36th Street Trailhead from Google Street View

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Description:
36th Street Trailhead, located at the top of 36th Street in Ogden, is a popular trailhead for accessing several area hiking trails. The Trailhead accesses three area trails:

Foothill Loop which is a Jogger/mountain bike trail along Mt. Ogden Golf Course which is mostly urban habitat, with a riparianish feel from the number of big trees, and  a good deal of mixed oak woodland; Strong's Canyon which is a 1/2 mile trail through the forest and up the canyon along a riparian corridor with mixed oak woodlands bordering it and links to Bonneville Shoreline Trail--which is the 3rd trail following the foothills an the typical mixed oak woodlands.  You can reach several interesting objectives from the 36th Street Trailhead including Waterfall, Taylor, and Beus Canyons.

Waterfall Canyon: Hike up Strong Canyon trail to its end ~1/2 mile. There is a small footbridge and a sign. Go North (left) on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for ~1.2 miles. Taylor Canyon: Hike up Strong Canyon trail to its end ~1/2 mile. There is a small footbridge and a sign. Go North (left) on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for ~1.2 miles. Cross the small foot bridge next to Waterfall Canyon Trail and continue on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for another mile. Beus Canyon: Hike up Strong Canyon trail to its end ~1/2 mile. There is a small footbridge and a sign. Go South (Right) on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for ~1.2 miles.

The Strong Canyon area is a popular area for evening hiking and mountain biking. During the winter/late fall the trails are beaten down but the Strong Canyon trail does get a fair amount of ice. During the summer, the area is crowded with dog-walkers, hiker groups and mountain bikers which makes it harder to enjoy.

Birding:
There have only been a handful of checklists submitted from here despite the apparent number of hikes possible from the trailhead.  As expected in the lower areas where the oak is dominant, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, and SPOTTED TOWHEE are present.  Some other species notably located here include MACGILLLIVRAY'S and VIRGINIA'S WARBLER which might be migrants, but potentially breed in  the canyons mentioned above.  WESTERN TANAGER, CHIPPING SPARROW, and HERMIT THRUSH have also been reported.  During the winter there is a report of NORTHERN GOSHAWK, and GOLDEN EAGLE likely nest in one of the canyons above as they are seen soaring overhead from time to time. With a small species list the actual bird diversity here is not well represented and many more species can probably be found with a few visits in the spring and fall.

Directions:
From the intersection of 36th Street and Harrison Blvd in Ogden, head east on 36th Street for .6 miles.  Turn left and park at the trailhead.

21st Street Pond from Google Street View

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Description:
The pond is 29 acres with a maximum depth of 9'. Its water from the the Ogden River, which collects water from a 323 square mile watershed area. There is a controlled water outlet to help maintain the proper lake level. The riparian habitat surrounding the lake makes for an excellent habitat on the edge of Ogden.  A path follows the perimeter of the lake making for a nice easy walk.

Birding:
Not an overly popular birding site there are only a handful of checklists spread out during the year form here.  In the winter waterfowl can be found, and aside from COMMON MERGANSER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and GADWALL, there has been WOOD DUCK observed here.  During the spring, summer, and early fall waterbirds like AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON might be found.  CALIFORNIA GULL are found year round, and CASPIAN TERN are present in the warmer months.  WARBLING VIREO, WESTERN KINGBIRD, YELLOW WARBLER, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE are common summer songbirds.  There have been a couple notable finds here including a May BLACK PHOEBE, a September OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, and a June LEAST FLYCATCHER.  AMERICAN DIPPER can be found along the river on the north side of the pond as well, while AMERICAN CROW are seen passing through the area from time to time.

Directions:
From I-15 Exit 343 in Ogden, go east for .9 miles on 2100 South till you reach the turn in for the pond on your left.

Powder Mountain photo by Mike Hearell

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Description:
Powder Mountain Ski Resort is located in the Wasatch Back along the Weber/Cache county line near Eden. It is accessible year round via county roads, but the resort is only open during ski season. There are multiple condos and cabins that dot the landscape. You can bird open brush, conifer, aspen, and mountain mohogany covered hillsides.

