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The Birds Seen at the
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2013 Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Program

= Field Trips       = Workshops and Presentations       = Fun for KIDS

Thurs, May16 »     Fri, May17 »     Sat, May18 »     Sun, May19 »     Mon, May20 »

 

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013
#26 6am – 12pm	Antelope Island: Causeway & Garr Ranch Jeff Bilsky & Jolene Rose Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island is a popular migrant trap. 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
#27 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 annualy 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
#28 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
#29 7am – 11am	Shorebirds made  Simpler - Antelope Island Causeway  Kevin karlson & John Bellmon This hands-on fieldtrip will concentrate on a basic approach to shorebird ID using both non-changeable physical impressions and details of plumage and feather patterns.  Kevin will explain how to build a foundation for shorebird ID using basic impressions of size, shape and body language - then add plumage and feather patterns.  Suitable for birders of all levels.  Free workshop follows fieldtrip.  Meet at Davis County Legacy Events Center Limit 27. Mini-bus. Cost $35
#30 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 includes 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 the Davis County Legacy Events Center. Limit 10. Vans. Cost $33
#31 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
#32 7:30am – 9am	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
Workshop 8am – 9am	Birding for Families    Bill Fenimore, Wild About Birds Nature Center in Layton You will learn how to look at a bird so that you can later identify and put a name to it when referring to your field guide. The workshop will help you recognize the topography of a bird's habitat, its size, plumage characteristics, and differences in breeding, mature, immature, and winter plumages. Workshop is designed to be user-friendly and will be especially geared toward families who would like to bird together. Will include photographs illustrating the concepts presented. Workshop is FREE. Tickets required for Field Trip #35 at 9 am.
Workshop 8am – 9am	Improve Your Bird Photography Skills     Christopher Balmer, Perfect Light Camera Improve your bird photography skills.  This workshop will be primarily for people who have cameras with manual functions, such as SLR/DSLR and hybrid cameras.  But all are welcome.
Workshop 8am – 10am	Bird Banding    Howard Browers and John Cavitt Bird banding is a tool used worldwide to obtain data on the ecology of migratory birds.  Information gathered includes bird ranges and migrational movements.  Recent data shed light on vital rates such as survivorship and productivity. Mist nets will be set up in an attempt to capture local songbirds to provide a live demonstration of the types of data collected.
#33 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
Workshop 9 - 10am	Flowering Plants of the Wasatch  Steve Hegji Steve will cover the common flowering plants of the Wasatch foothills and the eastern edge of the Great Basin.  He will share beautiful pictures selected from a variety of plant families, along with interesting 'stories' about many of the plants.  Check out his book 'Wasatch Wildflowers' and app 'Flora of the Wasatch'.
Workshop 9 - 10am	Birds of South America     Dennis Shirley & Bryan Shirley Thinking about birding new areas?  With the Amazon, the Andes, the Pantanal, Patagonia, and so many more places to visit, South America is a birder's dream.  This workshop will help you prepare for a trip by covering some of the best birding areas.  We will discuss birding hotspots, great birding lodges, and other topics to help you get ready to have the birding trip of a lifetime.
Workshop 9 - 10am	Falcons of North America             Ben Woodruff, Sky Masters North America, spanning Canada, USA and Mexico, is home to some of the most amazing and beautiful falcon species in the world.  Ben will share live falcons, little known identification tips, and information on where to find them.  Northern neotropical falcons will be covered as well.  Many truths and misconceptions are told of these often praised, but little understood raptors.  Come learn to separate fact from fiction.
#34 9am – 12pm	Burrowing Owls Field Trip Boyd White & Elissa Story You will get to see Burrowing Owl sites at Antelope Island State Park. Limit 10. Vans. Cost $25
#35 9am – 12pm	Farmington Bay WMA "Behind-the-Gates" (Units 1 & 2)     Kyle Stone & Adam Brewerton This is the field trip that follows the 8 am Birding for Families Free 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
