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.

Point of the Mountain from Google Street View

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Description:
The Point of the Mountain in Utah County encompasses everything east of I-15 from north along the county line across the top of the Flight Park State Recreation Area to Flight Park Road on the East.and following the housing development along the east side all the way south to Cabela's.  This includes the large agricultural bowl just below the freeway.  The habitat on the mountain sides here is mostly grassland and mixed shrubsteppe, along with rocky outcroppings.  How much of the lower reaches of the area will remain birdable are open for debate.  Most of the area may very well be developed in coming years, luckily the flight park should remain for many years.

Birding:
Until a couple years ago the Point of the Mountain was always a good location to see raptors, especially in the winter.  It's no surprise the birds were here--they were often seen riding the thermals off the ridges here; now used by para gliders and part of the Flight Park Recreation Area it makes sense.  The gentle rolling hills, covered in grasslands, and a huge agricultural fields created lots of opportunities for food, and birds were often seen sailing over the fields here.  In the summer SWAINSON'S HAWKS were present ad in the winter RED-TAILED HAWKS were present in decent numbers.  IT was never birded heavily until about 2011 when major construction to the south seemed to really concentrate the hawks in the bowl here during the winter of 11-12'.  The highlight were as many as 6 different HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWKS that could be found most days allowing for great viewing.  GOLDEN EAGLE, BALD EAGLE, NORTHERN HARRIER, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, PRAIRIE, FALCON, PEREGRINE FALCON, AMERICAN KESTREL, and MERLIN were also encountered regularly during the winter that year.  An influx of birders visited the area really helping make it a hot spot.  But by the following winter things dies back down, and the past few years it has been dismal in comparison.  The occasional RED-TAILED HAWK and GOLDEN EAGLE are still seen, but the numbers aren't what they were.  The road to the flight park is good for a few other birds though.  CHUKAR are seen along the lower stretch of the road here; while ROCK WREN can be found at various points along the route.  In the winter HORNED LARK can be found in the area, and are often around the parking area on top.  WESTERN MEADOWLARK are found year round, while WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW are present in the winter.  With more construction happening every week this area may soon be scaled back to just the flight park.  If you visit though start on the south end and stop to scan the bowl form one of the various pull offs.  Spending some time along the road up to the flight park, and lastly a little bit of time wandering around the parking area and the various roads or trails on top you might be able to put together a decent trip list.  In the winter you can sit in your car and scan the sky looking for hawks from various points.

Directions:
From I-15 Exit 284 go east to the first set of lights for the Frontage Road.  Turn left and follow this 2 miles.  You are technically in the hot spot this whole time.  After you've rounded the bowl and are about to the point take the right turn onto Flight Park Road for about 200'.  Keep right and follow the road along the base of the mountain as it goes 1.3 miles up to the Flight Park Parking Area.  In general when birding here, you will bird this route up and down to cover everything well.

Antelope Island from the South from Google Street View

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Description:
This hot spot location is a little confusing as it appears quite a few people use it for checklists anywhere south of the loop road and White Rock Bay.  Although technically the Road to Garr Ranch and the actual ranch are on the south part of the island, the hot spot was created technically to list birds south of Garr Ranch. But others, also use it in the mountains, and on the trails in the back country of the island.  It may be worth splitting this location into "South of Garr Ranch" as well as "Backcountry" to be more specific and clean things up.  The habitat in these 2 areas is very different.  South of the ranch the habitat mirrors that of the road to Garr Ranch where primarily grasslands and mixed shrubsteppe make up the majority of the habitat.  Some riparian habitat around springs is present, while the dry lake bed is visible from the island.  The backcountry differs in that near the mountain range base it includes the above mentioned habitats, but is primarily more canyon based, with some mixed oak woodlands in the canyons  Several springs in the back country actually create quite impressive riparian habitats in said canyons.  The backcountry generally follows a spine down the west side of the island but is more centrally based and doesn't really reach the real south end.

Birding:
For the past few years Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld have conducted a monthly bird survey and a good portion of it has focused on south of Garr Ranch creating a great list of at least 100 species occurring there.  Unfortunately for most birders the area is hard to access, or closed all together. For right now I will be leaving this open to add details later.

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. At the sign where the road splits stay left and continue up the hill till you see the turn off on your left to Garr Ranch.  Turn left and follow this road 10.6 miles.  The road ends here at parking areas for Garr Ranch on your left, and for some of the back country trails to the south on your right.