Birding:
Wasatch Audubon helps in maintaining a feeder located by the Powder Ridge Condos that makes this Utah's premiere location for viewing ROSY-FINCHES during Winter months. Both Black and Gray-crowned can be located here during this time, as well as STELLER'S JAY, CLARK'S NUTCRACKER, MTN CHICKADEE, and HAIRY WOODPECKER. Other high elevation birds can be found here as well, but with a little less regularity. These include CASSIN'S FINCH, PINE SISKIN, RED CROSSBILL, and PINE GROSBEAK. During the warmer months SAPSUCKERS and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS use the area for nesting, and DUSKY GROUSE are found here regularly. Nocturnal birding is good for NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL during the Spring and Fall, COMMON POORWILL is easily located during the Summer.

Directions:
As you approach the dam at Pineview Reservoir from the west along SR-39 turn left onto UT-158 and go 11.6 miles until you reach the resort.

Thanks to Mike Hearell for this location submission.

Pioneer Road Marsh photo by Mike Hearell

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Description:
This marsh complex is located in Marriott-Slaterville in the western portion of Weber County. It is surrounded by private property but can be viewed from a pullout along Pioneer Rd. It is a mudflat with a drainage of water running through the middle most of the year, but is flooded during irrigation season. The canal has water year round, but is much deeper during Summer months. During cold extreme cold weather the marsh itself will freeze up, but the canal stays mostly open.

Birding:
 During the Winter this is one of the very few locations to find gulls. Mixed in with the expected species, MEW GULLS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS have both been observed here. During Spring this is a good spot to locate wading birds including AMERICAN AVOCET, BLACK-NECKED STILT, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and both species of YELLOWLEGS. AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS also frequent the marsh during this time. Fall is the best time to visit as the migrating WATERFOWL use this area as a rest stop.  Depending on the time of year the canal can have multiple species of GREBES, DIVING DUCKS, BELTED KINGFISHER, and has even had a TRUMPETER SWAN.

Directions:
Take the 400 N (Weber County Fairgrounds) exit off of I-15 and head west 2.9 miles to the pullout.

Thanks to Mike Hearell for this location submission.

Pineview Reservoir photo by Mike Hearell

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Description:
Pineview Reservoir is a 2870 acre body of water located approximately 10 miles east of Ogden in Weber County. At 4900' above sea level it was constructed in 1937 when the Ogden River was dammed. It is surrounded by agricultural, shrub steppe, and riparian habitats. Although the camping areas and the Cemetery Point Picnic Area require fees, the vast majority of this reservoir can be birded at no charge.

Birding:
Birding is at its best in early Spring and late Fall when the water isn't frozen but, the water temps are too cold for recreational boating. The best way to look for birds is scanning the waters surface from one of the many pull-offs with a spotting scope or viewing birds in the areas surrounding the reservoir. Nesting OSPREY on the north arm and BOBOLINK in the surrounding agricultural fields are birds to be expected during late spring,while such rarities as PACIFIC LOON, TRUMPETER SWAN, RED-NECKED and HORNED GREBE, WHITE-WINGED and SURF SCOTER have all been reported. BLACK ROSY-FINCH might be found during colder months.

Directions:
From the 12th Street exit off I-15 take SR-39 (12th Street) east for approximately 10 miles.

Thanks to Mike Hearell for this location submission.

Rainbow Unit Trailhead photo by Mike Hearell

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Description:
This eBird Hotspot is located in NW Weber County approximately 20 minutes west of I-15. From the parking area you have year round access (walk-in, horseback and bicycle only) to the west end of the Rail Trail and access to Harold S. Crane from September 1 - March 1. The area is mostly playa and mudflats with some brackish sloughs mixed in. The Harold S. Crane portion (Sep-Mar) allows motorized traffic to the west and walk-in only traffic to the north.

Birding:
The best time of year to bird this eBird hotspot is during the Winter months. Locally this location is known best for the three MOUNTAIN PLOVERS found on Christmas Day 2012. Birds more likely to be found during the Winter are SNOW BUNTINGS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS and SHORT-EARED OWLS. This is also a very reliable spot for Horned Larks, American Tree Sparrow, Barn Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Merlin, Prairie Falcon and Peregrine Falcon.

Directions:
Take the 12th Street exit off of I-15 and head West on 12th. Head west on 12th Street for 6.7 miles where you will turn North on 6700 W. Take 6700 W 4.1 miles to the North where it dead ends in the parking area.

Thanks to Mike Hearell for this location submission.

