Antelope Island photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
So one of the major issues with eBird is how and when hot spots were created.  For Antelope Island State Park there is an overarching location for the entire park including the causeway.  There is also this location which is supposed to be any location on the island.  Originally there were only 3 spots for the park--one for the causeway, one for the island, and one for the ranch.  But over the years, trying to be more precise with the data the various locations for the park have popped up.  On the island there are now the following locations:

Marina
Visitor Center & Loop Road
Lady Finger Point
White Rock Bay
Road to Garr Ranch
Garr Ranch
South
Backcountry (incl. Frary Peak Trail)

These are all very specific locations, some with habitat only found at said locations, while others have overlapping habitats, and in some cases are right next to each other.  Many birders who just use eBird to keep lists will create just one checklist for their entire visit to the island and put it on either the causeway, the island location, or the state park location.  Some will even put it on one of the other specific locations skewing the data slightly for those spots.  It is all confusing and there is no great solution for the near future.  But looking at it from this perspective will hopefully help.  The causeway is a very different habitat from anywhere on the island, and the birds you're going to see are very different.  Separating your causeway list from the island list will help at a basic level.  Keeping lists for even more specific locations will make the data even better.  Birding wise, I'm not going to talk about anything else for this location, as there is lots of information on those pages I mentioned above.  At a minimum if you want to use this spot try to do it separately from the causeway to help keep things clean.

Directions:
In Layton, take I-15 exit 332 west bound onto Antelope Drive for about 7 miles to the entrance station to the park.  After paying an entrance fee continue about 6 miles across the causeway to the island. For specific directions to locations on the island see pages for the above listed hot spots.

Antelope Island Marina from Google Street View

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Description:
The marina at Antelope Island State Park is used to launch various craft on to the Great Salt Lake.  Most use is by the state as well as sailors launching private sail boats.  The marina has also been used by a minority of "hunters" who have taken to the practice of stalking birding listservs to attempt to hunt the rare ocean species of waterfowl that over winter here in small numbers.  Due to the drying up of the lake the marina sees far less usage then in former years.  The small marina has jetties/breakwalls on the north and west sides, while the causeway provides the break to the east.  To the south is the island with a decent amount of shrubsteppe habitat in direct view of the marina.  The north jetty can be walked while you can drive the west jetty via the south side of the parking lot at the marina.  Just follow the dirt road as it loops to the west.   The habitat at the marina is shrubsteppe as well as disturbed land, with a beach on the north side of the north jetty facing out.  Mud flats inside the jetties, and on the outside provide additional shorebird habitat.  The open water of the Great Salt Lake to the north and the west is the primary habitat at this location.

Birding:
As with several locations on the island, the marina isn't a major birding destination, but a small part of the great birding on the island.  Scanning the shoreline inside the jetties, and on the beach to the north can turn up shorebirds in the spring and fall including RED-NECKED and WILSON'S PHALAROPE.  The beach here is a spot where RED PHALAROPE has been seen historically and is always worth checking.  Small flocks of WESTERN SANDPIPER are occasionally seen sheltering here, and have had BAIRD'S and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS mixed in. During the winter months SNOW BUNTING has been reported along the west jetty.  Sea ducks like HARLEQUIN DUCK, LONG-TAILED DUCK, SURF, WHITE-WINGED, and BLACK SCOTER have all been observed inside the breakwater as well as to the north from the jetties. Also during the winter look to the brushy areas south of the marina for AMERICAN TREE SPARROW.  In spring and summer breeding RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS can be seen and heard in the same area.  In May 2013 a LARK BUNTING was seen just up hill from the marina to the south.  One potential for the area that isn't often taken advantage of is a lake watch.  The area on the jetty provides a great vantage point looking north and to see birds following the causeway then heading west around the island in stormy weather.  A LONG-TAILED JAEGER in September 2014 was seen in this general area and these types of rare finds probably pass the island annually going unnoticed as they cruise out over the open water.

Directions:
In Layton, take I-15 exit 332 west bound onto Antelope Drive for about 7 miles to the entrance station to the park.  After paying an entrance fee continue about 6 miles across the causeway to the island. The marina will be on your right when you arrive.

