Where to begin
”Water environments are very important as far as biodiversity is concerned. Wetlands are very productive in the types of wildlife that live there, and birds are just a reflection of that." -Dennis Shirley, native wildlife manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources, Springville
For many first timers looking to get into birding, the storefronts of Utah’s greatest lakes offer a stellar experience for all levels of birding. Perhaps you are visiting for an extended period and looking for a unique way to explore Utah's marvelous nature. Maybe you’ve lived here your entire life and are looking for an excuse to escape to the outdoors. No matter where you come from or what you are pursuing with your endeavors, Utah lake offers the greatest experiences with birds of the greater Western United States of America.
Utah Lake is the primary habitat and ecosystem for a number of bird species. From migratory winged friends to permanent residences, Utah Lake is without a doubt the home to a vast number of feathered creatures. For inexperienced birders there are a few topics to highlight before you make your way out to the shorelines. If you are looking for a new hobby to break into and expand your knowledge of birds and other wildlife creatures there are several ways to do it. Let’s break those down.
”Water environments are very important as far as biodiversity is concerned. Wetlands are very productive in the types of wildlife that live there, and birds are just a reflection of that." -Dennis Shirley, native wildlife manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources, Springville
For many first timers looking to get into birding, the storefronts of Utah’s greatest lakes offer a stellar experience for all levels of birding. Perhaps you are visiting for an extended period and looking for a unique way to explore Utah's marvelous nature. Maybe you’ve lived here your entire life and are looking for an excuse to escape to the outdoors. No matter where you come from or what you are pursuing with your endeavors, Utah lake offers the greatest experiences with birds of the greater Western United States of America.
Utah Lake is the primary habitat and ecosystem for a number of bird species. From migratory winged friends to permanent residences, Utah Lake is without a doubt the home to a vast number of feathered creatures. For inexperienced birders there are a few topics to highlight before you make your way out to the shorelines. If you are looking for a new hobby to break into and expand your knowledge of birds and other wildlife creatures there are several ways to do it. Let’s break those down.
Gear:
Apart from other outdoor hobbies, birding is attainable for every kind of individual. A few pieces of equipment that may enhance your experience while birding include binoculars, maps, high resolution camera, and perhaps a pair of sunglasses for the brighter days on Utah Lakes shorefront. Binoculars can help identify specific birds or flocks of birds that can be difficult to make out from a greater distance. You are going to want to know what you are observing. That is where the excitement comes from! A high-resolution camera will enhance your birding experience and give you the opportunity to reflect and identify species of birds after your day out on the lakefront. Whether they be digital or traditional paper maps, maps can assist you experience by understanding key areas where species enjoy flocking to. |
Educate Yourself: Know Before You Go!
There is no better way to enhance your experiences of birding on the Utah Lake shorefront than by educating yourself. Knowing where to go, what you are looking for, and what you see are all key elements in which add to your experience exploring the wildlife of Utah Lake. Mobile applications such as “Merlin Bird ID” by Cornell Lab allow users to identify species of birds during their excursions. When you educate yourself on the birds of Utah Lake, you will find that you are able to see through different eyes. Eyes that search for rare birds and curious cases of natural attraction. This is the turning point of where you day out on the lake becomes your new favorite hobby!
There is no better way to enhance your experiences of birding on the Utah Lake shorefront than by educating yourself. Knowing where to go, what you are looking for, and what you see are all key elements in which add to your experience exploring the wildlife of Utah Lake. Mobile applications such as “Merlin Bird ID” by Cornell Lab allow users to identify species of birds during their excursions. When you educate yourself on the birds of Utah Lake, you will find that you are able to see through different eyes. Eyes that search for rare birds and curious cases of natural attraction. This is the turning point of where you day out on the lake becomes your new favorite hobby!
By educating yourself prior to your days of birding you can observe certain species and their behavior while enjoying the day outside. For instance, the Northern Shoveler bird prefers to hangout around the shorefront from Vineyard beach-Provo Beach specifically in the tall grasses and marshland of the lakefront.