2700 North Pond photo by Mike Hearell

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Description:
Although this retention pond is surrounded by a chain-link fence and is posted as no trespassing, it's one of the easiest spots in Weber County to view migrating and nesting waterfowl. It is located in Pleasant View on the north side of 2700 N at approximately 900 W. 2700 N is a main thoroughfare but, there is an extremely wide and paved shoulder with an additional 8 feet of sidewalk to avoid traffic. The surrounding habitat is residential and agricultural.

Birding:
As soon as the shooting begins for waterfowl season in the fall, this pond fills up with ducks and geese. In early Fall it will have a wide variety of resident dabbling ducks, Canada Geese and mergansers. By late Fall it be covered with migrating geese, dabbling ducks, bay ducks and mergansers. In the Spring the pond's 3 islands make for great nesting areas for resident Canada Geese. This pond will hold waterfowl all year but during hunting season is when you will find the most variety including CANVASBACKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, all 3 species of merganser, CACKLING GEESE and the occasional HYBRID.

Directions:
The pond is located 1.4 miles East of I-15. Take the 2700 N - Pleasant View exit and head East on 2700 N for 1.4 miles. The pond is on the North side of the road so a U-turn is required (if approached from the East no U-turn is required).

Thanks to Mike Hearell for this location submission.

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.

South Ogden Nature Park from Google Street View

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Description:
Easy, paved loop trail in city park, about 1 mile, at end of Burch Creek, in South Ogden; some gentle elevation changes. Restroom in adjacent playground area. Some benches along the trail. No fee. Creek and heavy vegetation in center of loop; residences above (many with feeders). Directions below are to the parking area, but there are footpaths to the trail from surrounding neighborhoods (visible from GoogleEarth). Parts of trail overlook Uintah and the Weber River.

Birding:
Birds mostly in creek/vegetation area in center of loop, some residences above the trail have well-visited feeders.  Have never seen anything really unusual there, but generally, in season: BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (@ feeders), BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (@ feeders), RING-NECKED PHEASANT, CALIFORNIA QUAIL, ACCIPITERS, BUTEOS, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK,  and WESTERN SCRUB-JAY.

Directions:
Address: 5875 South 1175 E, behind the Ogden Athletic Club, South Ogden. From US89/Washington Bl. in South Ogden, turn west on 1050 E (signal, Tunex, Manor Care, Catholic church); go 1 block to stop sign @ 5700 S & turn left; right on 1075 E; left on 5750 S, which curves around and becomes 1100 E; turn left @ 5850 S and then right in front of the Ogden Athletic Club driveway. Small parking area in front of splashpad. Trail starts in front of the 1st house on your right as you face the splashpad. Park is heavily used in the summer, so parking could be limited (don't know how carefully Ogden Athletic Club polices its adjacent lot), but on-street parking should be available.

Thanks to Pat Bausman for this location submission.

Beus Pond photo by Brent Muno

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Description:
Beus Forest Green Park is located in east Ogden at the feet of the Wasatch Mountains.  The park is a riparian area and forest, best known for Beus Pond located there.

Birding:
The pond is really known for its resident population of WOOD DUCKS that are present year round.  For a number of years MANDARIN DUCKS have also been present year round.  Other waterfowl and waterbirds also use the small pond and various songbirds use the surrounding woodlands.  The path that runs through the forest around the pond is great for migrant songbirds during the spring and fall.  YELLOW WARBLER, WESTERN TANAGER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, and LAZULI BUNTING are all present along with lots of other songbirds.  PACIFIC WREN, VARIED THRUSH, and WORM-EATING WARLER are the notable birds that have been found here.

Directions:
From Harrison Blvd in Ogden, take 40th S/Country Hills Drive, eastbound for .6 miles and turn into the parking are on your right.

Beus Pond photo by Brent Muno

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Description:
Beus Pond is a small wooded pond in Beus Forest Green Park located in east Ogden at the feet of the Wasatch Mountains.  The riparian area surrounding the pond creates somewhat of a migrant trap, given the location on the edge of the mountains.

Birding:
The pond is really known for its resident population of WOOD DUCKS that are present year round.  For a number of years MANDARIN DUCKS have also been present year round.  Other waterfowl and waterbirds also use the small pond and various songbirds use the surrounding woodlands. VARIED THRUSH and WORM-EATING WARBLER have both been recorded here..  A small path walks around the pond and through the woods.  For more information on the birds of the park check out the Beus Forest Green Park page.

Directions:
From Harrison Blvd in Ogden, take 40th S/Country Hills Drive, eastbound for .6 miles and turn into the parking are on your right.