Farmington Bay WMA from above photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area needs no introduction to local birders.  The bay has long been a popular birding destination along the southeast side of the Great Salt Lake.  The marsh stretches across two counties and has numerous freshwater ponds enclosed by numerous dikes.  The Great Salt Lake lays to the west of the wetlands but due to lowering lake levels there are now flats that are often brackish and heavily covered in phragmites  The marsh is also dominated by phragmites, but also has several small patches of cottonwoods and other trees--and several dead snags that are disappearing with time.  An education center on the north edge of the WMA sits near a heron rookery.  The main WMA area has one road that comes in from the north and ends at a 4 way parking area with dikes going to the south, west, and east.  Dike Road heads back to the north.  There is also a rarely used by birders south entrance near Bountiful Pond.

Birding:
You can't really bird Farmington Bay wrong.  This popular location probably has birders at it 7 days a week almost 365 days a year.  The main entrance from the north onto Dike Road is open all the way to the 4 way parking area in the center of the marsh from October through February.  Typically the road is closed from the Egg Island parking area from March through September.  Exact dates can be found by contacting the DNR.  This area of the bay is the most popular for birding.  From the north entrance the first hundred yards pass shallow ponds and continue past a patch of cottonwoods before passing several more small ponds and marsh.  To the south of this area is the main rest pond.  The road jogs right/west here following more ponds on the north side, and marsh on the south side of the road.  After about a mile at Egg Island there is a view area where you can view a large pond to the north, playas and marsh to the south and west, and the main rest pond to the east.  From here the road goes south along the rest pond which stretches all the way to the 4-way parking area on the east side of the road.  To the west are playas and marsh.  Two canals also leave the rest pond towards the Great Salt Lake from here.  At the 4 way there is a pond that stretches to the southwest, and another to the south east.  The dikes can be walked, or ridden on bike and can take you deep into the marsh.  Most birders don't venture past the 4-way.

During the fall waterfowl migration brings 10's of 1,000's of dabbling ducks followed by divers headed south.  As long as there is open water on here there will be waterfowl.  GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, RUDDY DUCK, and NORTHERN SHOVELER often dominate the large rafts of ducks that are augmented by other arrivals including REDHEAD, CANVASBACK, LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, all three species of merganser, and almost any duck species you can think of.  BLUE-WINGED TEAL can be picked up here pretty easily in the late spring early summer, often jsut inside the gates. Rare waterfowl such as SCOTERS and LONG-TAILED DUCK occasionally show up here.  WOOD DUCK are recorded with some frequency here as well.  Almost annually EURASIAN WIGEON are reported--given the sheer number of waterfowl this makes sense.  When TUNDRA SWAN arrive from the north they can be found by the 1,000's here until the water freezes over.  Some stay all winter when open water is available. Many return in the spring headed back north and from time to time TRUMPETER SWAN are found mixed in.  All 5 species of regularly occurring geese in Utah can be seen here at some point during most years.  During the winter months raptors are typically seen in decent numbers here.  In some years hundreds of BALD EAGLES use the WMA property to rest and feed.  Most years the state does a carp kill here providing lots of food for the eagles.  ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK are found here all winter, and HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWK have been seen most winters here in recent years.  All 4 species of regular Utah Falcons can be found here, and NORTHERN HARRIER are common.  SHORT-EARED and BARN OWL are often seen along Dike Road, and in harsh winters they can be seen during daylight hours in search of food.  Gulls are also a major pull here in the winter, as the WMA sits adjacent to the Bountiful Landfill.  The carp kill also helps attract gulls.  During the winter 10 species of gull have been observed, including multiple WESTERN, ICELAND, and Utah's single day high count for LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.  In the fall of 2013 a LITTLE GULL was found here, a mega rarity for Utah.  Aside from gulls both PARASITIC and POMARINE JAEGER have been recorded here during the fall. Shorebirds also use the marsh for migration and breeding.  Almost all of Utah's annual shorebirds can be seen here.  WHIMBREL have been recorded in the playas south of Egg Island in recent years during spring migration.  HUDSONIAN GODWIT have been recorded here a couple of times seen with large flocks of MARBLED GODWITS during migration.  RUFF has been observed on the pond just inside the gates.