Park HQ and Corrals from Bing Birds Eye View

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Description:
White Rock Bay is a campground on the north end of Antelope Island.  The exposed land here is predominantly grassland with mixed shrubsteppe.  Shoreline is also visible from here.  The Buffalo Corrals are used for the annual Buffalo Roundup and are located just behind the park offices.  The habitat here is like a "farm" given the corrals, stables, etc.  There is also a hay barn.  The surrounding habitat is predominantly grassland and shrubsteppe..  The area is generally open year round, although a gate to the corral area is occasionally locked.  Lots of visitors make their way here year round thinking they will see Buffalo.  You do occasionally see them along the road here, but they are only in the corrals during the roundup.

Birding:
Birding wise there are a couple birds found here that draw birders.  Namely both BARN OWL and GREAT HORNED OWL nest in the hay barn near the corrals.  Please if you go to see these birds DO NOT GO IN TO THE BARN!  Stay on the perimeter viewing form your vehicle, or as far out as you can to give the birds space.  They have been using this site for years and have grown accustomed to visitors, so please respect the space and keep this a reliable spot for these species for years to come.  SAY'S PHOEBE are often seen here during the warmer months along with SAGE THRASHER, BREWER'S SPARROW, and LARK SPARROW.  HORNED LARK can be found year round along with WESTERN MEADOWLARK.  The most notable sighting in the area was from April 2013 when a pair of MOUNTAIN PLOVER showed up near the campground for 2 days. Just going to show you never know what might turn up, even in the most likely of places.

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. At the sign where the road splits stay left and continue south for 1.6 miles till you reach a turn off on your left to the White Rock Bay.  Turn here and continue straight.  There will be a turn to your right after about 100'--this goes to the campground.  If you want to go to the corrals don't turn and instead continue straight till you reach the park offices.  Continue around the south side of the offices following the road.  It will hit a fence after about 150 yards.  To the left are the corrals, and a small dirt road to the right leads to the barn.

Lady Finger Point from Google Street View

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Description:
Lady Finger Point is a spit of land jutting out of the northwest edge of Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake.  The point is a primarily barren rock with sparse shrubsteppe, and shoreline on 3 sides.  The point is a popular trail on the island and a quick walk from the parking area.  The parking area is along the Visitor Center and Loop Road.

Birding:
There are a couple of birds that birders typically visit this area for. Most notably is the resident population of CHUKAR that are often seen around the visitor center and specifically on Lady Finger Point.  This is the most reliable location in Utah for this species, and perhaps one of the best in the United States.  It can be found year round, usually in the rocky areas, but also passing between in the shrubsteppe.  While looking for this game bird you often will hear or come across ROCK WRENS, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and HORNED LARK.  During the summer months BREWER'S and LARK SPARROW can be found regularly, while SAGE THRASHER and in recent years NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD have been fairly common here.  SAGEBRUSH SPARROW has been reported sporadically from here. On the point CANYON and BEWICK'S WREN have also been found, while various waterbirds are often observed from the point, including DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT and GREAT BLUE HERON which are often seen on Egg Island from here.

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. At the sign where the road splits if you go right you will be on the loop road to the visitor center.  After a few hundred yards there will be a turn out to a parking area on your right.  This is the parking area for Lady Finger Point to the west.

Loop Road from Google Street View

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Description:
The loop road begins when you reach the island. Typically for birding purposes you will want to go to the right at the large sign where the road splits.  From here the road passes through mostly shrubsteppe as it heads west till you reach a pull off at Lady Finger Point.  Lady Finger Point is also a hot spot in eBird and more location can be found on its location page.  The road loops back to the south east here passing through open grassland with mixed shrubsteppe and quite a few exposed rocks.  The Visitor Center rises to your left and can be reached by taking the road up to it.  The habitat surrounding the visitor center is the same, with more exposed rock.  Heading south the habitat is all open grassland and mixed shrubsteppe as you head south along the large beach to your west here.  Imported sand was brought in hoping to make a great beach atmosphere before the lake started receding.  The road eventually turns east and heads across open grasslands before coming to a T intersection.  Going right will take you to the White Rock Bay & Corrals hot spot, or going left will take you back to the north where you can access the Road to Garr Ranch, and Garr Ranch, as well as the Marina, the Causeway, and the start of the loop road again.

