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.

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.

View at 5600 West looking east from Google Street View

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Description:
A paved bicycle/pedestrian trail runs for 2.1 miles along the Utah and Salt Lake Canal Trail, which can be extended as it links with Welcker Memorial Park for an additional 0.8 miles. Park on 5600 W. and Peggy Ln., across the street from Hunter High School. The trail starts on 5600 W. and just slightly North of Peggy Lane, heading in a South Eastward direction. As the canal and trail system is narrow, the habitat consists of developed trees in residential backyards, agricultural and horse properties, two schools and a park--and the canal with a riparian component.

Birding:
NORTHERN FLICKERS are found throughout the trail, though in higher frequency and with more regularity the further East you travel.  A large murder of COMMON RAVENS is found near the LDS Seminary for the John F. Kennedy Jr. High.  The most frequent species encountered is most likely the EURASIAN-COLLARD DOVE. Other species typical of urban sites like AMERICAN ROBIN, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, and AMERICAN GOLDFICH can be found here, while migration will bring a number of passerine species for just a few weeks each spring and fall.  More information about this area will be added as it becomes available.

Directions:
The trail can be accessed via numerous points. Midway Drive at 4700 South and 4140 West; Dartmouth Drive at 2575 South and about 4400 West; 4800 West at 4400 South; 5400 West at 4200 South, and 5600 West at Peggy Lane just south of 4100 south. The quickest point form I-215 west side Belt Route is taking exit 15 west bound along 4700 South for 1.9 miles.  This put you in the southeast most point. You can continue along 4700 West another 1.8 miles to 5600 West. Go .9 miles north and you have reached the Peggy Lane entrance.

Thanks to Mark Patterson 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.

5600 West Traps from Google Street View

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Description:
The 5600 West Traps in Salt Lake County are actually comprised of two locations.  The main location is at 700 South and about 4800 West.   The other location is an L-shape, following two roads--150 South from 5600 West to 5200 West; then 5200 West form 150 South to 300 South.  The first location is a large patch of trees at a power company substation.  A canal runs along the west end here and provides a nice water feature.  The property is private so you can only bird from the road here.  The other location along the L-shape, follows two canals that have a few Russian Olives and other trees.  Both can be birded by foot, or from car.

Birding:
These two areas aren't birded often, but the remote patches of trees can be good during big migration days at nearby locations.  If you are birding the International Center or Lee Kay Pond during spring and fall migration it's worth a short drive out of your way to check these traps.  The main location to the south is by far the best habitat and has had WILLOW FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, NASHVILLE WARBLER (a rare spring record), CHIPPING SPARROW, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE among other migrants.  CALIFORNIA  QUAIL can be found in the cover here or further west along 700 south.  The secondary location typically has some ducks or other waterbirds, but during migration migrant songbirds have been seen here.

Directions:
From SR-201 in West Valley City, take the 5600 West north bound to 700 South and turn right.  Drive several blocks till you come to the large patch of trees on your left at the power company property.  To get to the second area drive back to 5600 West and turn right.  Follow 5600 West to 300 South and turn right.  Go till 5200 West then turn left.   You can also access it from I-80 on the north using the 5600 West exit and going south to 150 South.  Follow 150 south to 5200 West around the RC Willey building to bird the secondary location.  After getting back to 5600 West turn left and go to 700 South.  Turn left and after a few block the main location will be on your left.

7200 West from Google Street View

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Description:
Just a few years ago this location was nothing more than a shortcut between Lee Kay Ponds and Saltair.  Now it has a list of over 100 species, and is  a must stop during migration in the spring and fall to check for shorebirds and other water birds in the playas that fill with water just off the road.  The dirt road runs north and south from I-80 to 1300 South, on the west side of the dump.  Besides the birds, the road is known to be a bit of a sketchy spot for other "activities".  At the time of this writing a police officer pulled over to help a car here and found more than they bargained for. But that's tame compared to some of the other happenings here.  If you see a naked guy running down the road here, just keep going.  If you stop to ask what someone is seeing, you may get a show that you're not interested in.  Basically, unless you see someone you know, or someone with binoculars or a scope, you probably should just avoid everyone else.

Birding:
Lots of duck species have been seen here, including BLUE-WINGED TEAL, CANVASBACK, RED-BREASTED MERGRANSER, and WOOD DUCK.  A decent list of shorebirds has been compiled here including: SOLITARY SANDPIPER, BARD'S SANDPIPER, MARBLED GODWIT, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. 6 species of gull have been reported here including THAYER'S GULLS, and during spring migration BONAPARTE'S GULLS seem to be semi-regular.  All 4 usual Utah falcon species can be observed here--with MERLIN being seen occasionally during the winter.  EASTERN KINGBIRD and LAPLAND LONGSPUR have both been observed here, as have both BLACK and GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH.  The best was to bird here is to drive the road and scope or scan the water where you see birds.  Often one of the best places to check is the road running east on the north end of the dump.

Directions:
From Lee Kay Ponds continue west on 1300 South to the end of the dump where the crossroads is.  Turn right here and you are on 7200 West.  Additionally from I-80 take the 7200 West exit in Salt Lake County and go south.