And the list could go on and on--songbirds can be found here during migration, breeding, and the winter.  In the winter AMERICAN TREE SPARROW can be found here.  SNOW BUNTING, LAPLAND, and CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR have all been reported here during the winter also.  During the breeding season the cacophony of COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, MARSH WREN, SONG SPARROW, and both SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL make for a fun listen.The bird list is huge and you never know what you may find during a day birding here.

Directions:
From I-15 south of Farmington take exit 322.  At the end of the on ramp take the first right onto 200 west/I-15 Frontage Road.  Drive a 1/2 mile to the stop sign at Glovers Lane.  Turn right onto Glovers Lane and drive 1.4 miles to 1325 West and the entrance to Farmington Bay on your left.  Turn left and proceed south onto the WMA.  Alternatively, from north of Farmington, take I-15 exit 325.  Turn right at the end of the off ramp onto 100 West.  Drive .6 miles to Clark Lane and take a right.  Continue for .5 miles to 1525 West and take a left.  Continue south 1.2 miles to Glovers Lane.  Take a left on Glovers Lane and go .3 miles to 1325 West on your right.  Turn right and proceed into the WMA.

Ogden Bay North Parking Lot photo by Mike Hearell

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Description:
Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area -- North Parking Lot is the north access to Ogden Bay WMA. The WMA is a State owned and operated wetland area that is managed for waterfowl. From the parking area you can access open water, wetlands, playa, canals and upland grass/brush. The areas to the North of the parking area are privately owned agricultural lands.

Birding:
The main area for birds at this location is a shallow pond just SE of the main gate/walk-in access. Although birding can be good at this location year round, the best times of the year are in the Spring and during late Summer. In the Spring the pond is kept with about 30% exposed mud flats that attract many wading birds such as AMERICAN AVOCETS, both species of YELLOWLEGS and the largest accumulation of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER in the county. After the pond is flooded in late April it turns to mainly waterfowl and WHITE-FACED IBIS. Some rarities that have been found at this location are TRUMPETER SWAN, GREATER SCAUP, SWAMP SPARROW and TROPICAL KINGBIRD. The slowest time of the year for birding is during waterfowl season (Oct-Feb).

Directions:
Ogden Bay North Parking Lot is 9.5 miles (20 minutes) from the Ogden-12th ST. exit in Weber County. After taking the 12th ST. Exit, head west on 12th (1200 S) for 7.6 miles where you will turn south onto 7500 W. Travel south on 7500 W until the road dead ends at the parking area to Ogden Bay WMA north access. Feb-Sept this is as far as you can travel in a vehicle but, walk-in access is available along the east road year round. Oct-Feb (waterfowl season) you can continue to two other parking areas, one is directly south and one is 1/4 mile to the west.

Thanks to Mike Hearell for this location submission.

Antelope Island Causeway from Google Street View

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Description:
The Antelope Island Causeway is the lead in to Antelope Island State Park.  The 6 mile causeway is lined by the Great Salt Lake.  The first several miles in recent years have been dry on the south side, and dry and/or brackish water on the north side.  After the first bridge shallow water and mudflats appear on both sides of the causeway, eventually the water reaches the shore of the causeway for the remainder of the road to the island.  The 2nd bridge near the island had deeper water that flows rapidly from the south side into the north.   Besides the the primary habitat mentioned above the road is lined with short grass and some shrubs including Rabbit Brush that provide additional habitat for some prairie birds.