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Seasons:
When it comes to birding along Utah Lake, the time of year and weather play a significant role in the experience. As a season home to dozens of migratory bird species, the best seasons of birding are Spring and Fall. Throughout these seasons, the thousands of migratory birds can be observed at face front like no other time of year. Migratory species that can be observed best at these times of year include but are not limited to the White Pelican, The Great Blue Heron, Double Crested Cormorants and Western Grebes.
When it comes to birding along Utah Lake, the time of year and weather play a significant role in the experience. As a season home to dozens of migratory bird species, the best seasons of birding are Spring and Fall. Throughout these seasons, the thousands of migratory birds can be observed at face front like no other time of year. Migratory species that can be observed best at these times of year include but are not limited to the White Pelican, The Great Blue Heron, Double Crested Cormorants and Western Grebes.
Utah Lake Hatching Season:
The months of March through July offer the most unique and diverse birding experience that the state of Utah has to offer. The hatching season of Utah Lake is upon us, and it is waiting for you to see it. Collection of California Gulls, Great Blue Herons, Coots and Cormorants have begun poking their heads out of their protective eggshells and are ready to show the world their colors. Out of the 200 species of birds that have been spotted along Utah Lake, 47 of these species call the lake their permanent home. The lake serves as a primary breeding ground and first home for many of the migratory bird species that can be found here from the early Spring through the Summer seasons. |
How to get in Touch with the Birding Community
To understand the beauty of Utah’s greatest lakes and learn the ways of birding, there is no better way to throw yourself into it than by attending the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival. At this festival guests can join workshops, tour areas highly regarded amongst the experienced birding community, meet the biggest bird enthusiasts in the state and truly get a firsthand experience of birding in Utah state. Annually, one or two rare species of bird are spotlighted and highlighted for the festival. |
This year you can catch perhaps a once in a lifetime glimpse of the reclusive Flammulated Owl (photographed above). Professional wildlife and birding guides as well as experienced ornithologists appear every year to welcome the birding community of Utah and help them get their feet through the door. The Great Salt Lake annual Bird Festival is without a doubt the perfect way for all levels of birding enthusiasts to educate themselves, have fun and experience birding like they never have before!
Festival dates 2023: May 18-21, 2023
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Sources:
White, Mel. “Birding in Utah.” Audubon, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.audubon.org/news/birding-utah.
News, Deseret. “Utah Lake Is for the Birds at Hatching Time.” Deseret News, Deseret News, 1 June 1993,
https://www.deseret.com/1993/6/1/19049511/utah-lake-is-for-the-birds-at-hatching-time.
“Get to Know Utah Lake.” Utah Department of Natural Resources, 20 June 2017, https://naturalresources.utah.gov/dnr-
newsfeed/get-to-know-utah-lake#:~:text=There%20are%20also%20several%20species,home%20in%20Utah%20Lake's
%20wetlands.
red5. “Photo Gallery and Maps: Utah Lake, Jordan River, Canals Algal Bloom 2016.” Utah Department of Environmental
Quality, 11 Apr. 2019, https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/photo-gallery-and-maps-utah-lake-jordan-river-canals-algal-
bloom-2016.
White, Mel. “Birding in Utah.” Audubon, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.audubon.org/news/birding-utah.
News, Deseret. “Utah Lake Is for the Birds at Hatching Time.” Deseret News, Deseret News, 1 June 1993,
https://www.deseret.com/1993/6/1/19049511/utah-lake-is-for-the-birds-at-hatching-time.
“Get to Know Utah Lake.” Utah Department of Natural Resources, 20 June 2017, https://naturalresources.utah.gov/dnr-
newsfeed/get-to-know-utah-lake#:~:text=There%20are%20also%20several%20species,home%20in%20Utah%20Lake's
%20wetlands.
red5. “Photo Gallery and Maps: Utah Lake, Jordan River, Canals Algal Bloom 2016.” Utah Department of Environmental
Quality, 11 Apr. 2019, https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/photo-gallery-and-maps-utah-lake-jordan-river-canals-algal-
bloom-2016.