5th West from Google Street View

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Description:
This trail leads from the southwest edge of Provo along a canal into a marsh and wetland area on the edge of Utah Lake.  The first part of the walk passes through degrades farm and grassland, with a riparian component--dominated by Russian Olives.  Further south the area consists of mostly marsh and wetland, with some riparian habitat--and the lake to the south and west.  During the summer month it is a mosquito haven, so be prepared for lots of bugs.

Birding:
Although this location can be visited year round, the bugs like deter most folks in the summer and early fall.  Most visits are from winter, through May when a variety of waterfowl are present including: GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL.  There is a mid-winter report of WOOD DUCK from here as well.  CALIFORNIA QUAIL can be found along the northern section of the trail, while RING-NECKED PHEASANT can be found throughout.  NORTHERN HARRIER might be seen hunting here, and a variety of other raptors are possible.  VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA can be found--often heard during the spring in the wet areas.  NORTHERN FLICKER, AMERICAN KESTERL, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, AMERICAN ROBIN, and SONG SPARROW are common year round here.  During the winter flocks of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS fill the bushes here.  During migration warblers can be found in the trees, and MACGILLIVRAY'S, WILSON'S, and YELLOW have all been seen here.  COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and MARSH WREN can be heard singing in the marsh all summer long. GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE are occasionally see here, straying from the parking lots across the freeway to likely breed nearby. In the past there has been an OSPREY nest in the trees 1/4 mile to the west and a trail to the south that leads to the lake shore.

Directions:
From I-15 Exit 263 in Provo go north on University Avenue for .4 miles.  Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Towne Centre Drive and go .6 miles.  Turn left onto 1200 South and follow it for 700' as it bends north.  Take the sharp left onto 500 West and go south for .6 miles till you reach the end of the road and the access point.

1200 W 1700 N from Bing Birds Eye View

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Description:
In the northwest corner of Logan this area is a wetland and marsh area, surrounded by grasslands, and the city to the east.  There is no other information online about this location, so if you have been or can add anything, don't hesitate to comment below.  It appears there is some shorebird habitat based on the species found here and along with the marshy habitat this is the focus.

Birding:
Most visits to the area appear to be from May and August, assuming this is specifically for shorebirds and potentially passerine migrants it eh riparian areas.  In May look for SNOWY EGRET, WHITE-FACED IBIS, SWAINSON'S HAWK SORA, and WILLET.  WILSON'S SNIPE and KILLDEER are probably found year round, along with AMERICAN KESTREL NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and WESTERN MEADOLWARK.  During fall migration shorebirds appear to be the focus and in August you might see: SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, and BAIRD'S, SEMIPALMATED, WESTERN, SOLITARY, and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.    This array of shorebirds is a nice grouping for such an area in Cache County.  A variety of songbirds have been reported in the fall as well including: AMERICAN PIPIT, YELLOW WARBLER, CHIPPING SPARROW, and LAZULI BUNTING.  Notably a mid-summer record for BOBOLINK suggest this species might breed in the area.

Directions:
From the intersection of Main Street and US-89 in Logan, head north on Main for .8 miles. Turn left onto 1000 North and go 1.3 miles. Turn right onto 1000 West and go .5 miles. Turn left onto 1400 North for .3 miles before turning right onto 1200 West and going another .2 miles and you reach the location on the left..

Talons Cove from Google Street View

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Description:
Talons Cove borders the northwest corn of Utah Lake, and provides an interesting set of habitats for birding while golfing.  You could technically bird the streets along the course here, but much like other courses in the area, this is more of a golfing destination than a birding destination, although for birding it is an excellent golf course! 18 holes of mostly open terrain, surrounded by minimal grasslands and shrubsteppe.  Small trees can be found along the course in various locations, with a few areas of thick russian olive.  2 ponds i the northeast corner of the course provide wetland and marsh habitat, and the lake is visible form the course.  Wetlands along the shore are close enough that with binoculars you could make out some species on the lake.  The front 9 is much birdier than the back from my experience here.