Birding:
The causeway is the go to spot for many birders week in and week out.  It has produced every species of shorebird recorded in Utah at least once.  The largest migrant flocks of WILSON'S PHALAROPE come through each July, numbering in the 100,000's.  Smaller numbers of RED-NECKED PHALAROPE also move through in spring and fall.  There are several records of RED PHALAROPE as well.  Large numbers of peeps--mainly WESTERN SANDPIPER come through, mixing in lesser numbers of birds that would otherwise be rare in Utah, including: SEMIPALMATED, PECTORAL, and BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN, RED KNOT, and SANDERLING.  But those birds are jsut the tip of the iceberg.  Almost annually other shorebirds are recorded here including: AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, WHIMBREL, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.  This congregation of shorebirds leads to the real rare stuff, including: CURLEW SANDPIPER, RUFF, WANDERLING TATTLER, BUFF-BREASTED and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and the states only SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER.  The list goes on and on.  But the spring and fall shorebird migration is augmented by the winter sea ducks that show up here.  All 3 SCOTERS and LONG-TAILED DUCK are usually recorded yearly as well.  Gulls are a sight here year round.  During the breeding season 1,000's of California and FRANKLIN'S GULLS line the causeway.  Each fall 100's and sometimes upwards of 1,000 BONAPARTE'S GULLS pass through.  Along with these tiny gulls, the occasional SABINE'S GULL is found and there are several records of both LITTLE GULL and BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE.  The causeway has also had several sighings of both PARASITIC and POMARINE JAEGER. The winter is also a good time to look for rare northern songbirds like SNOW BUNTING and LAPLAND LONGSPUR along the edges of the road.  There was a one day wonder SNOWY OWL here on December 2, 2011--a bird many suspect should show up at this location more often.  If you are going to be in Salt Lake City during the fall, winter, or spring, and have a day or even a half day, the causeway is the one place most birders would recommend you must visit.

Directions:
In Layton, take I-15 exit 332 west bound onto Antelope Drive for about 7 miles to the entrance station to the park.

Antelope Island photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Antelope Island State Park is a 28,800-acre park, surrounded by the Great Salt Lake, and open year round.  The northern portion of the island is mostly grasslands and shrubsteppe as well as arid hillsides. The southern portion has a small mountain range that has some coniferous and aspen forest. There are also numerous springs on the island that provide riparian habitat.  The most notable is at Fielding Garr Ranch, which is one of the most prolific migrant traps in Utah. On the island are now the following locations in eBird:

Antelope Island (island only)
Marina
Visitor Center & Loop Road
Lady Finger Point
White Rock Bay
Road to Garr Ranch
Garr Ranch
South
Backcountry (incl. Frary Peak Trail)

But the most notable birding location in the park is The Causeway, a 6 mile road connecting the mainland to the north end of the island.  Being a state park there is a daily or annual fee to enter, as well as the Davis County Causeway fee specific to this park.

Birding:
Antelope Island is the most popular birding destination in Utah.  Utah birders flock to the causeway and island almost every week of the year in search of birds.  The causeway is world renowned for the enormous flocks of shorebirds, specifically WILSON'S PHALAROPE, and EARED GREBES that can be found here during migration.  Gulls, waterfowl, divers, and waders can all be found along various stretches of the causeway.  More information about the specifics can be read on the causeway page.  The island is a great location to see CHUKAR, BURROWING OWL, ROCK WREN, SAGE THRASHER, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and LARK SPARROW during various times of year.  LONG-EARED, SHORT-EARED, GREAT HORNED, and BARN OWL are also permanent residents here.  Garr Ranch has an impressive list of songbird migrants.  It's remote location on the southeast side of the island is literally an oasis in a salty desert. You can read more about birding specific locations at the park through the links above!

Directions:
In Layton, take I-15 exit 332 west bound onto Antelope Drive for about 7 miles to the entrance station to the park.  After paying an entrance fee continue 6 miles across the causeway to the island.

ISSR at Sunset photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Rio Tinto Kennecott has transformed acreage once dominated by over-grazed lands, salt evaporation ponds and illegal dumps into a 3,670-acre shorebird and waterfowl reserve along the south shore of Great Salt Lake. It was created under a mitigation plan developed in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to offset the loss of 1,000 acres impacted when the company expanded its tailings impoundment in 1996. Over 120,000 birds use the reserve annually. In 2004, the area became an Important Bird Area (IBA) and is now part of BirdLife International's IBA Program. The reserve is generally closed to the public and can only be accessed via guided trips, during bird festivals, and other public events.

Birding:
Since this location is closed to the public, if you have the opportunity to go here you will be with a guide that knows the area.  The ponds on the property are a haven for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and waders, and plays hosts to a number of migrant songbirds as well.  The unique location on the south shore of the  Great Salt Lake put it right in the patch of many waterbirds that otherwise would never be recorded in Salt Lake County.  Some of the more notable sightings form here include DUNLIN, RED KNOT, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, SABINE'S GULL, and surprisingly dozens of neotropical migrants that show up in the salt cedars during migration.

Directions:
The ISSR is reached via the North Temple Frontage Road between 7200 West and Saltair in Salt Lake County.