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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The Birds Seen at the
Bird Festivals
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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 Field Trips
Photo by: Deedee O'Brien. GSL South Shore
Birders on Bus
 = Field Trips 
= Workshops and Presentations  = Fun for KIDS |
| Thurs, May17 » Fri, May18 » Sat, May19 » Sun, May20 » Mon, May21 » |
| SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2012 | |
| #22 6am – 12pm |
Antelope Island: Causeway & Garr Ranch Jeff Bilsky Bird a popular migrant trap at Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island. Birds crossing the west desert will into the Ranch's grove of giant cottonwood trees as the first green spot they see. The area offers several springs and trees with plenty of insects. This trip provides a rare early morning opportunity to visit this area before it opens to the public. Possible species: migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers; also owls, falcons, hawks, woodpeckers, and Virginia Rail. Birding will begin along the causeway and east side of the Island en route to the Ranch. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 10. Vans. Cost $33 |
| #23 7am – 9am |
Glover Ponds at Sunrise Les Talbot These ponds bring YOU into nature. The Great Salt Lake Nature Center deck and surrounding wetlands enhance your opportunity for close-up observation. A nearby Great Blue Heron rookery will be active and American Avocets and other shorebirds and waterfowl will be building nests. Other possible species include: Cinnamon Teal, four species of grebes, Snowy Egrets, Ruddy Ducks, American Pelicans, plus other shorebirds, and other wildlife. A spotting scope will be available. Meet at Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 15. Own Vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #24 7am – 12pm |
Birding by Ear Merrill Webb Every bird species has its own unique song. Imagine being able to identify birds that you cannot see in the canopy and dense scrub by their vocalizations. Spend the morning developing your listening skills. Likely species include a variety of warblers, vireos, chickadees and orioles including: Yellow, MacGillivray’s Orange-crowned warblers, Warbling Vireo, Bullock’s Oriole, and Black capped Chickadee. Meet at Davis County Legacy Events Center Limit 10. Vans. Cost $33 |
| #25 7:30am – 2pm |
Morgan County: Backyard Birding in Two Habitats Arnold Smith & Weston Smith Some of the best birding in Morgan County is found in the backyards of the houses in the quaint small towns of Morgan and Croydon in Weber Canyon. Cavity-nesting Mountain Bluebirds, Tree and Violet-green Swallows will be target birds. Bird feeders will be attracting Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bullock’s Orioles, Collared Doves, Lazuli Buntings and Hummingbirds. Surprises are always possible. If time permits we will also bird areas along the Weber River. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 20. Own vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #26 8am – 12pm |
Mammals on the Mountain Tops Jolene Rose, Steve Bates Join the Wildlife team from Antelope Island on a unique behind-the-gates tour to locate some of the more elusive mammals of Antelope Island: Californa Bighorn Sheep. along the way look for Bison, Pronghorn, Coyote and dozens of different birds. Participants will meet at the Fielding Garr Ranch at 8 am to pile into two park vehicles for a bumpy ride up to the top of the saddle, then hike about one half mile to an area where the sheep can often be found. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes it you have them, as the sheep won't let us get too close. Give your ticket as park entry fee. Limit 10. Own Vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #27 8:30am – 11am |
GSL Shorelands Preserve: Wings & Water Wetlands Exploration for Families with Children
Melinda McAllister, The Nature Conservancy Discover what the birds already know….Wetlands ROCK! You won’t believe what you’ll find as you get up close and personal with the plants and animals of the marshes along the boardwalk of the Nature Conservancy's Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve Visitor Center. Naturalists will engage you and your family in fun, hands-on activities at different stops along the mile-long boardwalk loop that will help you learn about water, soil, plants of the wetlands, and the millions of birds that use wetlands as an important stopping, resting, feeding, and breeding ground every year. You’ll even climb a 40-foot viewing tower for a birds-eye view of the wetlands and nesting ponds! Don’t miss out on this family-oriented exploration of one of the most exciting bird habits along the lake. (All ages are welcome- tower and boardwalk are wheelchair accessible). Meet at site: 3200 West Gentile, Layton. Turn south on 3200 West. Limit 20. Own Vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #28 9am – 12pm |