Birding:
There are a couple of birds that birders typically visit this area for. Most notably is the resident population of CHUKAR that are often seen around the visitor center, as well as the north part of the loop road.  This is the most reliable location in Utah for this species, and perhaps one of the best in the United States.  It can be found year round, usually in the rocky areas, but also passing between in the shrubsteppe.  While looking for this game bird you often will hear or come across ROCK WRENS, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and HORNED LARK.  During the summer months BREWER'S and LARK SPARROW can be found regularly, while SAGE THRASHER and in recent years NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD have been fairly common here.  SAGEBRUSH SPARROW has been reported sporadically from here, usually near Lady Finger Point.  Further south where the grasslands open up there are several BURROWING OWL burrows where you can usually see these birds from March through the fall.  LONG-BILLED CURLEW are often seen in the fields here.  It's not uncommon to see waterbirds passing over the island, so cormorants, gulls, pelicans, and herons often seen while birding this area.  Feeders at the visitor center have attracted a variety of species in the winter months, including GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH and HARRIS'S SPARROW. In May 2013 a LARK BUNTING was seen on the hillside north of here. No trip to the island is complete without a drive through the loop--you will undoubtedly snag a couple of the main island targets here where photo opportunities are abound since many of the birds have become quite accustomed to the attention.

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. At the sign where the road splits if you go right you will be on the loop which comes back to this sign if you drive the whole loop.

Road to Garr Ranch from Google Street View

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Description:
The road to Garr Ranch is a 10.6 mile paved road that passes through mostly open grassland and shrubsteppe along the east side of Antelope Island heading north to south.  The open habitat passes several springs where russian olive grows are prevalent.  Bison can be see most of the year along this road and despite their calm appearance have killed people who tried to get to close.  Everything off the road unless marked as a trail is closed to visitors, so stay on the road or in designated pull offs to avoid being ticketed.

Birding:
In general you don't just come here to bird the road to Garr Ranch.  You are here because you are going to Garr Ranch--so of course it is worth taking the time to take note of the birds along the way.  Not surprisingly some good stuff does show up along the route, and there are even a few specialty birds that are relatively easy to find here.  The exact number of species occurring along the road is hard top determine--the number in eBird is too high and includes a lot of lists that are obviously from the causeway, the ranch, or the entire island (because Red Knot and Sanderling probably aren't going to be seen here).  With that being said the most notable species seen along this route is the GRASSHOPPER SPARROW which can be found at several locations along the road.  Often just listening in large grassland patches will produce the species in April or May.  This stretch has become the go to place for this species in Utah.  BURROWING OWL, CHUKAR, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, SAGE THRASHER, and ROCK WREN are all seen regularly along the route in the right season.  NORTHERN SHRIKE are often seen here in the winter months. Raptors hunt the open lands here year round with both PEREGRINE and PRAIRIE FALCON being seen sporadically.  During the winter ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS can usually be seen during the drive.  There are some shorebirds that are actually quite common here during the breeding season.  WILLET and LONG-BILLED CURLEW are usually seen and hear right on the road edges.  LONG-EARED, SHORT_EARED, and BARN OWL are reported infrequently along the road; and all three have been known to roost in russian olive patches that are off limits to visitors.  BLUE GROSBEAK are occasionally seen in the summer months at some of these patches, and during migration just about anything could turn up.  ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, COMMON REDPOLL, and LARK BUNTING have all been seen on this 10 mile stretch.  BREWER'S SPARROW, LARK SPARROW, HORNED LARK, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK will be some of the most common birds you see an here all spring and early summer.  The best way to go birding along the road is to stop at the pullouts, overlooks, and spots near springs and tree patches and spend a few minutes listening and watching.  Also keeping your eyes out while your drive for stuff darting across the road, or soaring overhead.

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. At the sign where the road splits stay left and continue up the hill till you see the turn off on your left to Garr Ranch.  Turn left and your are on the road to Garr Ranch, which goes 10.6 miles to the ranch.

Bald Knoll at Sunrise photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Center Creek Canyon follows Center Creek out of Center Creek city on the east end of Heber to the summit of Bald Knoll.  Bald Knoll is one of the furthest south and west "peaks" over 10,000' in the Uinta Mountain Range.  With continuous strings of forest, and tree line a number of species typical of the High Uinta's can be found here at what is basically the extreme southwest of their range from this mountain group.  For birding purposes the canyon above Timber Lakes, following Lake Creek out of Heber is also included in this hot spot with the center point being about Bald Knoll.  The habitat is typical of the higher elevation sites consisting predominantly of coniferous forest, with a good mix of aspen.  The tree line can be found here around 10,000' so there are lots of open "tundra" sections comprising mostly of tall grasses, rock outcroppings, cliffs, and open meadows.  Numerous small springs, creeks, beaver ponds, and other man made holding ponds provide ample water sources.  To date I am the only birder to submit checklists from here, as it is a rather out of the way location, but unique in where it sits in relation to the other peaks in the Uinta range.

