East Carbon Sage Flats photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
SR-123 goes west to east for almost 7 miles from US-191/6 to the town of East Carbon.  The sagebrush flats along this road range form stunted and mixed with greasewood to huge patches of Big Sagebrush.  The open, and arid habitat is ideal for sagebrush specialists, and easy to bird on the way to the East Carbon WTP.  If making the loop from US-191 out to East Carbon, and Sunnyside Park, then down SR-124 through the junipers and foothills, and eventually on to Horse Canyon Road and back to US-191, there are several nice stops along this road on the side roads.  About 1/2 way to the WTP there is a road on the south side that goes over the railroad track before dead ending at private property in some tall sagebrush.  This is a great place to spend a few minutes early or late in the day looking around.  The road has a 65 MPH speed limit, and there aren't wide shoulders, so finding a pull off is advisable for birding here.

Birding:
During the breeding season there are a few easy to get sagebrush specialties here. SAGEBRUSH SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, and SAGE THRASHER are all possible.  Keep an eye on fence posts and power poles for GOLDEN EAGLE, RED-TAILED HAWK and other raptors.  WESTERN MEADOWLARK and COMMON RAVEN are present in decent numbers and will probably be the majority of the birds you see.

Directions:
From the on ramp at Exit 243 in Price, head south on US-191/6 for 13.3 miles. Turn left onto SR-123.  For the next 6.9 miles you are in the Sagebrush Flats.