Register for the 12th Annual
Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
May 13-17, 2010
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Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
PO Box 618, Farmington, UT 84037
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2010 Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Field Trips
Birding on Antelope Island's Fielding Garr Ranch
Birders on Bikes
 = Field Trips  = Workshops and Presentations  = Fun for KIDS |
| Thurs, May13 » Fri, May14 » Sat, May15 » Sun, May16 » Mon, May17 » |
| FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010 | |
| #8 5:45am – 8am |
Photography at Kaysville Ponds Brian Currie This is a new field trip focusing 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 |
| #9 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 |
| #10 7am – 12pm |
Swaner EcoCenter Larene Wyss 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 |
| #11 7am – 1pm |
Birds & Geology on Antelope Island 3 Billion Year Old Rocks Genevieve Atwood, Don Paul Join professor and geologist Genevieve Atwood and ornithologist Don Paul on a trip exploring Antelope Island State Park. Both tour leaders have spent a large portion of their professional careers studying the Great Salt Lake's geography, geology and birds. Professor Atwood will entrance you with descriptions of the Island's curious and ancient geology and Mr. 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 25. Mini-Bus. Cost $30 |
| #12 7am – 3pm |
Bear River MBR: "Behind-the-Gates'' Field Trip Lee Shirley & Al Trout Bear River Refuge with its 74,000 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 54. Bus. Cost $35 |
| Dedication 9am - 10am | Trail Dedication Utah Wildlife in Need (UWIN) will dedicate a new 1.3 mile nature trail and boardwalk at the Great Salt Lake Nature Center on Friday, May 14th at 9 am. The Nature Center is located west of the entrance to the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area and sits in 300 acres of the Great Salt Lake's diverse upland, wetland, lakes and stream habitat. Everyone is welcome to attend. |
| #13 5pm – 7pm |
Cutler & Mantua Reservoirs – 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 |
| #14 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. Cost $73 |
| #15 8:30am – 12pm |
Birding Rockport Reservoir via Car and Canoe or Kayak Joseph & Kathy Donnell, Dave Hanscom 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. Last year we saw a rare-in-Utah Yellow-billed Loon. You will have a grand birding experience at the reservoir using their canoes and kayaks. Meet 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 20. Own Vehicles. Cost $33 |
| #16 11am – 12:30pm |
Wetland Discovery Point at Utah Botanical Center Mark Larese-Casanova These ponds 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 new 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 $12 |
| #17 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 |
| #18 5:30pm – 9:30pm |
Owl Prowl on Antelope Island Michelle Croft 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. Naturalist Michelle will show 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 17. Vans. Cost $28 |
| #19 7:30pm – 9pm |
Family Owl Program – Ogden Nature Center ONC Staff This is an opportunity to learn about several species of owls native to Utah. See the ONC’s educational rehab owls (injured or imprinted owls that cannot be released to the wild) including Northern Saw-whet, Great Horned, Short-eared, and Barn Owl. Meet at ONC, 966 West 12th Street, Ogden. I-15 to 12th Street exit. Go east on 12th Street though the 2nd traffic light. ONC is on the north side- has large vertical banners along the front entrance.. Limit 45. Own vehicles. Cost $7 |