Burrowing Owls Field Trip Boyd White & Nacole Wilson This is the field trip that follows the 8 am workshop. You will get to see Burrowing Owl sites at Antelope Island State Park. Limit 10. Vans. Cost $18 |
| #29 9am – 12pm |
Farmington Bay WMA "Behind-the-Gates" (Units 1 & 2)
 Greg Miller, Kyle Stone & John Bellmon This is the field trip that follows the 8 am Birding for Families Workshop. Great Salt Lake is a western hemisphere shorebird preserve IBA and the Bay will be alive with residents and arriving ‘new’ migrants. You can be part of their adventure and see nest-building in action. Possible species include: Northern Shoveler, Grebes, Ring-necked Stilt, Cinnamon Teal, American Pelican, Great Blue Herons, and maybe Virginia Rails and Sora. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 54. Bus. Cost $25 |
| Artists, Vendors, Food & Crafts 10pm – 6pm |
Make & Take Crafts, Youth Activities Vendor Booths OPEN Food |
| #30 10am – 2pm |
Boy Scout Merit Badge & Youth Program
 Robert Mortensen & Todd Turner This audio/visual and experiential program is geared for youth ages 11-17. Learn about Great Salt Lake and surrounding wetlands, habitats, birds, the food chain and the important roles they each play in our environment. Program includes an easy nature walk to view and identify birds and other cool things in nature. Boy Scouts can complete the requirement for the Bird Study Merit Badge (Bring your own merit badge cards with the application portion signed by your unit leader). Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center and follow guide to nearby site. Limit 30 youth. Own Vehicles. Cost $5 (leaders free) |
| #31 11am – 12:30pm |
Wetland Discovery Point at Utah Botanical Center Mark Larese-Casanova These poinds are a waterfowl haven and provide great close up views of pelicans, kingfisher, grebes, and ducks. Trees near the Botanical Center invite warblers, vireos, and woodpeckers. The field trip will also include a tour of the Wetland Discovery Point education building. Learn all about a functioning wetland and discover multiple uses of wetlands, ecosystems and sustainable design in wetlands, landscapes and buildings. Meet at the Botanical Center 920 S. 50 W. Kaysville. Directions: From I-15 take exit #328 in Kaysville. Go east to traffic light at Main St. Turn right (south). Turn right at light on 350 South. Turn left at stop sign on 50 West. Limit 12. Own Vehicles. Cost $10 |
| #32 11am – 1pm |
Butterflies and Birds Alan Myrup This is the field trip that follows the workshop on Butterflies for Beginners. The field trip will go part way up Farmington Canyon to look at butterflies and birds. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center.. Limit 15. Own Vehicles. Cost $13 |
| #33 1pm – 4pm |
Burrowing Owl Field Trip Bonnie Messinger This is the field trip that follows the 11 am workshop. This trip will go to Antelope Island State Park to look for Burrowing Owls. Bring water and a snack. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 15. Vans. Cost $18 |
| #34 1pm – 4pm |
Farmington Bay "Behind-the-Gates" (Turpin Unit) Rich Hansen Farmington Bay WMA is a great resource for migrating and nesting birds. Several hundred thousand birds utilize this area during spring migration and 57 nesting species have been documented. The majority of dikes, ponds, canals, and upland areas are off-limits to the public during nesting season so this "behind-the-gates" tour is a privilege. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 54. Bus. Cost $25 |
| #35 1pm – 5pm |
Bike & Bird – Legacy Parkway Trail Eric McCulley Leave your car behind and bicycle from the Davis County Legacy Events Center to the Legacy Parkway Scenic Byway Trail System for a leisurely afternoon tour. It is a beautiful 20-mile round-trip ride south to the 500 South exit of the Legacy Parkway in Bountiful. Participants will learn about the local and international significance of Great Salt Lake, as you watch for migratory birds along the way. Meet at the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 20. Bring Your Own Bicycle. Cost $20 (includes Festival t-shirt) |
| #36 3pm – 5pm |
Kaysville Ponds
MarJean Muhlstein Kaysville Ponds offer a wonderful shelter and good food sources for waterfowl and small birds. Meet at Davis County Legacy Events Center and follow guide to site. Limit 20. Own Vehicles. Cost $12 |
| Keynote Address & Dinner 6 pm |
Keynote Speaker Greg Miller and Dutch oven dinner.
This is one of the most fun times of the Festival - good food, good company,
great speaker. Vegetarian meals available.
Cost $27 |