#36 9am – 1pm	Boy Scout Merit Badge & Youth Program    Dallin Henderson & Todd Turner This is an exciting opportunity for scouts 11-17 to earn the Bird Study Merit Badge.  Learn about the 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. (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)
Artists, Vendors, Food & Crafts 10pm – 6pm	OPEN:  Make & Take Crafts, Youth Activities Vendor Booths  Food
Youth Activity 10am – 4pm	Youth Activities: Fun and  Educational Too!                                                                    Kathi Stopher & Katie McVey, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Shore to Shore passport!!! Flock to the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival on Saturday and you will get to enjoy a lot of fun youth activities and take-home items.
Workshop 10am – 11am	Pelican Peculiarities    Ogden Nature Center Delve into the life history of the American White Pelican with the Ogden Nature Center and a feathered friend.  Learn cool pelican facts, hear their call and meet a live pelican.
Workshop 10am – 11am	Mammals of Antelope Island    Wendy Wilson Antelope Island contains many wonders, from  history and geology, to the many fresh water springs that support an abundance of life.  This workshop will talk about the variety of mammals on the Island and how they survive.  This will be a fun, hands-on presentation appropriate for audiences old and young.
Workshop 10am – 11am	Butterflies for Beginners (Field Trip #37 follows) Alan Myrup Butterflies are Alan's passion.  He has taught many people about how exciting butterflies are.  This will be a fun and colorful workshop.  Workshop is free.  Field Trip #37 requires a ticket.
Youth Activity 10am – 12pm	Make and Take Bird Houses -Home Depot, Centerville Bird House Kits, Outdoor booth This is a great activity for youth. Home Depot stays as long as kits are available.
Workshop 10am – 12pm	Bird Banding    Howard Browers and John Cavitt Bird banding is a tool used worldwide to obtain data on the ecology of migratory birds.  Information gathered includes bird ranges and migrational movements.  Recent data shed light on vital rates such as survivorship and productivity. Mist nets will be set up in an attempt to capture local songbirds to provide a live demonstration of the types of data collected.
Workshop 11am – 12pm	The ABC's of What to Feed Your Backyard Birds  Larry Kienke, Feed the Birds and more in Bountiful Larry will review the basics of feeding birds in your backyard.
Presentation 11am – 12pm	Hogle Zoo Live Birds Hogle Zoo Get an up-close view of some of Utah's feathered neighbors.  Join Utah's Hogle Zoo as volunteers indroduce you to local birds that share our Utah wilderness.  Learn what makes an owl such a stealthy hunter, what adaptation enables falcons to fly so quickly and see that flying feathered predators are smaller than some of the birds in your very own backyard.
#37 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
Workshop 11:30am – 1pm	Shorebirds made Simpler   Kevin Karlson, Keynote Speaker This workshop presents an alternate approach to shorebird identification.  It encourages an initial evaluation of physical features to form a surprisingly accurate foundation before analyzing feather details or plumage patterns.  Conscious evaluation of distinctive body motion and behavior for each species further enhances your ability to really 'know' shorebirds.  Comparison photos include dowitchers, large and small plovers, Western and Semipalmated sandpipers and the two willets.
Workshop 12pm – 1pm	Black-crowned Night Heron Festival Spotlight Bird Don Paul The Black-crowned Night Heron is a summer resident within the GSL Ecosystem, often found perched alone along wetland margins.  It is an opportunistic feeder that has a habit of sitting in one place in wait for any unlucky small creature to pass by.  Ti is true to its name and often most active at night and during the crepuscular hours.  Come learn more about this special marsh bird and some of its notable life habitats.
Workshop 12pm – 1pm	How To's & 10 Tips for Great Wildlife Photography   Doug Sims, Photographix Camera Club Come and learn the top 10 of what makes a great landscape image- from envisioning scene to setting your camera.  Tips for beginners to advanced.
Workshop 12pm - 1pm	History of Falconry, Live Birds Ben Woodruff, Sky Masters Falconry began over 5,000 years ago as a way for people to obtain food.  Having been practiced in virtually every country in the world, the United Nations recently declared falconry to be an intangible world heritage sport.  But what exactly is falconry?  Why do people still practice it today?  Come find out the answers.
