BIRDING SPOTS

where, when, and what to find

Old Farm (aka Hills Pond)

posted by Tim Avery at
on Friday, March 27, 2015 

Old Farm from Google Street View


Description:
Old Farm, also known as Hills Pond consists of several ponds in an area that historically was farm land in Salt Lake Valley but is now an apartment complex.  Currently the Fox Point Apartments surround the ponds, and birders don't visit very often.  Historically there isn't a lot of information about the ponds, but during the early 2000's the location was visited with some frequency during the winter months.  The center piece is one large circular pond south of the club house on Old Farm Road.  To the southwest of it is a narrow off shoot pond that stretches about 100'.  There are several other small waterways around the property but the main pond is most often birded.  There are 100's of apartment units, and traffic in and out is usually busy.  Large old deciduous trees cover the property.  Various shrubs and bushes also provide great ground cover.  Around the ponds there is plenty of cover for birds to hide, and the southwest pond often has overhangs.  Technically the property is private, but I have never had an issue birding here.  Simply drive in and park int he lot on the south side of the club house and walk to the pond across the road/

Birding:
Back in the early 2000's birders came here frequently in the winter months when WOOD DUCKS seemed to be an easy find.  No reports of this species have come in form here in a decade, but I think that more has to do with lack of birders checking it out.  MALLARD and CANADA GOOSE are common and other birds found in urban environments are in no short supply  MOURNING DOVE, LESSER GOLDFINCH, and AMERICAN ROBIN are common here, and there are probably quite a few species that pass through during the spring and the fall.  If you live nearby it might be worth stopping in once a week to see what's using the water. I would imagine a pretty good list of birds from here is possible.

Directions:
From the intersection of 3900 South and 700 East, head south on 700 East for .3 miles. Turn right onto Old Farm Road and go .2 miles to the parking area on your right.

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