg Island - keeping a distance for nesting birds. Bring your camera and binoculars for a fun trip! Meet at Antelope Island State Park Marina. (I-15 exit #332, go west to Antelope Island). Weather Permitting Limit 14. Own Vehicles. Cost $35 |
| #10 5pm – 7pm |
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 resting, nesting and feeding area.. There are an amazing number of migratory shorebirds. 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 $75 |
| #11
5 - 9:30 pm |
Owl Prowl, Antelope Island State Park
Katie McVey, Wendy Wilson, Brian Ferguson Who, Who should go? Owl lovers that's WHO! Antelope Island is the largest island (28,000 acres) surrounded by Great Salt Lake. Picturesque views of the Lake and views of the Park's diversified wildlife make this a must trip. antelope Island is prime habitat for several species of owl: Great Horned, Barn, burrowing, Long-eared, and Short-eared owls. You will see Burrowing Owl artificial nesting burrows, as well as natural nesting burrows. The timing of this evening trip will be great for photographing the Island's famous sunsets. Join us for an owl prowl and see who-who-who is out and about. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 15. Vans. Cost $33. |
| #12 7 pm – 8:30 pm |
Sunset Pontoon Boat on Great Salt Lake Dave Chizzone, Gonzo Tours This new field trip will take you into the famous sunsets at Great Salt Lake. Bring your camera to capture the sun melting into the water. Meet at Antelope Island State Park Marina. (I-15 exit #332, go west to Antelope Island). Weather Permitting Limit 14. Own Vehicles. Cost $35 |
| #13 7 pm – 9 pm |
Family Owl Night at 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 and short- eared owl, we will discover what makes owls such wonderful hunters and we will delve into their dark and mysterious sides. Meet at the Ogden Nature Center 966 W. 12th St. Ogden, UT 84404 Own Vehicles. Cost $3 |