#38 1pm – 4pm	Burrowing Owl Field Trip Bonnie Messinger 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 $25
Presentation 1pm – 2pm	Hogle Zoo Live Birds Hogle Zoo Get an up-close view of some of Utah's feathered neighbors.  Join Utah's Hogle Zoo as volunteers indroduce you to local birds that share our Utah wilderness.  Learn what makes an owl such a stealthy hunter, what adaptation enables falcons to fly so quickly and see that flying feathered predators are smaller than some of the birds in your very own backyard.
Workshop 1pm – 2pm	Owls from Around the World Bryant Olsen Owls are one of the most enigmatic and mysterious of birds, which makes them much desired to be encountered.  In this workshop we go over the basics about owls: individual profiles on all the major species of owls in Utah and their relatives; how to find them; when and where to look; their calls and habits; as well as an introduction to their biology, ecology and taxonomy.
Workshop 1pm – 2pm	Out National Symbol- The American Bald Eagle Ogden Nature Center Did you know that the bald eagle had to compete with the turkey to become our national symbol?  It's tru!  Join us for a special program with bald eagle Des Ta Te.  come learn about these special birds, how they overcame near extinction, and discover how they become our national symbol.
#39 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
#40 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
Workshop 2pm – 3pm	Cuckoo for Cottonwoods: Conserving the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Dr. Frank Howe, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a rare and elusive riparian dweller in the West: it is primarily a species of the tropics, but comes to Utah for a few summer months to breed.  Our cuckoo has nothing to do with keeping time (the European Cuckoo is the one in the clocks), though it is said to predict the weather and was called the 'Raincrow' by early settlers.  This is an eruptive species, swelling in abundance during some years of food abundance then virtually disappearing from Utah in other years.  Come hear about what is being done to better understand and conserve this fascinating and enigmatic bird.
Workshop 2pm – 3pm	How to build your own birdhouse Dallin Henderson We will build two different styles of nesting boxes and one bird house.  We will have plans and designs for several other styles to view and several completed models to look at.  This is a fun workshop to attend.
Workshop 2pm-3 pm	Are Birds Really Dinosaurs?  Live Birds Ben Woodruff, Sky Masters In recent years paleontologists have made some of the most amazing prehistoric discoveries in the history of human kind.  These discoveries have completely re-written our understanding of birds and dinosaurs.  Have you heard?  Ben will share these discoveries and explain the bird - dinosaur connection.  You will never look at birds the same way again.
Workshop 3pm – 4pm	Breeding Atlas of Western Colonial Waterbirds   Dr. John Cavitt, Weber State University Colonial waterbirds are a diverse assemblage of species that share important characteristics of their ecology and natural history.  These birds depend on specific and oten limited aquatic habitats for much of their life and generally breed in high-density groups or colonies.  Lack of information about them impedes management and conservation abilities.  This workshop summarizes the finding of the upcoming publication, 'Western Atlas of Breeding Colonial Waterbirds', authored by John Cavitt, Stephanie Jones and Tara Zimmerman.
Workshop 3pm – 4pm	Citizen Science & the American Kestral Nikki Wayment HawkWatch International Come learn how to play a part in the research surrounding this small falcon.  Discover opportunities related to becoming a Citizen Scientist, instructions on how to build and register kestrel boxes, and meet a real American Kestrel named Yaki.
Workshop 3pm – 4pm	Flying: It's not just for the birds Adam Brewerton We are going to talk about BATS.  We will discuss some of their amazing adaptations, like flying and echolation; the different types of bats; species in Utah and how to find them.  Even though they may seem like scary creatures of the night, we will talk about why we should love them!
Workshop 4pm – 5:30pm	Movie Showing   'Wings of Thunder' and/or 'Into a World of Wonder' Davis County Legacy Events Center building 1.  Take this opportunity to enjoy showings of these wonderful movies about the millions of birds that stop at Great Salt Lake and also the animals and distance of Antelope Island that create awe in visitors to Utah.
Keynote Address & Dinner 6 pm	Keynote Speaker Kevin Karlson 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

 

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