Birding:
There really is no right or wrong way to bird this location, or exact spots to go.  One highlight here is the summit of Bald Knoll which can be hiked to as part of your birding.  Another option is to just drive Lake Creek and Center Creek in a loop out of Heber birding along the way.  There are various locations you can stop and hike in the woods looking for birds.  The area is mostly National Forest so open to you for exploration.  The road is closed during the winter, and mostly accessible from June through October.  The summer birding is going to be your typical high Uinta birding.  I have only been in the fall when the leaves are turning and the drive is a nice get away from the valleys.  The birding is fantastic this time of year and a lot of high elevation species are very active and easy to find.  Early in the morning and during the night NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL are encountered on most days.  GREAT HORNED OWL has also been heard.  RUFFED GROUSE are an easy find on the shrub covered hillsides near springs.  In 2014 I was surprised to also find DUSKY GROUSE here for the first time.  During the fall at height of the day when temperatures are up and bird activity is at a lull, the open sky line provides a great opportunity to hawk watch.  RED-TAILED HAWK are common while, NORTHERN HARRIER, GOLDEN EAGLE, SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER's HAWKS, and TURKEY VULTURES fill in as well.  NORTHERN GOSHAWK have been observed several times in the forest here and are occasionally heard calling.  One of the most notable birds found here is GRAY JAY.  There are several other sites where it has been reported nearby including one further south--but it is found with good consistency on and around Bald Knoll. This represents the extreme southwest range of this species in the mountains here. Other corvids including STELLER'S JAY and CLARK'S NUTCRACKER are also present, and even BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE at this high elevation. Mountain finches are in no short supply with CASSIN'S FINCH being common, and PINE GROSBEAK and RED CROSSBILL are found on most outings.  EVENING GROSBEAK has also been recorded here,and during fall migration large flocks of GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES have been observed along the ridge lines of Bald Knoll.  During the height of junco migration 1,000's of DARK-EYED JUNCO of varying sub-species are observed in the meadows here along with other sparrows including WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and GREEN TAILED-TOWHEE. Resident woodpeckers include both HAIRY and DOWNY WOODPECKERS, and more notably AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER which are relatively common at this site.  The species list here only numbers about 50 but the birding is fantastic and close to Salt Lake.  It is also wide open spaces where few people visit making it a great birding location!

Directions:
To reach this specific location a high clearance vehicle is recommended.  From the intersection of Main Street and Center Street in Heber, take Center street east.  Shortly after leaving town it will turn into Lake Creek Road.  Follow this 13 miles past Timber Creek. Here the road will turn into Forest Road FR096 for about a 1/2 mile before turning into FR083. Keep fol owing for 2.2 miles till you reach a junction.  Turn right staying on FR083 for another .5 miles. Here take a slight right onto FR094 which will wind over the tree line on a rocky not-well-maintained road.  Continue for 2.2 miles till you see a pull off on your right.  Pull in here and drive to the trees to park.  The trail continues west form here along a ridge line and continues to Bald Knoll to your northwest. You can also reach this area from Center Creek Canyon, but the Lake Creek Option provides birding through better habitat and a nicer road.

Road to Whites Valley from Google Street View

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Description:
Whites Valley is agricultural land and shrubsteppe northeast of I-15 between Tremonton and the Idaho Border.  The land is all privately held, but the roads cutting across them are open to the public.  The habitat here is the southern extent of the typical agricultural and shrubsteppe habitats found throughout Idaho.  Please do no walk off the roads and into any of the private property.

Birding:
Whites Valley has long been the go to spot in Utah to get both SHARP-TAILED GROUSE and GRAY PARTRIDGE in the same day.  There are several locations like this on the northern fringe in Utah, but Whits is the most popular.  SHORT-EARED and BURROWING OWL both nest here. During the winter months northern sparrows and songbirds like SNOW BUNTING and LAPLAND LONGSPUR might be present. There have also been COMMON REDPOLL here during their irruption years.  During Snowy Owl irruption years this is one of the locations birders often check.

Directions:
Take I-15 north to I-84 west. Follow I-84 to Ranch Exit 32. Turn right. The pavement ends after .3 miles and the road is gravel thereafter. Continue north. You'll reach Whites Valley after approximately 4 miles. The road zigzags west and north across the valley until it ends at two silos; however, the last half mile is marked, "No Trespassing".