16-16 Pond Fields from Google Street View

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Description:
Just north off 2200 South along 1600 West in Logan there are a couple of ponds, and a river.  One pond sits about a block east closer to US-89 with a  canal running west then south to the intersection of 2200 south and 1600 west.  At what would be about 2000 South a creek goes under the road with a marsh/wetland and riparian habitat bordering it.  This loops to the west creating a long "pond".  South of the is a larger pond which is completely surrounded by farm fields.  I am not sure what access is like to the actual ponds, but the riparian and marsh area at 200 south on 1600 west is along the public road and can be birded easily.

Birding:
Not nearly as popular or well known as nearby 20-20 Ponds, 16-16 access appears to be more limited with the actual ponds in the area all being back from the roads and not visible without permission to enter the private property surrounding them.  However, there is no public information on birding here, so this is just an assumption.  From 1600 West as mentioned there is a creek, and riparian habitat visible along with the obvious farm land.  WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE are all found here relatively easily.  It looks like most visits happen form fall through spring.  MARSH WREN, BELTED KINGFISHER, and MOURNING DOVE are also reported frequently while variety of waterfowl and a small number of other species are occasionally seen here.

Directions:
From US-89 at 1000 West south of downtown Logan, go south on US-89 for .4 miles. Turn right onto 2200 South and go .3 miles.  Turn right onto 1600 West and continue .3 miles till you reach the pond.

Charleston City Park from Google Street View

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Description:
Charleston City Park is a small town park about 1/10 mile wide by 1/10 mile long.  It sits in the southwest corner of Charleston, just off the shore of Deer Creek Reservoir.  The park is mostly grass covered but there is a small playground on the west side.  Various deciduous and coniferous trees line the streets surrounding the park, while the east half is open space.  The entire perimeter can be walked in about 5 minutes, or birded well in under 10.

Birding:
For a number of years there was a specific reason to travel to Charleston City park in the summer months--breeding COMMON GRACKLE seemed to be an easy get here. Otherwise the birding is typical of other sots in Heber Valley; MOURNING And EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE are rampant--WESTERN KINGBIRD, SAY'S PHOEBE, and  various species of SWALLOW might be seen in the summer months.  RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, AMERICAN ROBIN, and AMERICAN KESTREL are often present as well.  If passing by Deer Creek in the spring or summer, its probably worth a quick stop to see if the grackles are still using the pines in the southwest corner of the park.

Directions:
From the intersection of Main Street and 1200 South/US-189, head southwest on US-189 for 3.2 miles.  Turn right on to 3600 South and go .5 miles till you reach the park and parking lot on your right.

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.

Antelope Drive from Google Street View

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Description:
Antelope Drive is the road leading from I-15 to the entrance station at Antelope Island State Park.  The road is a high traffic route that most birders traveling to the causeway use to get there.  Historically the western reaches of the road were predominantly agricultural.  In recent years the rapid expansion of Syracuse has encroached on most of this leaving very little grassland, agriculture, and open habitat.  However there remains a little bit of habitat here west of 3000 West.  Glen Eagle Golf Course is also found along this route, where several ponds and wet areas visible from the road.  Within the next decade it is possible the surrounding farm land will all be replaced with urban sprawl.

Birding:
This location isn't really a hot spot--but it gets a lot of birders.  The term hot spot is actually a poor choice of terminology that eBird adopted and we use because of them.  This is however a birding location, that lots of birders submit checklists for because of the birds they see on the way to the causeway.  Most birding done here is simply from the car.  Occasionally there are sightings of note that make it worth a quick pull to the side to scan or scope. Interestingly almost all checklists are from the spring migration period form here while summer, fall and winter checklists are rarely reported.  Spring is when the island is most visited by birders, but undoubtedly there are birders on this road every week of the year.  The most notable bird seen along the route is usually the AMERICAN CROW. Sometimes numbering in the 1,000's this species is reliably seen along this route year round. EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE are also omni-present, as are the typical urban fare.  During the spring it is not unusual to see large flocks of WHITE-FACED IBIS in flooded fields--but that may be a thing of the past with the development happening.  These same fields are often good spots for migrant CANADA GEESE.  Various raptors can be seen along the route.  During the winter months MERLIN is possible.  RING-NECKED PHEASANT is occasionally seen from the road, as are flocks of RED-WINGED, YELLOW-HEADED, and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS.  Near the intersection with 1000 west GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE are often seen near the 7-11, McDonald's, or in the Smith's parking lot.  If you notice birds while traveling to or from the island, its worth submitting a checklist to help add to the data pool for this not-so-hot-hot-spot.

Directions:
From I-15 in Davis County take exit 332 for Antelope Drive to Antelope Island. Heading west the road continues 7 miles till you reach the state park entrance.

Zions Gate RV Park from Google Street View

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Description:
This tiny private RV park sits just off SR-9 in west Hurricane.  Gravel lots lined with trees and several large conifers are surrounded by arid desert fields.  The residents have been friendly to birders for years, so please be courteous and don't walk into their yards.

Birding:
The reasons that birders come to Zions Gate is simple--INCA DOVES.  For the better part of the last 20 years this has been the go to spot in Utah for this species.  However, in recent years as collared-doves have moved in and their population has exploded the doves have become harder to find here, and are seen more often in nearby neighborhoods.  They are still reported form time to time, so if you are searching it's worth stopping here to check.  Walking the streets through the park and scanning the trees and ground are your best bet.

Directions:
From SR-9 between I-15 and Hurricane, turn north onto 3700 West (opposite the entrance to Sand Hollow State Park).  Drive one block to the RV park on the right, turn in and park in the lot in front of the club house.