Birding:
Talons Cove really is a great course for birding.  The mix of habitats provides great opportunities for various species.  During the summer months is the best time to visit the course, and you'll likely encounter HORNED LARK, WESTERN KINGBIRD, and CLIFF & BARN SWALLOWS through out the course.  At the marshy areas on the ponds, you can expect YELLOW-HEADED and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS.  COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and MARSH WREN can usually be heard at these spots as well.  Along the lake front areas scanning you will likely see and or hear CASPIAN TERN, WESTERN GREBE, NORTHERN HARRIER, and AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.  In the riparian areas, and the spots with dense russian olives songbirds are abound.  YELLOW WARBLER, LAZULI BUNTING, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE are common.  BLUE GROSBEAK have been observed at the course, and prefer these area on the east edge.  Like most golf courses the access is limited to the edges, unless you're golfing--luckily here there are a lot of edges that can be birded.  If you are passing through during the summer, stop in for a few minutes and see what's singing!

Directions:
From the intersection of Redwood Road and Pioneer Crossing in Saratoga Springs, head south on Redwood Road for 3.9 miles.  Turn left onto Fairway Blvd and go 225'.  Turn left and go .1 miles to the parking lot and club house.

Bountiful Landfill from Google Street View

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Description:
The Bountiful City Landfill is a large landfill in the city of Bountiful sitting on the southeast edge of Farmington Bay WMA, and just north of Bountiful Pond.  The landfill is bordered by several bodies of water, and mostly empty fields, with some marsh and wetland habitat.  The actual landfill is--a landfill, and is used very frequently by locals to dump their trash.  Access to the landfill proper has been hit or miss over the years.  In the 90's and early 2000's it was as simple as saying you wanted to go look at birds and they would usually let you drive in, just asking that you stay out of the way.  In recent years they have form time to time turned birders away.  You might even go so far as to pay the fee to dump if you want to get in.  The popularity of the location as a birding site has waned in the past decade, mostly due to better, safer access,  and gulling opportunities at other locations.

Birding:
If you were interested in gulls and lived in Utah in the late 90's or early 2000's, you probably spent some time at the Bountiful Landfill plugging your nose, while scanning the various gulls in the middle of winter. In 2004 when a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was found here, it became a go to location for birders to search.  Aside form the throngs of CALIFORNIA and RING-BILLED GULLS present there were always a nice mix of variously aged HERRING GULLS to look at.  THAYER'S GULL could usually be found in the mix, and occasionally GLAUCOUS and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS were picked out.  There is even a record for WESTERN GULL.  Various other birds you normally find at dumps are here as well--flocks of starlings, blackbirds, pigeons, and ravens are not uncommon.  Various raptors hunt the perimeter, and birds form the marshes surrounding can often be heard and seen. I stopped going to the landfill after Lee Kay Ponds and Farmignton Bay really started being the gull magnets they are.  There are probably quite a few good gulls still using the dump, and if you live in the area, it might be worth checking from time to time in the winter.

Directions:
From the Legacy Parkway, take Exit 4 on to 500 South.  Head west towards the frontage Road, and continue 2.2 miles.  You will pass Bountiful Pond on your left and keep going straight until you reach the entrance to the landfill straight ahead.

Blue Creek looking North from Google Street View

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Description:
Blue Creek is a small stream that crosses Golden Spike Drive just outside the entrance to Golden Spike NHS.  Further south the creek meets several springs and forms a wetland habitat which is completely surrounded by farms, grasslands and shrubsteppe.  Blue Creek can be birded from the road, but I am not sure about access to the springs further to the south--there do appear to be some roads off of Promontory Road leading into the area, but I assume this is all private property.  The hot spot is the 2 mile stretch of road from UT-83 to the slight right into the historic site towards the Big Fill--and it can extend as far north or south as you can see or access from here I suppose.

Birding:
I just submitted the first checklist for this location and wanted to get it on the map.  Being that it is the only water source in this tiny depression/valley it seemed worth being a stop on the way into or out of Golden Spike NHS.  Given the habitat many of the birds you are likely to see here, you will also see in the park, but since it is a water source, there will likely be a few other notables here.  RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were busy singing when I visited, and AMERICAN ROBIN were calling from the sagebrush here.  WESTERN MEADOWLARK are common, while other species you should expect to encounter year round include: HORNED LARK, COMMON RAVEN, RED-TAILED HAWK, and probably MALLARD.  Please take a moment while in the area to submit a list here to help build out this location--it has likely been birded many times before, but the species lists were just included in the Golden Spike NHS location.

Directions:
From I-15 exit 365 head west on UT-13 for 2.5 miles to Corinne.  Continue straight onto UT-83 for another 17.4 miles. Turn left following signs onto 7200 North/Golden Spike Drive. The road and this hot spot continues for 2 miles before entering Golden Spike NHS.  Blue Creek is 1.1 miles from the turn off of UT-83.